Graduate Careers

Business systems analyst

Main tasks
Business systems analysts study the business and information requirements of an organisation, and develop solutions to business and related technology issues. They may perform the following tasks:

• review and evaluate a company’s business requirements, user needs and functions
• assess the costs and benefits of implementing computing solutions
• develop IT solutions based on the identified needs of the organisation
• work with other IT experts to address networking and hardware needs
• assess finance and budgetary matters
• develop and document a general system design based on the company’s anticipated requirements.

Key skills

• creative and conceptual thinking
• business understanding and awareness
• ability to write and interpret specifications
• interpersonal and communication skills
• time management and organisation skills
• teamwork and leadership skills.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, entry-level business systems analysts can expect to earn around $60,000. More experienced analysts can earn up to and above $110,000.

Employment prospects
According to the Australian Computer Society (ACS) there is an increasing demand for business analysts, and job prospects are good.

Main employers
Business systems analysts are employed across all industries in both the public and private sectors. They may choose self-employment and work on a consultancy basis.

Find out more
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA), www.apesma.asn.au
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au

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Software engineer

Main tasks
Software engineers create, modify and maintain computer and software programs. They may perform the following tasks:

• design, create, maintain, modify, document, test, implement and support computer and software programs such as operating systems, utility programs, communications software, compilers, and database handlers
• evaluate new programming tools and techniques
• analyse current software products
• write, test and maintain software products according to specifications
• document developed software programs.

Key skills

• knowledge of varied and diverse software programming languages
• verbal and written communication skills
• teamwork and interpersonal skills
• problem-solving skills
• ability to work independently
• drive to maintain technical knowledge and skills.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, graduate salaries in this occupation start at around $45,000. The median salary across this occupation is approximately $90,000. Experienced software engineers can earn up to around $150,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, jobs prospects for software engineers are currently good, and unemployment is average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Software engineers are employed in IT-specific and a range of other industries in both small and large companies. They are often employed by large IT companies that specialise in software development.

Find out more
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au

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Network administrator

Main tasks
Network administrators provide operational support of IT networks, from internet and private networks, to large communication networks. They may perform the following tasks:

• install, maintain and configure networks and resolve faults
• ensure network security
• determine the allocation of server resources to ensure optimum network performance
• design and implement software, hardware and server systems
• provide training and support for network use.

Key skills

• knowledge of operating systems and networks
• interpersonal and communication skills
• attention to detail
• high level of organisation
• ability to make decisions and meet deadlines
• problem-solving skills.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, graduate salaries in this occupation start at around $50,000. Experienced network administrators can earn up to $180,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for network administrators are currently good, and unemployment is average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Network administrators work in IT-specific industries and a range of other industries that require IT expertise. Experienced network administrators may start their own business or work on a freelance basis.

Find out more
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA), www.apesma.asn.au
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au

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Web developer

Main tasks
Web developers design, create and maintain websites using relevant software packages. They may perform the following tasks:

• liaise with clients about website aims and requirements
• develop software solutions that include design, implementation and support for web applications
• develop custom programs to extend the function of a website
• liaise with web designers, writers, system administrators and other IT staff.

Key skills

• competence in database development and management
• high proficiency in HTML and Java attributes
• proficiency in non web-based development languages
• interpersonal skills
• teamwork skills
• creativity, and technical and problem-solving skills
• verbal and written communication skills
• broad industry knowledge and the drive to continue developing skills and knowledge.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, graduate salaries in this occupation start at around $40,000. The median salary across this occupation is around $80,000. Very experienced web developers can earn up to around $150,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for web developers are currently good, and unemployment is average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Web developers are employed across all industries for companies, large and small, that require website construction and maintenance. The may work on a freelance basis.

Find out more
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au
Australian Web Industry Association, www.port80.asn.au
Internet Industry Association (IIA), www.iia.net.au

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IT sales representative

Main tasks
IT sales representatives promote the sale of IT services and computer hardware and software. They may perform the following tasks:

• liaise with customers and offer advice about their hardware and software needs
• generate customer interest in the company’s IT products
• keep customers informed of new products and IT developments
• make presentations to potential customers
• manage details of sales—including payment and delivery
• liaise with in-house marketing and other relevant departments to generate new customers and improve products.

Key skills

• good communication and presentation skills
• good interpersonal skills
• effective selling, negotiation and customer service skills
• ability to understand the user needs of clients
• drive to continually update product and industry knowledge.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, graduate salaries in this occupation start at around $35,000. The median salary across this occupation is around $100,000. Very experienced IT sales staff and those in senior positions (such as account managers) can earn in excess of $250,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian jobs 2008, job prospects for IT sales representatives are currently good, however unemployment is above average. Future jobs growth to 2012–13 is expected to be moderate.

Main employers
IT sales representatives often work for IT service providers, and for organisations specialising in IT retailing and wholesaling.

Find out more
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia (APESMA), www.apesma.asn.au
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au

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IT tester

Main tasks
Computer testers test and evaluate computer hardware and software. They may perform the following tasks:

• design and conduct tests for software applications and IT systems
• evaluate new and modified software applications to ensure they function as desired
• determine and report errors
• re-test and revise software and IT systems
• follow strict quality procedures
• liaise with users and work with system developers to discover faults and help solve them.

Key skills

• knowledge of automated testing software tools
• knowledge of programming languages, operating systems, and relational databases
• attention to detail
• problem-solving skills
• a methodical and process-orientated approach
• interpersonal and communication skills
• ability to work under pressure.

Salary
According to leading recruitment specialists, graduate salaries in this occupation start at around $45,000. The median salary across this occupation is around $82,000. Experienced testers and test managers may earn up to around $140,000.

Employment prospects
According to DEEWR's Australian Jobs 2008, job prospects for IT testers are currently good and unemployment is average. Future jobs growth to 2012-13 is expected to be strong.

Main employers
Computer testers are employed in IT-specific and a range of other industries in both small and large companies. They may also work on a freelance basis.

Find out more
Australian Computer Society (ACS), www.acs.org.au

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