Types of jobs: Information technology

• Applications developer
• Database administrator
• Games developer
• Geographical information systems officer
• Information security specialist
• Information systems manager
• IT consultant
• IT sales professional
• IT technical support officer
• Multimedia programmer
• Multimedia specialist
• Network engineer
• Systems analyst
• Systems developer
• Technical author
• Web designer

Applications developer

:Applications developers translate software requirements into workable programming code and maintain and develop programs for use in business. Most will specialise in a specific development field - such as mobile phone applications, accounting software, office suites or graphics software - and will have in-depth knowledge of at least one computer language.

The work of an applications developer differs with a systems developer in that systems software allows a computer to actually run. Users interface with the applications software, which is served by the systems software.

Applications, or 'apps', can be written for a particular system, such as Windows or Android, or across numerous platforms, including computers and mobile devices.

Job titles and specific duties may vary between organisations but the role usually involves writing specifications and designing, building, testing, implementing and sometimes supporting applications using programming languages and development tools.

Applications developers work in a wide range of business sectors, including finance and the public sector. They often work as part of a team with other IT professionals, such as software engineers and systems analysts, and write programs according to their specifications. They may also work on generic products or for individual clients providing bespoke solutions.

Typical work activities

The principal function of an applications developer is to make computers perform specific tasks, based on the client's specifications.

Activities typically include:

• establishing a detailed program specification through discussion with clients;
• clarifying what actions the program is intended to perform;
• breaking down program specification into its simplest elements and translating this logic into a programming language;
• devising possible solutions to anticipated problems;
• working as part of a team, which may be established purely for a particular project, to write a specific section of the program;
• combining all elements of the program design and testing it;
• testing sample data-sets to check that output from the program works as intended;
• conducting testing and installing the program into production;
• reacting to problems and correcting the program as necessary;
• evaluating and increasing the program's effectiveness;
• adapting the program to new requirements, as necessary;
• conducting user acceptance testing to ensure the program can be used easily, quickly and accurately;
• writing detailed documentation for the operation of the program by users and computer operators;
• consulting manuals, periodicals and technical reports to learn new ways to develop programs and maintain existing skills and knowledge;
• updating, repairing, modifying and developing existing software and generic applications.

Database administrator:

A database administrator (DBA) is responsible for the performance, integrity and security of a database. They will also be involved in the planning and development of the database as well as troubleshooting any issues on behalf of the users.

A DBA makes sure that databases have the following qualities:

• data remains consistent across the database;
• data is clearly defined;
• users access data concurrently, in a form that suits their needs;
• there is provision for data security and recovery control (all data is retrievable in an emergency).

DBA roles vary depending on the type of database, the processes they administer and the capabilities of the database management system (DBMS) in use.

Typical work activities

Your level of responsibility will determine the tasks you carry out in the job. Some work may be pure maintenance while other roles will involve you specialising in database development.

Tasks may involve some or all of the following:

• establishing the needs of users and monitoring user access and security;
• monitoring performance and managing parameters to provide fast responses to front-end users;
• mapping out the conceptual design for a planned database;
• considering both back-end organisation of data and front-end accessibility for end-users;
• refining the logical design so that it can be translated into a specific data model;
• further refining the physical design to meet system storage requirements;
• installing and testing new versions of the DBMS;
• maintaining data standards, including adherence to the Data Protection Act;
• writing database documentation, including data standards, procedures and definitions for the data dictionary (metadata);
• controlling access permissions and privileges;
• developing, managing and testing back-up and recovery plans;
• ensuring that storage and archiving procedures are functioning correctly;
• capacity planning;
• working closely with IT project managers, database programmers and multimedia programmers;
• communicating regularly with technical, applications and operational staff to ensure database integrity and security;
• commissioning and installing new applications and customising existing applications in order to make them fit for purpose.

Because of the increasing levels of hacking and the sensitive nature of data stored, security and disaster recovery have become increasingly important aspects of the work.

Games developer

Games developers are involved in the creation and production of games for personal computers, games consoles, social/online games, arcade games, tablets, mobile phones and other hand held devices. Their work involves either design (including art and animation) or programming.

Games development is a fast-moving, multi-billion pound industry. The making of a game from concept to finished product can take up to three years and involve teams of up to 200 professionals.

There are many stages, including creating and designing a game's look and how it plays, animating characters and objects, creating audio, programming, localisation, testing and producing.

The games developer job title covers a broad area of work and there are many specialisms within the industry. These include:

• quality assurance tester;
• programmer, with various specialisms such as network, engine, toolchain and artificial intelligence;
• audio engineer;
• artist, including concept artist, animator and 3D modeller;
• producer;
• editor;
• designer;
• special effects technician.

Geographical information systems officer

Geographic information systems (GIS) are computerised systems used for the collection, storage, analysis, manipulation and presentation of complex geographical information. Previously, this would have been a combination of electronic versions of traditional paper maps and social and economic data.

