The profession of "information technology specialist".

 

Definition.

"Information technology specialist", and hereinafter "IT specialist" is a very broad definition that unites representatives of many professions working in the field of information technology. Those are:

• programmers
• developers
• administrators of networks and bases
• moderators
• web designers
• robotics specialists
• information security specialists
• 3D animators

With the entry of information technologies into all-new spheres of human activity, new professions appear for "IT - specialists".

 

IT specialist activity.

What does an IT specialist, that spends almost all his work time in front of a computer, focus on?

For the most part, an IT specialist uses the working knowledge of programming languages, markup languages, photoshop, and other graphic editors.

Curiously, the IT specialist profession is creative, as IT specialist always creates something new, develops programs and apps, implements ideas. Of course, there is also a lot of usual routine work: writing code for a program or a website, creating a whole protection system for a computer network, and usually, it takes more than one week, and possibly months. To get a full-fledged and high-quality conceived result, an IT specialist is obliged to check and re-check his work over and over again, to correct mistakes and failures.

An IT specialist can work remotely, that is: freelancer - free worker; fulfilling orders; or in the office of the company, personally interacting with other specialists in the same field. Neither commercial structures nor government organizations can function without IT - specialists today, as information technology products "entangled" the whole world.

 

The uniqueness of the profession

The profession of an IT specialist is very widespread, but also quite needed in the world.  In our era of information technologies, the demand among employers and firms for them is quite high. It can be said that in the context of the long-term COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, which continues to this day, IT specialists, especially professionals in their field, have the main burden of quickly implementing various programs in the field of commercial operations, in addition to the fields of human communications, because many areas of activity have moved to a distant basis. Therefore, the IT specialist is highly demanded nowadays. 

 

Education

To work as an "IT - specialist", you must have higher professional education in the relevant specialty or in such a specialty that allows you to work as an IT specialist (related or similar specialty). Secondary, vocational education is not enough to become a professional IT specialist. Although, there are exceptions, and you can meet self-taught geniuses in the IT industry, but they too, over time, will not be able to succeed without basic higher education and self-improvement in their profession.

 

Duties

Everyday responsibilities of an IT specialist may differ depending on what area and in which company the IT specialist works. However, work/project always begins with an idea or receiving an order from the head of the company or from the immediate boss. IT - specialist gets acquainted with the terms of reference or layout, project, and then starts work.

An IT specialist draws up instructions for working with programs, prepares the necessary technical documentation.

After completing his work, he checks what has been done, tests the correct functioning of all elements. But he can also delegate the execution of this function to special people - testers. During testing or usage of a product created by an IT specialist, these same testers inform the IT specialist about any malfunctions or difficulties in the operation of the program. Subsequently, the IT specialist checks the deficiencies and fixes them.

The responsibilities of an IT specialist may include setting up office equipment, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions.

 

Labor type

The profession of an IT specialist predominantly implies mental work, but at the same time, an IT specialist must have good physical fitness, high endurance, and good health.

 

Employee characteristics

The work of IT specialists is always time-limited, so these specialists must be efficient and responsible. Moreover, for freelancers (freelancer - free employee), who is not limited by office space and strict working hours, self-control is especially important. Attentiveness, a penchant for critical thinking, a good memory, communication skills, politeness, and the ability to work in a team are the basis for the successful work of an IT industry specialist.

An analytical mindset will allow a specialist to carry out the most complex operations, develop computer programs, and work with computers.

In case of work on serious projects or work in large government structures or institutions, the IT specialist may also require composure, as well as self-control, in the event of any failures or errors in the system.

 

Features of career growth

The salary of an IT specialist directly depends on his level of professional knowledge. The amount of remuneration for IT specialists may be even higher than that of top managers of the same company.

Many companies in relation to their employees are not limited to the standard social package (official employment, paid leave and sick leave, an increase in salary for seniority), but also provide bonuses in the form of flexible working hours, paid meals, free gym or pool subscriptions, various joint corporate events or parties. Unfortunately, in the context of the current pandemic, these bonuses have become minimal. Also, if career growth is possible in the company, then over time, an IT specialist can rise to higher positions, although the profession of an IT specialist does not have a specific career path.

In my next article, we will get acquainted with the possible cooperation of IT recruiters and IT specialists.