Starting your IT career

The IT sector is a flourishing part of the Maltese economy that continues to provide a variety of employment opportunities. As this sector continues to evolve it is becoming increasingly clear that the limited skills that were once acceptable are not enough anymore. IT degrees, courses and certifications are widely available to provide the necessary knowledge, but even with these skills in hand it may be surprisingly difficult to find your first job.

IT branches off into many different fields, and the first step to starting your career is choosing your area of study. It is important to choose an area that is widely sought after and that does not limit your opportunities. This means selecting a topic that not only interests you but which also interests employers.

According to my research, employers have held that .Net and Java software development are two of the most essential skills along with business intelligence and networking.

Education is a good foundation but it is important to be proactive and continue to add to your knowledge. IT is a fast changing sector that requires continuous learning to keep up to speed with changing technologies. It may also give you a head start to specialise in a skill or specific industry to build specialist knowledge to be more valuable to prospective employers.

Training has now evolved to ensure that students are able to put their skills into practice. Work practice such as trainee schemes, internships and pro bono work are essential elements that make use of the skills that you have learned and help to build up your CV.

Once you have gained some practical experience, the next step is to put together a comprehensive CV or portfolio of all the projects you have undertaken, knowledge and experience of particular skills and technologies.

When job searching, attending conferences and seminars is very beneficial as it allows the opportunity to network among people working in the same sector as well as contributing to continuous professional development.

The final criteria when looking for your first job is to be realistic and not expect to find the highest paying, most senior job at your first try.

You will most likely have to start at the bottom and work your way up, but it is vital that you select a first job that presents opportunities and leads you to the career you are looking for. Plan ahead, do not simply settle for the highest pay but think about what that job will look like on your CV and where it is leading you.

It is important to have a good idea of the opportunities on offer and the salaries that are being paid. Specialist recruitment companies help to provide a comprehensive picture of available jobs as well as providing you with useful information regarding interview skills, CV writing and job application. They may also be able to offer a reliable benchmark for ICT salaries.

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Ms Vella Bonnici is brand manager at Castille Resources Ltd.