What are the common IT career paths?

Due to the variety of jobs that are available within the IT sector, there is no single point of entry like you would find with most other professions.

Even if you don’t have an IT background this doesn't necessarily hinder your chances of starting a new career as most employers look for more rounded individuals with more transferable skills.

There are a number of full-time and part-time courses available to you that you can study at a university or via distance learning. It is best to look for those that are recognised by the British Computer Society (BCS) – the body that regulates the UK IT industry.

The most common route of entry into the IT sector is via the Trainee Software Development or Analyst Programmer avenue. Trainee Developers and Analysts can also referred to as Web Designers, Database Analysts or Technical Support – the role is often very similar, but different sectors will choose a title that reflects their specific field of expertise.

From here your career would typically progress into a Senior Developer or Programmer role before advancing up the career ladder as a Systems Analyst, Project Manager or Consultant.

Obviously, not all positions are centred around the programming route. Some of the most popular and sought after roles in IT are within graphic design which allow more creative individuals to flourish.

On the less technical side, areas such as IT sales and marketing are more business-orientated and place less emphasis on specialist know-how and more on commercial acumen.

Provided you are prepared to undergo continuous professional and personal development, maintain your thirst for industry knowledge and keep abreast of technological developments, IT offers opportunities to take your career in almost any direction

It’s not just your knowledge and skills that will help your career to develop, your personal attributes will be a great asset too. The importance of interpersonal communication, business insight, leadership skills, and an understanding of how IT is integral to the strategic decisions, profitability and overall functionality of an organisation cannot be underestimated.

All types of organisations hire IT professionals, from small scale one-man business looking to hire the services of an IT consultant to a large scale multinational organisation with an IT department of over 200 staff. It is up to you to decide which environment is right for you.

Wondering what to do now? Check out our expert career advice, find out more about the IT industry or search for the latest IT jobs.