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Ben Veress

7 Of The Coolest Careers You Didn’t Know An IT Degree Would Help You Score

There truly isn’t a more flexible degree out there than one in Information Technology (IT). Job security is on everyone’s mind right now, especially as the looming spectre of AI keeps telling us to eat rocks. Thankfully, the skills you’ll pick up in an IT degree will carry you far into the future, and should be fairly future proof.

Even better, IT roles are so flexible, you’ll be able to travel the world and work in fields you’re passionate about. Imagine that, job security and getting to work on things you’re interested in, and in this economy? That’s a dream come true.

Here are some solid IT jobs out there that will speak to your inner child.

7. Tech Entrepreneur

If you have a passion for innovation and digital tools, then a career as a tech entrepreneur might be right for you. Think Silicon Valley, but with fewer bikes getting thrown. It’s all about transforming your ideas into products that solve real-world problems.

The tech industry has had a massive boom in the past year, especially in areas like AI, software development, and e-commerce. As a tech entrepreneur, you’ll help innovate the tech space while also making a positive impact on people’s lives, which is always great.

Successful tech entrepreneurs are people in the industry who recognise gaps in the field and will help innovate to bring those much-needed solutions to life. Whether that’s helping to design a new app, running a consultancy firm or helping to develop new tech and software. You can get your entrepreneur dreams started with a Diploma in Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Information Technology.

Average Salary: $42,000 to $294,620 per year.

6. User Experience Designer

Have you ever used an app that felt so amazing your brain chemistry felt forever changed? That’s the power of good user experience, babyyyy.

A User Experience (UX) Designer’s role is to design interfaces to look stellar, and feel seamless to use. For example, if you’re trying to buy something from a website but can’t find the checkout button, that’s poor UX design. But UX design can go beyond designing websites and apps, you can bring those skills over to game design, research, and product management.

If you’re a tech head that loves making things easy to use and genuinely improving people’s quality of life, this is a great career to get into. A Bachelor of Information Technology will be a solid start to wrap your head around how UX Designers think. You can look into a specialised degree after to hone those skills and build up a solid portfolio.

Average Salary: $95,000 – $115,000 per year.

5. Esports Professional

Feel like you’re a little too cracked at Fortnite to play with the average scrub? You’re so right. That 0.5 K/DA isn’t a true representation of your skill.

However, if landing a spot on a pro esports team feels beyond reach, an IT degree can open a range of different roles in Esports. For example, software and network engineers are always in high demand to ensure that events run as smoothly as possible. This can be done by monitoring live streams that broadcast to millions across the world or providing quick maintenance to the tech the players use on stage.

There are also plenty of opportunities to develop neat software for competitions to use, like the “Chronobreak” feature used to turn back time in League of Legends whenever a game-changing bug happens.

You can actually combine a Diploma of Esports with a Bachelor of Information of Technology at QUT. Talk about min-maxxing your opportunities for a win.

Average Salary: $110,000 – $150,000 per year.

4. Ethical hacker

Did you always like playing anti-heroes growing up? Well, maybe this career is for you.

An ethical hacker tests systems and identifies vulnerabilities before other malicious hackers can exploit them. Remember that Brooklyn 99 episode where the precinct hires a person to hack their systems? That’s essentially your job. It’s the tech world’s example of a vigilante that gets to say “Thank me later”.

With AI entering the fold, ethical hackers are becoming increasingly important as new ways of exploiting previous security systems are uncovered.

You can break into the field with a Bachelor of Information Technology, followed by further study in Cybersecurity.

Average Salary: $86,000 – $136,000 per year.

3. Data Scientist

A data scientist, — aka a “data prophet” — is the Lisan Al Gaib of the tech industry (Dune heads will get it).

Your role is to analyse trends, lead research projects and find solutions to existing problems. Data scientist roles are especially in demand, as companies keep collecting raw data like Sonic collects rings. There’s just way too much, and they don’t know what to do with it all. That’s where you would come in to help break down the trends, and deliver reports outlining any findings.

A vertical double degree combining a Bachelor of Information Technology with a Master of Data Science can really speed up your journey to success.

Average Salary: $115,000 – $135,000 per year.

2. Penetration Tester

Okay, get your giggles out of the way.

Like an ethical hacker, a penetration tester analyses IT systems to determine weaknesses and faults in a business’s security. In your day-to-day, you’ll be carrying out tests to provide better security maturity modelling and risk management. Or to put simply, make sure the company’s cybersecurity is airtight for the long run.

The difference between a penetration tester and an ethical hacker is that the former focuses on specific aspects of IT systems due to budget and time constraints. An Ethical hacker has a far broader scope, assessing the entire IT environment of a business. In other words, a penetration tester gets to hone in on specific exploits and make those security areas airtight.

So, if you love diving deep into problems and finding solutions to tricky exploits, this is the gig for you. Similar to an ethical hacker, a Bachelor in Information Technology, alongside further study through a Master of Information Technology specialising in cybersecurity is a must to enter the field.

Average Salary: $77,000 – $142,000 per year.

1. IT Officer in Antarctica

I know it’s not on everybody’s bucket list, but if you’ve ever wanted an excuse to visit the South Pole, there are plenty of pathways for an IT Officer to take up a residency there.

The responsibilities of an IT officer (ITO) in Antarctica will be to assist in the Australian Antarctic Program’s vision to ensure that the land is being valued and protected. To do that, you’ll be helping with the repair and installation of information and communications technology, and assisting with operational priorities.

It’s definitely an enviable once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to land a role like this.

To become an IT Officer, a double degree in a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Information Technology is more than enough to put you on the right path.

Average Salary: $82,993 per year while in Australia. Or $150,947 while in Antarctica.

Literally any industry you want

No matter where you go, IT professionals are needed. Gaming, travel, sports, entertainment — you name it — all need someone in IT. The skills you’ll pick up in your degree will carry you far into different areas, all you need is the experience to prove it.

If you’re looking to break into the IT world and hard launch your new career, consider studying a Bachelor of Information Techonlogy at Queensland University of Technology. QUT is one of Australia’s leading universities focused on providing graduates with practical, relevant skills that they can apply in the real world.

You can find a long list of degrees and career pathways on QUT’s website to help find the right pathway for you.

The post 7 Of The Coolest Careers You Didn’t Know An IT Degree Would Help You Score appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .

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