{"id":24201,"date":"2024-04-08T09:13:09","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T01:13:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/?post_type=advice&p=24201"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:47:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T03:47:05","slug":"lighting-the-path-to-your-it-career-10-things-to-know","status":"publish","type":"advice","link":"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/advice\/lighting-the-path-to-your-it-career-10-things-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Lighting the path to your IT career: 10 things to know\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The world of IT continues to evolve at a rapid pace. And as organisations across industries race to adapt to emerging technologies \u2013 generative AI, machine learning, AR, digital twins … the list goes on! \u2013 the role of IT professionals continues to evolve too. For those with a passion for innovation, exciting opportunities await.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re planning to work in IT, we\u2019ve collected 10 insights that could help influence your study choices and light the path to a fascinating career. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. IT expertise is in demand<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Australia, we love our IT \u2013 there are now more of us working as software engineers and developers than hairdressers, plumbers and lawyers<\/a>. Yet, Australia\u2019s latest Jobs and Skills report<\/a> confirms that information and communication technology (ICT) roles were among the top professional occupations in shortage nationally in 2023.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The demand for IT specialists will only grow as technology becomes increasingly critical to business operations and success \u2026 and, in keeping with that, the Government has a Digital Technology Taskforce<\/a> aimed at positioning the nation as a leading digital economy and creating 1.2 million tech jobs by 2030.<\/a> Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggests there\u2019s already strong momentum, with 2021 figures saying that the nation\u2019s fastest-growing qualification was security science<\/a>, with information systems and programming close behind.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Higher demand = higher pay<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, with the Australian tech sector in the ascendancy, it’s fair to expect that to translate into greater job security, career advancement opportunities and competitive salaries. Entry-level positions are attractive at about $90,000 pa and, as you gain experience and specialise, your earning potential increases significantly, with chief technology officers commanding $300\u2013$350,000 pa<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. IT is broad \u2013 you\u2019ve got choices<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

IT comprises many and varied specialist roles. Software engineering, network architecture, data analytics, cybersecurity and beyond. And just about every business in every industry \u2013 health, education, retail, space travel, whatever <\/em>\u2013 needs IT. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how to pick your career launchpad? Start with identifying your interests and strengths. Do you enjoy thinking creatively? Network architecture, software engineering or UX design look good. Our Bachelor of Information Technology<\/a> or Bachelor of Computing<\/a> degrees are a great place to start and so too is our major in Digital Experience and Interaction Design,<\/a> which will have you designing and optimising new digital experiences for a raft of possible applications.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get a buzz from problem-solving? Plug yourself into network administration or IT management. Likewise, if you thrive on predicting problems and devising solutions, cybersecurity and business intelligence could be your niche. Our Computing and Information Technology courses<\/a> cover all these areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps you enjoy sleuthing and delving deep? Business information systems (BIS) and data analytics could be your dream day-job. Check out our BIS major<\/a> in both the Bachelor of Commerce and the new Bachelor of Innovation course. Or if the fast-paced cut and thrust of cryptography and intrusion detection appeals, check out the C<\/a>yber Security major<\/a> as part of the Bachelor of Computing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best things about Curtin\u2019s approach is the range of specialisations<\/a> that let you customise your degree to your interests. You might want to broaden your professional skill sets with a specialisation that differs from your course major or choose one that instead deepens your expertise in your preferred area of IT. Curtin has plenty to choose from \u2013 digital design<\/a>, design thinking and visual communication<\/a>, artificial intelligence<\/a>, statistical data science<\/a>, business technology development<\/a>, information systems in business<\/a> and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Accreditations boost career options<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A professionally recognised degree can make you more attractive to employers. For example, the Curtin course in Computer Systems and Networking<\/a> is accredited in Australia and internationally, and the Bachelor of Computing<\/a> \u2013 which allows you a choice of specialising in Software Engineering, Cyber Security or Computer Science \u2013 is accredited by the Australian Computer Society. Plus, for more kudos, Curtin\u2019s Computing and Information Technology courses both give you the opportunity to upgrade to the Advanced Science degree in Computing<\/a>.

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5. Industry experience is gold<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All uni courses will teach you the theory; it\u2019s industry experience that adds shine. Which is why Curtin creates work-integrated learning programs, or WIL, like internships and work placements that give you the industry know-how that employers like.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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