IT Careers Are More Than Code And Wires: Part 1

IT Careers Are More Than Code And Wires: Part 1

When someone says, “I work in IT”, it is often easier than explaining what they actually do. The response is familiar: “Oh, so you fix computers.”

Some IT professionals take the time to explain. Others simply smile and leave it there.

But IT is about much more than fixing computers or writing code.

One way to start exploring the industry is through three broad, overlapping groups: the Builders, the Instructors and the Connectors.

The Builders

The Builders create the physical foundations: the hardware, wiring and equipment you can touch. They build and connect the infrastructure that allows technology to work.

They give the digital world its physical home and the connections it needs to function.

The Instructors

The Instructors give computers their instructions. They develop software, create the language and logic behind programs, feed systems information, and set the parameters and boundaries within which they operate.

In this analogy, they tell the machines what to do and how to do it.

The Connectors

The Connectors bring technology, people and business needs together. They help translate needs into practical solutions, coordinate work, support people through change, and make sure technology can be used effectively in the real world.

After all, computers and programs have little value if people cannot use them. Technology needs to serve a purpose: helping people solve problems, work more efficiently or make life easier.

Connectors do not necessarily write code or work directly with hardware. They do, however, need enough understanding of the technology and the industry’s language to work effectively with the Builders and Instructors.

The word “Connector” describes a contribution rather than a single type of job. People across many IT roles make that contribution.

Where does cyber security fit?

Cyber security is a useful example of how these groups overlap. It addresses problems affecting businesses and people, including the misuse of technology and breaches of systems or information.

Rather than sitting neatly within one group, cyber security can involve contributions from all three: building secure infrastructure, developing secure software, and helping people and organisations understand and manage risks.

The balance depends on the particular role.

There is more than one way to work in IT

The next time someone says, “IT isn’t for me. I don’t want to fix computers or write code”, remind them that those are only part of the picture.

IT also needs people who can understand problems, communicate clearly, coordinate work and connect technology with human needs.

You do not have to love code and cables to be curious about a career in IT. If you are considering a career change, get in touch to explore what might come next.

A quick note

This post is a starting point for readers who are less familiar with the IT industry. Builders, Instructors and Connectors are simplified, overlapping groups, not formal career categories. There are many more ways to describe the variety of careers in IT, but exploring them all would make for a much longer read!

#CareerChange #ITCareers #CareerDevelopment #SeaChangeCareers #CyberSecurity