Tech-related degrees include courses such as information technology, games technology, computer science, games development, data analytics and so much more. There are many diverse roles available to graduates with a tech degree, and skills learned during an undergraduate/postgraduate course provide you with the ability to work in a wide variety of different roles. We have outlined some of the careers below.
Digital Designer
A digital designer is responsible for creating different forms of media on behalf of a client to suit their needs and fit into their brand style and values. A digital designer may work to produce websites, games, or other types of graphics. A role as a digital designer not only requires that you have all the technological skills but that you are also creative, innovative and can work well with others, communicating your ideas with others. A digital designer may work in industries such as:
- Web design
- Animation
- Advertising
- Graphic Design
- Modelling/Texturing Artist
A digital designer will need to assess the needs of the client they are working for and consider any specific design instructions they have been given. They will then use this information to create wireframes and test these with the client to make any changes before implementing the final design. A digital designer will likely be based in an office environment and will have regular meetings with large teams of people, therefore written and verbal communication skills are just as important as the hard skills needed for this role.
Cyber Security Analyst
Cyber security analysists work within an organisation to protect their IT infrastructure from any criminal activities. They keep updated on security developments and provide advice to the organisation on implementing these, research any emerging threats and how these can be managed, monitor the organisations networks, hardware and software for attacks or any unusual activity. A cyber security analyst can work in many different areas, such as:
- Financial Services
- Transport Companies
- Large Organisations
- Network Providers
- Professional Services
A cyber security analyst is likely to be office based and may also meet with clients if involved in consultancy, they deal with highly sensitive information and work on keeping this information well protected. Written and verbal communication is crucial as they are involved in writing up technical reports and communicating their work with large teams of, likely executive managers of large organisations.
Games Developer/Designer
Games developers/designers need to have complex tech skills, such as using programming languages, along with creative/design skills. Developers/designers bring ideas to life by designing systems, animations, narrations etc to create a game. Games developers can work creating games for many different platforms such as PC, mobile and gaming consoles. Likely industries for games developers/designers are:
- Computing organisations
- Creative agencies
- Software Developers
- Large game development companies such as Rocksteady Studios, Crytek UK
Games developers and designers will be fluent in coding languages such as C++ and will be able to use this to develop large scale network, engine, or graphic programming. The development of a game takes many years and various teams of people all carrying out varying roles. A games developer/designer will typically work in an office and will be working within a large team of people.
Server/System Administrator
A server/system administrator’s responsibilities include installing and configuring software, hardware and networks, monitoring system, troubleshooting and carrying out security checks on system infrastructure. They also may be involved in training staff on new software/technology introduced into the company. Server/System administrators work within industries such as:
- Business Support
- Financial Services
- Large Organisations
- Schools/Universities
- Software Developers
A server/system administrator will work in an office setting and will work on behalf of one/multiple clients. Server/systems administrators are useful to any business that has a large IT infrastructure as these will need to be secured, protected, and updated.
Artificial Intelligence Researcher
An AI researcher will be involved in deep learning projects, making research proposals, and developing new software. Skills gained from a tech-related degree such as, programming, mathematics, statistics and graphical modelling are all crucial for a career in AI research. Roles within artificial intelligence include:
- Machine Learning
- Data Scientist
- Business Intelligence Developer
- Big Data Architect
Jobs within artificial intelligence continue to grow as demand gets higher. AI researchers collect and study data in order to provide solutions and discover new ways to advance artificial intelligence technologies. They are also involved in designing algorithms and programming in order to allow the technologies to carry out actions/processes with certain commands. An AI researcher will likely work in an AI laboratory with teams of professors, post- and under-graduates, if in a university setting, or within a research team.
Web Developer
A web developer designs and builds website for organisations and individuals. The role would involve collaborating with clients to understand their needs and ideas for their website and using this information to create a website suited to them. Web developers may work in industries such as:
- Software testing
- Advertisement
- Publishing
- Consulting
- Freelance
- Within Organisations
Web developers work to design websites including their layout, graphics, programming etc and may work within a large team who may be involved with aesthetics and content of the website, for example. Web development requires writing code, designing pages, widgets and plug-ins and testing how the website works across different browsers. Once the website is created web developers will be regularly checking in with their clients for feedback and may have to update/repair the site if necessary.
Data Analyst
Data analysts work to understand data and turn this into useful information that can be communicated to teams of people who will use this information to make informed decisions about the organisation e.g. sales, market and other behaviours and setting goals. A data analyst may work in areas such as:
- Healthcare
- Finance
- Marketing
- Commerce
- Data Mining
- Business Intelligence
On a day-to-day basis a data analyst can be found gathering data, cleaning, modelling and interpreting this data to be able to present findings through charts, graphs and reports. Data analysts use a range of different programmes such as R, Python, Microsoft Excel and SQL, depending on the role and its requirements. They work in large teams with various different roles, to come together and make important decisions.
DevOps
A role within DevOps uses engineering and coding skills, a DevOps engineer works to develop systems within a company, implementing software and improving existing systems. DevOps engineers will work to expand upon current technology used by clients, they work with software developers, system operators and IT staff to facilitate code developments/releases on behalf of clients. A DevOps engineers roles include:
- Project Management
- Server Administration
- Security and Automation
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Large Organisations
DevOps engineers may be managing large projects and groups of people to help build and run production systems and developing/implementing software to existing application and designing new ones. These roles require an understanding of cloud services such as GCP, building laC, scripting skills with Python, C++ and using security tools.
