Careers FAQ - IT

realjobs realpeople realexperiences
Published by Career FAQs

Australia wide
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Information
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Information
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Information
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Information Technology
Believe that your dream job may not even have been thought of yet?
Think reality is OK as it is but it could be digitally enhanced (or at
least tweaked a bit)? Keep reading! Maybe you have always just been
interested in computers, or have grown up with the Internet and cant
imagine life without it. Maybe youve got digital design skills, or you
have a knack for programming.
Whatever your motivation or your background, it has probably
become clear to you that computers and IT are here to stay. Computer
technology has changed the world more than almost any other
single invention in the last generation. Think electricity, the Industrial
Revolution, or the printing press. Computers and IT are right up there in
the same league as the basis for whole new industries and occupations.
This is a big part of the attraction of an IT career, and many of the
professionals interviewed echoed the sentiment.
It follows that careers in IT have enormous scope and variety. A lot of
jobs that are advertised today hadnt been thought of ten years ago,
when Java was just an island and chat was something you just did on
the phone.
Other titles:
Other titles:
Accounting
Crime Fighters
Design Professionals
Engineering
Industrial Design
Marketing
Psychology
Publishing
Teaching
Weird & Wonderful
Young Entrepreneurs
and more ...
www.careerfaqs.com.au
No rose-coloured glasses here. This is an honest and realistic
account of the pressures and challenges, as well as the
perks and benets of working in IT. With plenty of practical
tips from people working in the eld, and an easy to read
format, it demonstrates well what is required to work in this
demanding but rewarding profession.
Daniel Gardiner, IT Manager, Giga
ISBN 978 1 921106 13 1
Foreword by Steve Vamos
Managing Director, Microsoft Australia
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Information
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Information
Technology
the phone.
Other titles:
Other titles:
Accounting
Crime Fighters
Engineering
Industrial Design
Marketing
Psychology
Publishing
Teaching
Weird & Wonderful
Young Entrepreneurs
and more ...
ISBN 978 1 921106 13 1
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Technology
Information
Technology
Information
Technology
the phone.
Other titles:
Other titles:
Accounting
Crime Fighters
Engineering
Industrial Design
Marketing
Psychology
Publishing
Teaching
Weird & Wonderful
Young Entrepreneurs
and more ...
ISBN 978 1 921106 13 1
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Technology
Information
Technology
Information
Technology
the phone.
Other titles:
Other titles:
Accounting
Crime Fighters
Engineering
Industrial Design
Marketing
Psychology
Publishing
Teaching
Weird & Wonderful
Young Entrepreneurs
and more ...
ISBN 978 1 921106 13 1
IT Cover.indd 1 13/3/06 4:24:46 PM
Information
Technology
By Jonathan Shearman
Australia wide
Published by Career FAQs Pty Ltd
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Copyright Career FAQs Pty Ltd
First published in 2006
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study,
research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part
of this publication may be reproduced by any process or by any means, electronic,
photocopied, recorded or otherwise without prior written permission of the
copyright owner. Inquiries for reproduction should be addressed to the publisher.
Published by
Career FAQs Pty Ltd
Suite 76, The Hub
8997 Jones Street
Ultimo NSW 2007
+61 2 9282 9383
National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:
Shearman, Jonathan.
Information Technology: Australia.
ISBN 978 1 921106 13 1
1. Information technology Vocational guidance Australia. I. Title.
(Series: Career FAQs).
004.02394
Publisher: Sue Stevens
Author: Jonathan Shearman
Editors: Diane Jardine, Vanessa Macquarie, Emma Grahame
Researchers: Louisa Veidelis, Amanda Evans
Cover and internal design: Terri Marzullo, H2M Creative Services
Illustrations: Nigel Beard, Ainsley Beard Creative
Desktop Publisher: Terri Marzullo
Proofreading: John Sims, Sims Editing & Proofreading
Printed by Paragon Printers Australasia
Advertising sales enquiries: Stef Harland
Career FAQs acknowledges the following copyright owners for permission to
reproduce their work.
Graduate Careers Council of Australia, www.graduatecareers.com.au
Michael Page International
Every effort has been made to contact copyright owners and obtain permission.
However, should an infringement have occurred, Career FAQs apologise for the
omission and request that the copyright owner make contact.
