IT Job Roles & Responsibilities

1. Unit 2: IT Job Roles & Responsibilities Shannon Ciriaco

2. Web Developer • A web developer is responsible for the programming and interactions on a website. They focus on how a site works and how convenient it is for people to use. They should know how to write programming codes, test the website to identify problems and then upload it to a server to be registered with different search engines so more people are able to access it. • This job requires: • Good analytical thinking and problem solving – so when the website is tested and fails, they would know how to work things out • Good knowledge of Web programming language (HTML and Javascript are the most important) • Basic understanding of web technologies • Being able to work well with other people – if they’re working within an organisation, they will have to work with other people to establish a website (web designers, web writers will work along side web developers to make the site look appealing) • Adaptable and learns new techniques quickly - this way their skills are able to improve to become better web developers • Good communication and interpretation skills – so you can work along side a client and do exactly what they want considering that you’re aiming it at their audience/purpose. Source: http://creativepool.co.uk/articles/jobdescriptions/web-designer-and-web-developer-job-description http://targetcourses.co.uk/study-areas/computer-science-and-it/it-job-roles-and-responsibilites-explained http://webdesign.about.com/od/jobs/qt/difference-web-design-web-development.htm

3. WebDesigner • A web designer works closely with a web developer. Designers worry more about the layout of a website rather than the way it works – which is what a web developer does. They should know how to put together principles of design to make a site appealing to the eye of the audience. Out of the people who work to build a website, web designers faces customers more often because they would talk to clients as to how they want a website set-up, ask them what their purpose is/who their audience are etc. • This job requires: • Good communication and interpretation skills – needed for both team work and communicating with a client. Good interpretation comes when they are able to transfer an idea from paper to the computer. • Creativity and imagination – one should be able to get ideas quickly of how to design a site the way their customer has described it. They should be imaginative. • Being able to develop skills quickly • Should expertise in software/programming languages such as HTML or CSS – they’ll have to make things from scratch therefore knowing programming languages (e.g. colour codes, font family codes) will help them a lot • Patience and attention to detail – detailed works require patience. Source: http://creativepool.co.uk/articles/jobdescriptions/web-designer-and-web-developer-job-description http://webdesign.about.com/od/jobs/qt/difference-web-design-web-development.htm http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279599-web-designer-job-description

4. Software Engineer • Software engineers design and program system-level software such as database systems, operating systems and embedded systems. They are usually employed within electronics or telecommunications companies. Software Engineers should understand how both software and hardware function. The job includes interacting with clients to be able to assess what’s wrong and find out what resolution is needed. Their skills are tested when operational problems arise within computer programs and application. • This job requires: • The ability to work in a team • Being able to work under pressure – it’s their responsibility to meet deadlines. • Good problem solving skills – so once a problem occurs, they could assess it and easily come up with a solution to solve the problem • Ability to adapt on different software designs – problems will always occur on different systems/programs so it’s important that they know how different databases works so they can adapt techniques as they go along • Good communication skills – as they would have to talk to customers about certain problems • Relevant programming knowledge – to be able to program the software according to programming rules/techniques Sources: http://targetcourses.co.uk/study-areas/computer-science-and-it/it-job-roles-and-responsibilites-explained http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279039-software-engineer-job-description

5. IT Consultant • An IT Consultant works with industrial and commercial clients who are in need of advice about IT and Business problems. They advise, plan, design and install information technology systems for their clients. Consultants generally provides advice on improving a business’s IT systems to increase efficiency and to improve their services and relationship with customers and shareholders within the business. It’s very much likely that IT Consultants will need to have good communication skills to be able to answer questions, to recommend better solutions for a problem and giving feedback to clients’ suggestions etc. • This job requires: • Being capable of meeting high standards – if they’re recommending things to supposedly improve then it’s expected that this suggestion will help, for example, a company to be better and of a high standard. • Knowledge of designing and installing IT systems – they might have to do these to suit their client’s needs • Analytic skills – one should be able to pick out different ideas of which they could use to recommend solutions to a client or to fix the problem themselves. • The ability to understand both business and technical problems – they should be able to recognise the relation between the two, solve problems and how they might affect each other. For example, better technology offers more service to the public therefore more clients are drawn in to the business meaning more profit for the company. Source: http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279915-it-consultant-job-description http://www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/job-profile/it-consultant.htm

6. Systems Analyst • Systems Analysts are responsible for the complete life-cycle of a new/modified IT system, from analyzing existing arrangements to establishing systems and providing training. They investigate and analyse business problems and then designs systems to solve this problem. Their work is closely related to an IT consultant’s except that they design the system instead of installing it. Their designs are a response to what their clients require. Before designing, they gather information and requirements to identify costs and the time needed to complete the project. The knowledge needed in this type of job is a mix of business and technical. • This job requires: • A few years of experience from graduating a degree in university – the job is quite complicated therefore good range of knowledge from university is helpful • Strong analysis skills • Good written and verbal communication skills – because they need to report the design they make, how they came to the decision of that design (how they think it will improve the business’s IT system) etc. • Team working skills – they might have to work with other programmers to come up with a solution Source: http://targetcourses.co.uk/study-areas/computer-science-and-it/it-job-roles-and-responsibilites-explained http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/279127-systems-analyst-job-description

7. IT Technical Support Officer • Technical support officers are the ‘professionals’ of the IT world. They have a wide range of technical knowledge. They are responsible for the smooth-running of computer systems and ensuring that every user benefits from it. Many technical support officers work for hardware manufacturers and suppliers that solve problems of business customers but most work for end-user companies to support, monitor and maintain the workplace’s technology and responding to each user’s request for help. Like the Systems Analysts, they require specific experience of the related work and knowledge. • This job requires: • Flexibility – as due to the nature of the work, they may be expected to work on call or work extra hours to finish something • Being able to work under pressure – they might be required to work fast as possible to deal with problems and achieve immediate results in all solutions to enable members of staff to get back to using the computers again otherwise, their supposedly work time is being wasted. • Communication and listening skills – they will have to talk to people about how the problem occurred and listening to key points which will help them to give advice to the user will be helpful Sources: http://targetcourses.co.uk/study-areas/computer-science-and-it/it-job-roles-and-responsibilites-explained http://www.prospects.ac.uk/it_technical_support_officer_job_description.htm