COORDINATOR: organises people & tech projects (must be a people-person who is good at juggling!)
* summer internship at Ernst & Young, Perth. ** Chantel started at the Perth Transport Authority in their graduate IT program which allows her 3 years of rotation-style placements in a range of IT roles. Six months into her graduate program she was placed in the Project Management area as a Junior IT Project Manager.
*employers are looking for graduates who have a firm theoretical understanding of technology combined with the ability to communicate clearly, be organised, and work with others to solve tricky problems. Undertaking GAP years or travelling after high school to work on volunteer projects is a great way to build your skills and experience in these areas.
Chantel says:The time you learn the most and develop a strong set of skills is when you're on the job. As a graduate entering the workforce you can sometimes feel overwhelmed and unsure of your capability, but as a graduate you are not expected to perform straight away - but instead learn and ask questions!
ENGINEER:builds tech: this could be software (programs &
apps) ORhardware (computers, servers etc) (must know the theory of how stuff works and be able to apply this knowledge to real world systems!)
DESIGNER: thinks up new tech ideas, products, services and
solutions (must be a creative, big picture thinker!)
COORDINATOR:organises people & tech projects (must be a people-person who is good at juggling!)
* Certificate III in IT/ Certificate IV in IT/ Diploma in IT
Han Jian says: Don't wait until everything is perfect to start something.
SALESMAN:talks tech with clients and colleagues, translating
IT-speak into human-speak! they might also sell tech products & services to
customers (must be a top-notch communicator!)
MECHANIC: fixes & maintains tech hardware, software, systems
& services (must be a can-do problem solver!)
* 2008 part-time study Certificate III in Youth Work/ part-time work in retail customer service (Aussie Cash) *2009 part-time study Certificate III in Retail/ part-time work in retail customer service (Caltex) *2012 part-time study Certificate III in IT (Networking)/ part-time work at iinet (as IT customer service/ support rep)
*part-time study could be Certificate III in IT (Networking)/ Certificate IV in IT (Networking)
Bonnie says:Look for something positive in each day, even if some days you have to look a little harder. Let the challenges make you strong.
DESIGNER : thinks up new tech ideas, products, services and solutions (must be a creative, big picture thinker!)
ENGINEER : builds tech: this could be software (programs & apps) ORhardware (computers, servers etc) (must know the theory of how stuff works and be able to apply this knowledge to real world systems!)
* self taught coding via online research & online courses Certificate IV in IT (Web Based Technologies)/ Diploma in IT (Website Development)
* learn front-end coding skills via local or online programming courses/ qualifications + learn design skills via local or online graphic design courses/ qualifications
* If studying at uni choose a creative course which offers majors or electives in web development and/ or digital development
Dean says:"If in doubt, kick it out!" - Peter Simcox. (more related to football than web development, but the morals can be transferred to anything). If you're not sure about something, don't sit and wait, do something about it.
ENGINEER : builds tech: this could be software (programs &
apps) ORhardware (computers, servers etc) (must know the theory of how stuff works and be able to apply this knowledge to real world systems!)
SALESMAN:talks tech with clients and colleagues, translating
IT-speak into human-speak! they might also sell tech products & services to
customers (must be a top-notch communicator!)
MECHANIC: fixes & maintains tech hardware, software, systems
& services (must be a can-do problem solver!)
(Jonathon is a bit of everything in IT - you could say he's an IT GP (an IT General Practitioner!)
* Casual Work in a computer shop and at Coles (excellent ways to hone communication & customer service skills!) Full-time work in a computer shop Certificate III in IT Certificate IV in IT (Networking) Diploma in IT (Networking) 3 month Internship at Western Power (IT services) Completed Diploma in IT (Networking)
* You could also study part-time and work in industry part-time to help you score that full-time job as an IT Consultant
HOT TIP: 'vendor certifications' are also important to a job like this, so do your research about what software local IT businesses are using and look into courses to get the appropriate certifications.
Jonathon says: Assumptions are the Number One cause of all stuff-ups!
DESIGNER: thinks up new tech ideas, products, services and solutions (must be a creative, big picture thinker!)
ENGINEER: builds tech: this could be software (programs & apps) ORhardware (computers, servers etc) (must know the theory of how stuff works and be able to apply this knowledge to real world systems!)
COORDINATOR: organises people & tech projects (must be a people-person who is good at juggling!)
SALESMAN: talks tech with clients and colleagues, translating IT-speak into human-speak! they might also sell tech products & services to customers. (must be a top-notch communicator!)
* Honours in Computer Engineering Full time work as a research engineer at UWA Full time work as a software engineer in WA resources sector Co-founded Gramercy Studios in 2012
*Certificate IV in Programming OR Certificate IV in Digital Media Diploma in Software Development Learn Business & Marketing Skills: this could be a series of short courses/ night courses and/ or online courses you could undertake whilst working part-time
HOT TIP: Strong business administration and marketing skills are essential to starting your own small business or tech start-up!
Matt says: 1. Take the estimate of how long it will take and double it. 2. Don't be afraid to create your own projects while you're still studying and make a portfolio of it. This will be a great 'CV' to show potential future employers what you can do.
THIS SITE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY FUTURENOW TRAINING COUNCIL: CREATIVE & LEISURE INDUSTRIES WA
Enquiries & feedback to FutureNow Project Manager- Creative Industries Jo Pickup: [email protected]