Disclaimer
The opinions and statements made by people who contributed to this book from
the information technology profession are their own and are not those of Career
FAQs. The publishers do not claim to represent the entire extent of the information
technology profession and career choices. The aim has always been to provide
a broad overview of the possibilities available. As such Career FAQs Information
Technology does not purport to be a true and accurate record of the information
technology profession, relying on the voices of those working in the industry to tell
their stories. Inaccuracies may arise as a result of the nature of this book. Users
should follow the links to actual websites of organisations to ascertain current
information and practice.
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iii
Foreword
Welcome to the information technology (IT) edition of Career FAQs
a new resource for students, teachers, parents or anyone looking to
pursue or advise on a career in the IT profession. This new resource
will provide you with plenty of detailed information about the many
different types of careers that are available within the IT industry and
give you practical guidance on how to reach for, and achieve, your
career goals.
Why the IT profession? Our world has been and is still being
transformed by inventions like the personal computer (could you
imagine life without one?), sophisticated software, the Internet and the
ultra-fast broadband networks that give us access to the online world.
Some people call this a technological revolution, but to my mind its
better described as an evolution thats enhancing the way that we live,
work and play. Did you know that two-thirds of Australian households
have a computer at home and that over half of all households now
have access to the Internet?
Technology is becoming a pivotal touchstone of our society. Today, its
enabling us to do things that would have been unimaginable a decade
ago. Take, for example, the now commonplace practice of booking an
airfare or hotel online a short time ago this would have been a rarity.
Have you got an Xbox or ever made a home movie on your PC? Both
have been made possible by the exciting fusion of digital technology
and entertainment, which is transporting people into new, fantastic
online environments and allowing everyday people to become self-
made musical maestros and lm directors.
From a commercial perspective, several years on from the height of
the dotcom boom, businesses are again increasing their spending
on IT and there is a new focus on tuning systems and software
applications to work more efciently, effectively and harmoniously
together. However, the fundamentals of system administration and
maintenance are as critical as ever in providing the foundation on
which successful IT strategies rely.
The IT profession is integral to bringing all of these developments to
life and, viewed through this lens, its an exciting and dynamic time
to be exploring a career in the industry. Together, IT professionals are
helping people, communities and businesses to realise their vision for
a better future.
Steve Vamos
Steve was appointed Managing
Director of Microsoft Australia
in February 2003. He was
previously Chief Executive Ofcer
of ninemsn (appointed in 1998),
where he helped the company
achieve its position as an
Australian media industry leader.
Before joining ninemsn, Steve
held the positions of Managing
Director of Apple Computer
Australia (199496), Managing
Director of Apple Computer Asia
Pacic (199698), and was also
appointed Vice President of Apple
Computer Inc., Australia, in 1996.
Prior to joining Apple Computer,
Steve spent 14 years with IBM in
a number of sales, marketing and
general management positions.
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iv
The blazing pace of digital advancement is also opening up new
career opportunities that are adding to the already broad stable of
employment paths. Today, a vast array of jobs span from system
administration, website design, developing interactive entertainment
and electronic games through to helping hospitals nd better ways to
care for their patients.
And there are just as many paths through which you can reach
your career aspirations, whether it is through TAFE, university or
undertaking vocational training to achieve, for example, certication
as a Microsoft Certied Professional, a qualication that demonstrates
your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies.
But, like any sector, the IT industry also faces its own set of unique
challenges. For example, technological advancements are generating
immense waves of change and after many years of unrelenting
progress society is, in many respects, striving to catch up. Your
willingness and ability to learn about and adapt to change is as
important as being able to lend a guiding hand for others during
periods of transition.
Career FAQs is a wonderful new resource and I commend it to you as a
reference point to explore and learn more about the career opportunities
on offer in IT and, remember, always reach for your goals!