GIS systems are employed by most sectors of government and commerce and a geographical information systems officer may work for a wide range of employers. Roles can vary but all GIS officers are involved in the production of maps and the analysis of data. They use this to help plan, protect and deliver services or products in areas such as defence, construction, oil, gas, water, telecoms, electricity, the environment, healthcare, transport planning and operation, retail location planning and logistics, insurance and finance.

GIS technology allows many different forms of data (such as the location of rivers and roads, or information about soil or vegetation, or about people) to be overlaid on top of each other on one map. The data can be manipulated so that all the sources have the same scales, allowing complex readings to be taken from the map. This enables people to analyse patterns and better understand relationships between things and the implications of proposed developments and changes.

With such a wide range of possible roles available in the public, private and third sectors, there is even the potential to combine a career in GIS with other interests or passions. As the world becomes more mobile, the rise of applications utilising GPS (global positioning systems), such as geotagging photographs and augmented reality, could lead to new uses for GIS and opportunities in the field.

Information security specialist

Information security specialists' work centres on understanding the risks to the security of information or data.

They analyse where security breaches may occur or have occurred, and repair or strengthen systems against such breaches. This relates to the systems and networks used by companies and organisations to manage their information and information technology.

Information security specialists may have expertise in working with different types of computer networks. These could include networks associated with the government, the defence industry, or the banking sector and, for example, with those associated with:

• laptop;
• mobile telephone and application technologies;
• the Payment Card Industry (PCI);
• cloud computing.

Within the broad field of information and cyber security, there are many roles dealing with its different aspects. These roles do not, and cannot, exist in isolation of each other and it's likely that a specialist working in one area will develop understanding of the work in other areas.

As employers use slightly different job titles for the same role, overlaps between roles can occur. Therefore, when exploring careers in information and cyber security, read job descriptions thoroughly to get an understanding of what's involved with a particular role.

Information systems manager

An information systems manager is responsible for the computer systems within a company. They:

• oversee installation;
• ensure back up systems operate effectively;
• purchase hardware and software;
• provide the ICT technology infrastructures for an organisation;
• contribute to organisational policy regarding quality standards and strategic planning.

Information systems managers work in every size of organisation in the industry and the service sector, usually with a staff of technicians, programmers and database administrators reporting to them.

You'll need experience in the sector, in areas like technical support or operations, before becoming a manager.

Although the title of information systems manager is becoming more common in the ICT sector, job titles may vary. For example, you might be a:

• service delivery manager;
• functional manager;
• systems manager.

IT consultant

An IT consultant works in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. They work to improve the structure and efficiency of IT systems in various organisations.

IT consultants may be used to provide strategic guidance to clients with regard to technology, IT infrastructures and enabling major business processes through enhancements to IT.

They can also be used to provide guidance during selection and procurement as well as providing highly expert technical assistance, and may be responsible for user training and feedback.

IT consultants may be involved in sales and business development, as well as technical duties.

IT sales professional

The work of an IT sales professional falls into three main areas of pre-sales, sales and post-sale support of hardware and software.

The first area involves supporting pre-sales activities by giving detailed information about technical specifications and the ways in which they could meet a customer's needs. This often includes demonstrating those features before a sale. In some cases it also involves responding to a PQQ (pre-qualification questionnaire) and then, if short listed, replying to a more detailed ITT (information to tender) document.

The actual sale involves negotiating a commercial agreement to the benefit of both the customer and supplier.

Technical support, which follows the sale, may include solving faults and problems, or maximising the use of software features, as well as advising on appropriate user training.  

IT technical support officer

IT technical support officers monitor and maintain the computer systems and networks of an organisation. They may install and configure computer systems, diagnose hardware and software faults and solve technical and applications problems, either over the phone or in person. Depending on the size of the organisation, a technical support officer's role may span one or more areas of expertise.

Organisations increasingly rely on computer systems in all areas of their operations and decision-making processes. It is therefore usually crucial to ensure the correct running and maintenance of the IT systems.

IT technical support officers may be known by other job titles including help desk operators, technicians, maintenance engineers or applications support specialists. The work is as much about understanding how information systems are used as applying technical knowledge related to computer hardware or software.

Multimedia programmer

A multimedia programmer works with different multimedia features such as, text, sound, graphics, digital photography, 2D/3D modelling, animation and video to create products such as websites or computer programmes.

Multimedia products mainly work on the internet but can also be used in:

• interactive television;
• information kiosks;
• DVDs;
• CD-ROMs;
• computer games consoles;
• mobile phones. 

Programmers may come from a design or computing background, but the role demands a combination of both creative and technical skills. The multimedia programmer usually works to a designer's specification.

Other common terms for multimedia include:

• new media;
• interactive media;
• digital media;
• online/internet services.

As IT job titles and descriptions aren't standardised, the work of a multimedia programmer may overlap with the role of a web developer or games developer, systems developer or software engineer.

Multimedia specialist

Multimedia specialists combine design and technical knowledge to create information and communication technology (ICT) based products that entertain, educate or inform the user.

Common multimedia products include:

• computer games;
• CD-ROMs;
• DVDs;
• websites;
• catalogue databases.

