There is an undeniably strong Information Technology (IT) presence in Indian homes, educational institutions, commercial areas, and so on. This has led to the introduction of IT-enabled services (ITES) banishing all geographic boundaries and helping Indians offer their services not only to any part of the country but also to nations across the world.
There are dozens of professionals who work with computers-software engineers, hardware engineers, designers, programmers, analysts, security experts and technicians. Here are some of the more prominent professions that fall under the scope of IT and ITES sector.
Hardware And Software
Hardware refers to computer chips, circuit boards, computer systems and related equipment such as keyboards, modems and printers-physical objects that are part of computer systems. Many people work almost exclusively with computer hardware-designing, installing and maintaining it.
Software denotes the programme you put in to make the computer work. The design and development of computer software is known as ‘software engineering.’ People who develop software are called ‘programmers’. Titles such as ‘Software Developer’ and ‘Software Engineer’ are commonly used for those who work on the development of new systems and applications.
Jobs To Look Out For
Data Entry Operators feed data into computer systems for information to be processed.
Computer Programmers compose instructions for the computer in a language or code which the computer can understand.
Applications programmers write the software program by breaking up each step of a solution in one of the computer languages.
Programmers maintain the instructions, allied programmes or software that control the entire computer system, including the CPU, terminals, printers and disk drives.
Computer Network Specialists/Administrators ensure that networks function well at all times. They are responsible for the security and administration of the networks in companies.
Computer Analysts help companies make the best use of the systems. Systems Analysts solve information problems, analyse the way a company uses and stores data, and design methods to help it run smoothly. Often they supervise programmers who create the code.
Database specialists manage the increasingly large and complex databases that exist today. They design, install, update, modify, maintain and repair computer database systems. They reorganise and restructure data to better suit user needs. They are also called Database Administrators, Database Managers or Information Systems Managers.
Computer Software Engineers create programmes that can use highly advanced computer hardware to do almost anything. They define and analyse problems and help develop computer software applications to effectively solve them.
Computer Hardware Engineers research, design, develop and test computer hardware and supervise its manufacture and installation.
Computer Sales Representatives sell hardware, software and peripheral computer equipment.
Computer Service Technicians install, maintain and service computers.
Internet or Web developers look after the day-to-day site design and creation. Web masters handle the technical aspects of a Web site. The growth of the Internet and World Wide Web created the need for this new breed of Web professionals.
India is one of the most sought after offshore locations for IT-enabled services
Computer teachers train students for careers in the IT and ITES industry.
Technical writers prepare maintenance manuals, assembly instructions, sales promotion material and project proposals in the IT industry.
Personality Profile
For a successful career in the IT industry you need to have, or try to develop these traits:
- Accuracy is important to do all data entry work.
- Network Specialists must be well organised.
- Software engineers need good communication skills and precision.
- Systems Analysts have to be detail oriented.
- Teaching Instructors should possess the ability to communicate with students at their level.
- Salespeople of IT related products need strong marketing skills in addition to product info.
- Web developers must have creativity and imagination, an eye for detail, problem-solving abilities, skill in Web-related programming, and be ready for teamwork and to work under pressure.
Placement Opportunities
Typically, a degree in computer science or engineering would give you the best entry option for a career in computers-be it hardware or software. In reality, highly meritorious students from premier engineering institutions find placement in reputed firms even if they are from other areas of engineering such as ‘Electronics’ or ‘Telecommunication’ to name a few.
However, computer science and engineering graduates from less reputed colleges may not find it so easy to get placed in the IT and ITES sector. Those with an MSc (Computer Science), MSc (IT), MCA (Masters in Computer Applications) or a post graduation in Statistics or Mathematics from reputed universities have a good likelihood of getting software and computer applications jobs.
Diploma holders in computers, electronics or allied engineering disciplines can get into computer maintenance and support services. Engineering graduates, diploma holders and MCAs can find work in technical support and also in the knowledge processing outsourcing (KPO) sector.
Computer science and applications graduates can get into Web development and designing with knowledge of relevant languages such as C , Java, Perl, SQL, and XML in addition to basic HTML.
Entry-level remuneration packages in technical jobs in the IT and ITES areas vary between Rs 7000 to Rs 15000 a month. Nevertheless, the IT and ITES sector holds the promise of huge growth in salaries after a year or two of work experience.
Even MBAs and post graduates in systems management could work as information managers. The starting management cadre salaries are usually more attractive if you are from a premier business school.
In the long run, however, only those who keep themselves updated with the emerging technologies and practices will enjoy a long term advancement prospect in these sectors.
Prominent Institutions
| Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) www.iitb.ac.in www.iitd.ac.in www.iitm.ac.in www.iitr.ac.in www.iitkgp.ernet.in www.iitk.ac.in www.iitg.ernet.in International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) www.iiita.ac.in www.iiit.ac.in Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management (IIITM) IIITM Gwalior: www.iiitm.ac.in IIITM Kerala: www.iiitmk.ac.in IIIT Bangalore: www.iiitb.ac.in |
National Institute of Technology (NIT) www.mnnit.ac.in www.manit.ac.in www.nitc.ac.in www.nitdgp.ac.in www.nitjsr.com www.nitk.ac.in www.nitt.edu www.nitrkl.ac.in www.nitw.ernet.in |
Others BIT Mesra (www.bitmesra.ac.in) BITS Pilani (www.bits-pilani.ac.in ) Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (www.iisc.ernet.in) University of Delhi(www.du.ac.in) University of Mumbai(www.mu.ac.in) Jadavpur University Kolkata(www.jadavpur.edu) University of Pune (http://cs.unuipune.ernet.in) DOEACC Society-‘O’, ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ level courses: www.doeacc.edu.in C-DAC: www.cdac.in |