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v
Contents
About Career FAQs ix
How to use this book xi
The big picture
Why information technology? 1
What do IT people do? 3
What does it take to be a good IT professional? 4
Whats happening right now? 5
Current size of the profession 5
What are the job opportunities? 6
Hot jobs now 9
IT business analysis 9
Senior IT positions 9
Contract work 10
Agency contracting 11
Consulting 12
Ian Benjamin Consultant trainer 12
Overseas opportunities 14
Women in IT 15
IT career challenges 16
How much can I earn? 16
Who are the main employers? 20
General commercial IT 20
Corporate IT 21
Banks and nancial institutions 22
Tertiary education 23
Pure research and learning 24
Government 25
Not-for-prot organisations 25
What are employers looking for? 26
Meet some employers 26
Janice Ma Westpac 26
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vi
Fiona Hathaway Microsoft Australia 28
Michele de Laine Centrelink 31
What support organisations exist? 35
Australian Computer Society 35
Australian Information Industry Association 35
Australian Society for Computers in Learning in
Tertiary Education 35
Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists
and Managers, Australia 36
CompTIA 36
Internet Society of Australia 36
National ICT Australia 36
Insider info
What jobs could I do? 41
What do real people say about their jobs? 42
Lorretta Elias IT support ofcer 43
Lily Lo Software test analyst 46
Saul Bryan National IT manager 47
John Twyman University computer systems ofcer 50
Raymond Allo Senior Oracle database analyst 54
John Turnbull IT consultant 58
Victoria Morrison Instructional designer 62
Ben OHara Conguration specialist 66
Darren Gray Director of professional services 68
Daniel Cheney Web programmer 71
Aaron Stacey Senior project manager 74
Barry Thompson IT security consultant 77
Indrik Kalnins SAP basis manager 81
Stephanie, Analyst programmer 84
Keith Pereira Systems engineering manager 87
Nigel Moreton System engineering director 90
Tim Leach Manager, technical marketing, Bangalore, India 93
Ready, set, go for it!
What qualications do I need? 101
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vii
University courses 102
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology 107
Industry support for universities 108
What if I dont get the marks for university? 109
Sydney Institute of Business Technology 110
Multiple criteria entry 110
TAFE courses 111
What can I expect to learn at TAFE? 112
How long does it take? 113
Will a TAFE qualication guarantee a job? 113
TAFE and university whats the difference? 113
TAFE and university credit transfers 114
Industry-based courses 114
Industry certication 114
CompTIA 115
Oracle 117
Microsoft 118
Cisco 119
SAP 119
Experience has to match up with certication 121
How do I get that job? 122
How are people recruited? 122
Recruitment agencies 123
Networking 124
Graduate programs 125
Graduate prospects 127
Government recruitment 128
Online recruitment 128
The online application process in the esh 129
What are recruiters looking for? 129
Meet some recruiters 130
Melissa Tuckwell HiTech recruiter 130
Daniel Buckley Hays IT Recruitment 131
Stand out from the crowd 132
Create an outstanding application 133
The rsum 133
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viii
Tips: Rsum writing 135
The cover letter 136
Tips: The cover letter 137
Selection criteria 137
Tips: Selection criteria 140
A nal word on your job application 140
How can I stand out at the interview? 141
The three Ps of interviewing 141
Preparation 142
Presentation 142
Performance 142
Top 10 dos and donts 145
Dealing with disappointment 146
What can I do right now? 146
Do your research 146
Get a grip 147
Be exible 147
Expand your horizons 147
Buzz words 149
Appendix 1 153
Comparative starting salaries of various professions 153
Appendix 2 154
Michael Page International salary tables 154
Appendix 3 157
About TAFE certicates and diplomas 157
Appendix 4 159
Oracle certication 159
Appendix 5 161
Sample job advertisements 161
Appendix 6 163
Sample rsum 163
Appendix 7 164
Sample cover letter 164
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ix
About Career FAQs
Want to choose your ideal career but dont
know where to start?
Will Santow, Managing Director, Career FAQs
Career FAQs publishes a diverse range of career books that focus on
different professions, industries and lifestyles to make the search for
your perfect career that much easier.
Each book proles real people doing
real jobs and talking about their real
experiences the good and the bad
from the day-to-day routine of working
life through to the more dynamic
aspects of a job. In addition to this,
Career FAQs books feature practical
information about qualication requirements, the key educational
and training institutions, industry bodies and support organisations,
earning capacity and job-hunting tips.
With all of the above covered in each book, it is easy to see why
Career FAQs provides a dynamic new approach to nding the
right career.
Career FAQs was conceived in 2004 as a result of my own quest
to settle on a particular career path through my 20s and early
30s. At times of career angst or just indecision about where I
should go for my next move, I would try to get my hands on
empowering, high-quality, up-to-date career information that
related specically to the market in which I wanted to work. I
could nd nothing. When I asked around, the only thing I found
was a shared frustration amongst many of my contemporaries.
The Career FAQs books will address this critical information and
educational gap and so reduce the future mismatches between
careerlifestyle aspirations and careerlifestyle realities.