As well as the vast gaming industry, there is a huge demand for education and training materials within the education, and public and private business sectors. Businesses also require a wealth of advertising and marketing materials to promote their products, and a range of other organisations, such as those that provide information services to the public, need specialist information resource materials.

When the design is complete, multimedia specialists use authoring software to arrange the files in a single program, to enable interactivity and navigation through the product content. They also test and adjust the product to fix any technical problems, and produce documentation describing the creation, content and processes of files.

Network engineer

Network engineers are responsible for implementing, maintaining, supporting, developing and, in some cases designing communication networks within an organisation or between organisations.

Their goal is to ensure the integrity of high availability network infrastructure in order to provide maximum performance for their users, such as staff, clients, customers and suppliers. Networks can include:

• computer;
• voice;
• firewall.

Network engineers may work internally as part of an organisation's IT support team, or externally as part of an outsourced IT networking consultancy firm working with a number of clients.

Other job titles used to refer to this kind of work include:

• network support;
• support engineer;
• IT support engineer;
• helpdesk support;
• network administrator;
• first-line support;
• second-line support;
• security engineer;
• network architect;
• VoIP engineer;
• Cisco engineer;
• systems engineer;
• systems support engineer.

Systems analyst

A systems analyst uses computers and related systems to design new IT solutions, modify, enhance or adapt existing systems and integrate new features or improvements, all with the aim of improving business efficiency and productivity.

They must possess a high level of technical expertise and clear insights into current business practices. Depending on the employer, clients may be internal, e.g. departments within the same organisation, or external.

They:

• examine existing IT systems and business models;
• analyse systems requirements;
• undertake product development;
• implement, configure and test feasible solutions.

They liaise and report to internal and external clients and stakeholders, including colleagues and developers.

An increasingly integrated approach is being adopted as the role evolves, where the client is involved throughout the development process. The analyst acts as liaison between the client and the developers.

They conduct a cost analysis and agree the timeframe to implement the proposed solution. They specify and shape the system requirements and operations, the user interface and output and present the proposal to the client. They work closely with the client team, including commercial managers and software developers, during both the report and implementation phase.

Job titles in the IT sector are fluid, changing with advances in technology, and also varying between organisations.

It is vital to look closely at job descriptions rather than job titles e.g. analysts may be known as systems or business analysts and the trend is currently towards including the term 'solutions' in the job title.

Fourth generation languages (4GL) and object-orientated programming simplify technological language resulting in less of a need for detailed or formalised specification requirements, so traditional boundaries between systems or business analysis and programming have eroded. Overlap with project management is also common.

Systems developer

Systems developers maintain, audit and improve organisational support systems by working on the internal operations of computers, using existing systems or incorporating new technologies to meet particular needs, often as advised by a systems analyst or architect. They test both hard and software systems, and diagnose and resolve system faults.

The role also covers writing diagnostic programs and designing and writing code for operating systems and software to ensure efficiency. When required, they make recommendations for future developments. Depending on the type of organisation, developers can become either systems or applications specialists. 

The work undertaken by systems developers is generally of a highly complex and technical nature, and involves the application of computer science and mathematics in an environment which is constantly evolving due to technological advances and the strategic direction of their organisation.

Job titles and descriptions in IT are not standardised. Systems developers may be called systems programmers, engineers, or web developers. Alternatively, the programming language they use may become part of their title, such as Java or C# developer. The work of a systems developer can also form part of a software engineer or multimedia programmer's role.

Depending on the organisation, a systems developer may have a more defined role and work within a group of IT specialists, which can include systems analysts and systems designers, or they may work solely on testing systems. Nevertheless, as systems developers often manage the support systems required by an organisation to effectively run, the role can also require an employee to communicate effectively and translate the needs of different teams into systems developments.

Technical author

Technical authors help to communicate technical information about products and services in a way that is easy to understand. The information may be presented in the form of user guides for software applications, reference and instruction manuals for appliances, training guides or online help incorporated into software and operating guides. 

They have to establish an understanding of the product or applications and then design and write documentation to explain it to users. They may also provide this information in various other forms including software demos and interactive tutorials, using video, illustrations and graphics.

Technical authors work for a range of industries including automation, avionics, chemical, defence, finance, government, manufacturing, medical and pharmaceutical supplies, nuclear energy, quality assurance, IT and telecommunications, transport and utilities.

Technical authors are also known as information designers/developers, technical writers and technical communicators.

Web designer

Web designers plan, create and code web pages, using both non-technical and technical skills to produce websites that fit the customer's requirements.

They are involved in the technical and graphical aspects of pages, producing not just the look of the website but determining how it works as well. Web designers might also be responsible for the maintenance of an existing site.

The term web developer is sometimes used interchangeably with web designer, but this can be confusing. Web developing is a more specialist role, focusing on the back-end development of a website and will incorporate, among other things, the creation of highly complex search functions.

The recent growth in touchscreen phones and tablet devices has dictated a new way of designing websites, with the web designer needing to ensure that web pages are responsive no matter the type of device a viewer is using. Therefore the need to test websites at different stages of design on a variety of different devices has become an important aspect of the job.