JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016 - 181

FOCUS :

IT

Computers, the internet, apps and
mobile phones are at the core of most
businesses and are used to gather,
analyse and produce information.
But IT doesn't just enable you to work;
it also helps you enjoy your downtime, by
connecting with friends on the other side
of the world, finding partners or, perhaps,
playing computer games with someone
who lives just down the road.
It is a fast-moving and constantly
evolving industry which, as a result, has
many well-paid, exciting job opportunities.
This is especially true in the UK, where
the industry is forecast to continue
expanding and to be a key element of
business growth, with hubs in Cambridge,
London, Birmingham and Reading,
where there are large clusters of high-tech
businesses focusing on software,
electronics and biotechnology.
Employment in the sector over the
next decade is projected to grow nearly
five times faster than the UK average,
so now's a great time to join the industry.

What's involved?
There are many sub-sectors of the IT
industry, which all require different skills
and offer varied job opportunities, such as
computer programming, gaming, data
processing and telecommunications.
And while you will normally need a
degree or higher education certificate in
your chosen area, there are also openings
for juniors and graduates from other
disciplines, particularly in gaming, as
long as you can prove you have expert
knowledge of software systems and
have a portfolio of work in the field.
In the private sector, big graduate
employers are typically international
companies such as Accenture, IBM, Cisco,

James says...

IT is one of the most
❛dynamic
sectors in our
economy right now. It's a
thriving market and a
very lucrative one. The
income levels in IT can be
very exciting and it's ever
changing and very
fast moving.
The IT market, from
online gaming to apps, is
a booming sector. To me
they're probably the
future of the UK
economy.

❜

Logica, TATA Consultancy and Microsoft
However, more than half of IT
professionals find roles in other sectors;
big employers include financial services,
retail, telecommunications, public sector
and games development.

Grad openings
Graduates entering the IT and
information services sector can expect
relatively high starting salaries.
According to Ben Broughton, Director
of Premier Group Recruitment, Junior

Developers starting their first jobs after
university typically earn £24,000 to
£26,000 in London, and £21,000
to £23,000 in the southern England,
Midlands or Manchester areas.
For infrastructure support jobs, such
as those working with desktops or
networks: typical first jobs for graduates
pay around £22,000 to £24,000 in
London (approximately 10% higher if the
job is in the finance sector) and £19,000
to £21,000 in southern England, the
Midlands and Manchester.
Sarah Warren, a Managing Consultant
at Haybrook IT Resourcing, says: 'The
typical average salary for a graduate/
entry-level position varies from
£18,000-£27,000 depending on the
type of graduate.
'A candidate with a first in computer
science from one of the top 20
universities can command a much
higher starting salary than someone
with a 2:2 from a lesser university.'

Experience pays
Salaries can rise considerably higher
with experience: according to latest figures
from IT Jobs Watch, the average salary for
Developers is £45,000. For IT Project
Managers, the figure rises to £52,500;
while Technology Consultants, Coders and
people working in web services should
earn around the £50,000 mark.
For those big bucks, however, you can
expect long working hours (employers are
typically more focused on getting a
project done than in sticking to standard
9am-5pm hours). There are also many
freelancing and self-employment
opportunities, so it can be a great choice
for those with families or other
commitments, or if you want to travel.

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 1 8 1
JobsAndCareersWithJamesCaanAutumn2016

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