Dont end up in
someone elses life,
a career choice is as
much a life choice as a
vocational decision.
Career FAQs
real jobs
real people
real experiences
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x
The range of Career FAQs titles is constantly expanding as we
continue to talk to people who have carved out interesting and
dynamic careers and to hear their stories in their own words.
For a list of current titles, please visit our website,
www.careerfaqs.com.au.
Best of luck with nding the right career for you!
Will Santow
Managing Director
Career FAQs
Thank you!
A special thanks from the team at Career FAQs to the many
people who have contributed their time and shared their
experiences and insights to help make this book possible.
It is always inspirational to nd people who are willing
to give of themselves, particularly their time a scarce
commodity for most people today to help make a
difference to others.
That you all gave so willingly and provided such compelling
insights into your working lives so that others can make
better informed career choices is truly appreciated.
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xi
How to use this book
All Career FAQs books are structured with a similar layout, so if
you are familiar with one book, you will be able to navigate easily
through all the others and nd the information you need quickly
and easily.
Our books prole real jobs and the people doing them to provide
a broad overview of possibilities. It is not a denitive list but is
intended to provide some insights into what it can mean to work in
these particular roles.
Career FAQs books are divided into three main sections.
The big picture provides an overview of the industry,
employment opportunities and salary scales. It provides
information about the main employers and the variety of support
organisations that exist.
Insider info proles the personal experiences of people who are
currently working within the profession. It allows you to discover
what people working within the industry say you should expect
from working in different jobs at various levels of seniority.
Ready, set, go for it! tells you how you can get the appropriate
training and experience to ultimately get that job you want and
guides you through the process of gaining employment.
Style elements are used in Career FAQs books to help you navigate
through the information.
is a snapshot of a persons career pathway
it shows some of the key job stepping stones
along an individuals career path that led to
the current position
indicates that another Career FAQs title has
more jobs of this type
gives you directions to nd out more about a
particular topic or organisation
Career FAQs books that
are grouped by theme and
focus on a particular lifestyle
choice or personality type,
such as Xtreme, have the
three sections covered for
each of the extreme jobs
listed.
fyi
f i nd out
more
cv
detour
Many words, phrases and
acronyms are dened in
buzz words at the back of
this book.
fyi
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xii
provides additional information or an interesting
fact and provides directions to relevant appendixes
is used as a margin note to help clarify the
meaning of a word (in bold typeface) within text
also dened in buzz words.
are jobs in the industry or profession that, at the
time of writing, are in demand
is a short prole of a specic job, with
characteristics such as salary, qualications,
number of hours worked, the ability to balance
personal and work commitments and the exibility
afforded by the employer
explodes popular myths surrounding a particular
career choice
is a day-by-day overview of the typical work-
specic activities required of an individual in a
particular job
jobs that have an unconventional, interesting
or out of the ordinary focus
tells the story of real experiences of people
working in the industry
highlight some of the issues associated with a
particular career such as difculties or obstacles
that you might face in the featured industry
glossary
tradeoffs
myweek
brief
in
q&a
fyi
f
a
c
t
MYTH
hotjobs
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1
The big picture
Why information technology?
have a knack for programming, or would like to turn your hand to
creating computer games.
Whatever your motivation or your background, it has probably become
clear to you that computers and IT are going to be a big part of your life
and of the world you live in. IT, including the Internet technologies, is
having, and will continue to have, a huge impact on all kinds of careers,
occupations and professions, so that even if your work is not strictly
within the IT eld, it is increasingly likely to have an IT component.
Computer technology has changed the world more than almost any
other single invention in the last generation. Think electricity, the
Industrial Revolution, or the printing press. Computers and IT are right
up there in the same league as the basis for whole new industries
and occupations. This is a big part of the attraction of an IT career and
many of the professionals interviewed echoed the sentiment.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:1 13/3/06 2:41:57 PM
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2
I like dealing with new situations, learning new things, handling
new challenges, and using my analytical ability.
Raymond Allo, Senior Database Administrator, Oracle
jobs that are advertised today hadnt been thought of 10 years ago,
the phone.
With the advent of broadband, the growth in home networking,
3G mobiles, digital downloads, and the perennial quest for ever more
advanced computer systems, the variety of jobs and kinds of career
paths available continue to proliferate.
