Career opportunities Computing and IT
In the UK graduates can use their degree to find employment that's not necessarily related to their degree subject. This is because the employer is looking for the skills they have developed through their academic study, rather than a specific subject.
Consider a range of occupational areas and industry sectors to increase your chances of securing a graduate position, it is important to consider a range of occupational areas and industry sectors. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
The range of organisations employing graduates from Computing and IT is extensive. Opportunities exist across retail, financial services, telecommunications, broadcast media, digital media, manufacturing, transport, tourism, the public sector and healthcare. There is growth and demand in cyber security, mobile development, cloud computing and the management of Big Data. Beyond pure technology roles, some graduates also enter management consultancy firms or corporate roles, while others go into technical writing roles or work freelance.
Some general job titles within IT and Computing are:
- Applications Programmer
- Database Administrator
- Information Technology consultant
- Information Systems Manager
- Multimedia Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Systems Analyst
- Systems Designer
Globalisation is having a significant impact on the shape of the UK labour market in computing. The proportion of employees with specialist, high value-added design skills is expected to increase and non-specialist design and development work will move ‘off-shore’. The OU Computing and IT degrees attempt to address this trend by training graduates in the specialist branches of computing that are most needed.
Demand for IT professionals will always be high and there's an increasing expectation that individuals will be multi-skilled with commercial awareness, good business skills such as project management, business change, risk management, and interpersonal skills such as networking and relationship management, as well as having technical expertise. Some entrants to the IT sector may come from other occupations but will be retrained as IT professionals on the job. People who have developed their IT and computing skills while working in other areas are likely to be highly sought after.
For IT sector news, analysis and information plus a video discussion of trends currently affecting the UK IT industry visit www.computing.co.uk. IT Jobs Watch gives an ongoing picture of trends in IT recruitment.
Useful links
These resources will help you explore careers areas in further detail.
You will also find information about general job vacancy sites, work experience and volunteering at:
Postgraduate Study
Many graduates undertake further study on completion of their first degree and/or after gaining relevant work experience. Reasons for doing so include wanting to explore an aspect of their studies in more depth, to further or change their career, because a specific postgraduate qualification is either an entry requirement for their chosen career or would be an advantage if entry is competitive. Generally postgraduate study can open up opportunities to work in higher education, in areas of specific skills, and perhaps consultancy work.
A range of Computing and IT related postgraduate study options are available at the OU, both taught and research awards.
It's important to thoroughly research postgraduate study options as this will help you make the right choice for you. This would include checking you can afford it as the way you pay for postgraduate study is different to how undergraduate study is funded. On the Prospects website you can search postgraduate courses, and find information on funding postgraduate study.
