Opting for a career in Information Technology?

The internet...cyberspace...java...bytes...every second word you hear is somehow related to Information technology. Who doesn’t know the term Information Technology (IT) today?

It has recently become one of the hottest career options. With computers being an integral and permanent part of the human social fabric, the scope of this field is limitless.

IT is a broad term that includes all aspects of managing and processing information and related technologies. It deals with computer science and technology, including design, development, installation and implementation of information systems and applications. IT professionals are responsible for designing, developing, supporting and managing computer hardware, software, and information networks, including the internet.

Career options

As IT plays a critical role in all industries, information technology specialists have the flexibility to work in a variety of fields. Some of them are:

•Networking and internetworking

•Database development and administration

•Programming – development tools, languages

•Technical writing

•Software design and engineering

•Graphic design and animation

•Web/ e-commerce development

• SEO marketing experts

What is required?

Individuals interested in this field should possess the following qualities:

• Willingness to learn new technologies

• Able to think logically

• Have the ability to solve technical challenges

• Must have good communication skills in order to deal with customers and management

• Web designers and developers must possess creative and artistic talents.

• Knowledge of mathematics is extremely helpful.

• The ability to work in a team and being able to help others are also vital aspects for successful IT professionals.

•  Should be hardworking and have the capacity to work for long hours

Where to go?

• COMSATS Institute of Information Technology,Islamabad

• National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan, Islamabad

• National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Islamabad

• Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta

•  City University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar

• Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore

• Lahore University of Management Sciences, Lahore

• Dawood College of Engineering and Technology, Karachi

• Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro

• NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi

• University of Karachi, Karachi

• National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences, Karachi

•      Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology, Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2011.