Do You Have ‘IT’? 8 Awesome Careers for IT Pros
Did you know that Singapore has been touted as the leading technology innovation hub outside Silicon Valley/San Francisco, ranking above cities like New York, Tel Aviv, Beijing, and London?1
This is certainly something to cheer for information technology (IT) professionals in Singapore and could further boost demand for high-skilled IT experts – a boon if you’re looking to climb the career ladder or make the switch into a top specialist role.
But first, the basics: IT is the use of any device or infrastructure to handle electronic data. IT professionals work with servers, computers, apps, and databases with the aim of creating, storing, processing, and exchanging data, including in the context of business operations.
Having IT expertise means you have a wealth of options when deciding just which industry to join as most companies in this day and age – especially major corporations – are highly reliant on a solid IT infrastructure and processes to ensure smooth business operations.
As an IT expert, you can specialise or diversify as you wish based on your strengths and interests, empowering you to carve out a career path that benefits you most. And given the rapidly evolving world of tech, upskilling is key for continued career success.
At Singapore Institute of Management (SIM), we offer the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management (E-Learning), which is designed to help you develop analytical, interpersonal, and operational capabilities to confidently implement and adapt to emerging and disruptive technologies, enabling you to lead the IT charge.
What jobs can you land with IT expertise? There are many, but here are eight popular roles:
1. IT Technician
To ensure consistent monitoring and management, IT technicians are tasked with installing, maintaining, and repairing the hardware and software components of an organisation’s IT infrastructure.
As an IT technician, you should have strong communication skills and experience in data collection, and the ability to come up with innovative solutions to solve IT-related problems.
These skills, coupled with a postgraduate qualification focused on IT management, can help you stand out to potential employers or put you in the running for a promotion to a more senior specialist role.
2. Web Developer
A website can often be a company’s first impression to would-be consumers, and first impressions matter a lot. The very important responsibility of creating cohesive, easily navigable, and intuitive websites belongs to a web developer.
Web developers work with a variety of clients across numerous industries, and in this Digital Age, more and more businesses are finding it necessary to have an online presence.
Some key capabilities required for this role are programming, analytical, search engine optimisation, and interpersonal skills.
3. Systems Analyst
Many companies today blend business and technology strategies and applications to achieve better outcomes. Systems analysts are hired to effectively measure and strategise the best ways to combine these two elements by implementing, maintaining, and supporting IT systems to meet business needs.
Systems analysts are responsible for employing IT infrastructure management best practices in an organisation to ensure the consistent growth and improvement of the infrastructure.
Among the skills you need to become a successful systems analyst are strong communication, analytical, creative, and technical skills, including the ability to test, fix, and update complex systems.
4. Cloud Engineer (IT operations management functions)
Cloud computing and storage technologies, such as Google Cloud and Microsoft OneDrive, have become increasingly popular across industries. This has created the need for expert cloud engineers, who are tasked with ensuring that IT operations and management functions run smoothly.
A cloud engineer’s main responsibility is to develop and implement policies for cloud services, manage real-time requests for new technology, and establish a safe and secure cloud environment.
Among the key skills of a cloud engineer are software engineering, web development, data management, statistics, data analytics, and knowledge of cloud computing applications.
5. IT Project Manager
Average annual salary: SGD 96,6772
Project managers are key figures in any organisation, responsible for developing, coordinating, and overseeing projects in terms of cost, timeline, and scope of work, among others.
IT project managers are expected to be master planners. They also need to be expert communicators who are able to relay information effectively to non-IT experts, as well as good delegators to ensure project goals and milestones are successfully achieved.
IT project managers must have solid leadership, time and team management, active listening, and conflict management skills to take a project from start to finish, and fulfil – or better yet, exceed – the expected outcomes.
6. Software Engineer
Average annual salary: SGD 102,1963
Software engineering may not fall neatly in the IT category, but having deep knowledge of IT infrastructure and management gives software engineers an edge.
Software engineers often turn to innovation and creativity to solve current and emerging problems within and beyond the IT industry. Among the skills you need to apply for this role are software development, object-oriented design, software testing, debugging, and programming skills.
7. Information Security Analyst
Average annual salary: SGD 130,8194
Singapore saw a 65% increase in public sector data leaks in the year ending March 31, 2022, with 178 cases reported compared with 108 cases in the preceding year.5 This illustrates the need for expert information security analysts, who are in charge of monitoring networks, implementing security measures to prevent data leaks, and determining vulnerabilities in digital systems.
To shine in this role, you must have an extensive understanding of IT, and analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. An information security analyst plays a vital role indeed: your work does not only ensure a company runs smoothly and consumer data is protected, but it could also mean upholding security at the national level.
8. Network Architect
Average annual salary: SGD 137,5076
With so many companies relying on multiple networks to enhance business performance and productivity, it is pivotal that these networks are maintained and upgraded over time.
In steps the network architect. These IT professionals plan, design, and implement data communication networks to meet an organisation’s specific needs. Essentially, network architects are responsible for IT asset management and ensuring the continuous improvement of network infrastructure. To effectively perform their tasks, network architects must be analytical, detail-oriented, and organised.
* The salaries cited are accurate as at November 30, 2022.
Be an In-Demand IT Professional
With SIM’s Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management (E-Learning), you have the opportunity to master the skills needed to confidently navigate the ever-evolving world of IT and land the job you have been eyeing.
Book a 15-minute call with our Student Advisors today for more information about this 100% online programme designed to elevate your career.
References
1 https://home.kpmg/sg/en/home/media/press-releases/2021/07/singapore-tops-2021-ranking-for-leading-technology-innovation-hubs-kpmg-survey.html
2 https://sg.indeed.com/career/it-project-manager/salaries
3 https://sg.indeed.com/career/senior-software-engineer/salaries
4 https://sg.indeed.com/career/senior-information-security-analyst/salaries
5 https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/tech-news/public-sector-data-leaks-jump-65-to-178-cases-last-year-but-none-severe
6 https://sg.indeed.com/career/network-architect/salaries
