Career snapshot: tech industry

You might think the first step for applying for a job is submitting your resume, but the process starts before that.

The first step is understanding the kind of job you’re applying for.
Understanding the roles can be particularly difficult in the tech industry as job titles constantly change, just like technology itself.
To help you make sense of the tech world and see if this the right industry for you, here is a Career Snapshot: Tech Industry.
Why should you consider a career in the tech industry?
1. It’s where the jobs are
Other industries boom and wane but tech remains strong. 2.5 million Australian employees, or 22% of the workforce, are currently in positions that involve regularly dealing with ICT. This figure is set to double in the next five years.
2. Your non-tech skills are still utilised
Even if you’re not tech savvy, tech companies need writers, bookkeeper’s receptionists or even hospitality staff. Utilise your best skills in a fast paced industry.
3. Your career can sky rocket – fast
Tech start-ups are some of the fastest growing start-ups. Entry level positions can quickly grow to head positions if you’re adaptable to change and a fast learner.
What jobs are available?
- Help desk support staff ($50,000 – $55,000 p/a) - Answer support questions from internal company computers or from customers using products produced by the country
- Computer operators ($60,000 - $65,000 p/a) - Daily operations of a company’s computing systems including performing backups, executing batch print jobs and maintaining logs of operations
- ICT Manager ($80,000 - $95,000 p/a) - Provide assorted services from design to admin and have sound knowledge of networked applications, virus protection schemes, system diagnostic utilities and routers
- Program Developer ($85,000 – $130,000 p/a) - Write, test, debug, and maintain the detailed instructions for computer programs that computers must follow to perform their functions. Programmers also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer
- Software/Hardware/ Network Engineer ($130,000+ p/a) - Research, design, develop and test computer hardware and equipment, including chips, analogue sensors, circuit boards, keyboards, modems, routers and printers
- Chief Information Officer (CIO) ($140,000 - $190,000 p/a) - The CIO serves as a company's technology guru, overseeing everything from the purchase of computer systems to overarching plans to use technology to gain a competitive edge.
What does the tech industry look like in Australia?
The tech sector is vast with many employment opportunities available. Here are some quick facts about the tech industry from Job Outlook.
Tech is a very large occupation employing around 300,000 people
Over the last five years the number of jobs have grown and strong growth is expected in the future.
The number of job openings for support staff, operators, managers, programmers and engineers is expected to create around 25,000-50,000 new jobs openings over the next 3 years to 2020.
The industry is largely male dominated with 8 out of every 10 workers being men. This presents good opportunities for women to enter a male dominated field.