All of this is too much for just one title, so this book will pay special
attention to those occupations that are identiable as part of the IT
department of a business, rather than, say, the graphics department,
or the marketing department. Well cover those in other editions,
although a web programmer and an instructional designer are
included in this book.
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3
The bi g pi cture
What do IT people do?
IT roles require many different skills and qualications. At the more
technical end of the spectrum, in programming, software and
network engineering, strong mathematical and analytical skills are
essential and it is safe to say that these roles are very intellectually
demanding. While some of our interviewees were self-taught natural
programmers, most believe that success in complex programming
roles requires tertiary qualication.
However, there are opportunities to use many different abilities in the IT
eld. For example, technical writing requires an ability to put technical
concepts into words and, while you dont need programming skills to do
it, you need an in-depth understanding of IT concepts and terminology.
Support, help desk and network administration require the ability to
grasp technical concepts and learn high-level computer skills, but equally
important is the ability to relate to people on their level, to understand
their requirements and to help them feel at ease with the technology.
Project management and system architecture require in-depth
knowledge of computer systems, but, just as important, a air for
managing people, budgets, processes, clients and stakeholders. Strong
managers may not be particularly good programmers, and vice versa.
Consulting and contracting, which are more common in IT than in many
other professional areas, are often more about your ability to understand
the business requirements of a situation, and how the technology can
be applied to it, than they are about programming ability.
The IT roles discussed in this book regularly perform the following
tasks and more:
programming, software development and analysis
technical writing, e-learning and instructional design
consulting and contracting in a variety of roles
database administration, development and programming
help desk, support and network management
web design, programming and back-end web development.
The abbreviation IT
information technology:
is used throughout this
book rather than the often-
used ICT (information and
communications technology)
or the rarely used IT&T. They
all refer, more or less, to the
same eld.
fyi
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4
What does it take to be a good
IT professional?
To nd out what it takes to work in IT, we went straight to the source
and asked IT professionals themselves. Despite the tremendous
variety of roles on offer in the IT world, the following characteristics
came through time and again.
Passionate
Curious about what makes things tick
Self-motivated
Meticulous and conscientious
Adaptable and versatile
Analytical
Intuitive
Committed to learning
Self-disciplined
Goal-focused
Diligent and industrious
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5
The bi g pi cture
It would be nice to offer a shortcut or a secret way to succeed in this
business without being smart and working pretty hard, but weve been
unable to nd it (although luck, good fortune and being in the right
place at the right time certainly play a part).
On the upside, the people we spoke to love what they do including
tackling ITs many challenges.
Whats happening right now?
At the midway mark of the rst decade of the new millennium, the
general employment market was at a 29-year high. The IT jobs market
has continued to recover from the downturn triggered by the dotcom
crash of 2001. The Olivier job index of July 2005 shows the growth in
IT jobs that started in December 2003 is continuing. Over the 200405
nancial year, a 55.75 per cent growth rate was recorded.
The dotcom revolution isnt over either, not by a long shot, and in fact
we may look back in 10 years time to nd that it really started only
in 2005 and 2006. Yahoo, a bellwether New Media stock, and Apple
Computer, both of which have been subject to considerable stock
market scepticism over the years, reported their biggest ever quarterly
prots in 2005. Google was recognised as the worlds most highly
capitalised media company and the NASDAQ reached a four-year high.
Current size of the profession
Locally, for the latest year in which gures are available (200203),
the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found a total of 235 696
Australians employed in specialist IT businesses. Of these workers,
69 per cent were permanently engaged in computer consultancy
services.
The IT industry is said to account for around eight per cent of
Australias gross domestic product (Australian Computer Society
200203). This gure includes IT and telecommunications
professionals. Research and development expenditure in IT was
estimated at $1439 million during 200203.
NASDAQ stands for the
National Association
of Securities Dealers
Automated Quotation and
is the computer system for
the second-largest equity
market in the US. The
NASDAQ composite index
measures stock prices for
companies traded on the
exchange, which tend to be
high technology stocks.
fyi
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6
Information technology, I believe, is what drives society and
has the greatest impact on society compared to everything
else. In the past it was the inventions of the printing press,
the telephone, the radio, television and the Internet. We are
heading towards pervasive computing. There are endless things
that IT will change in future. It is the driving force for change
and is here to stay.
Professor Heiko Schroeder, head of the School of Computer Science and Information
Technology at RMIT University
At the beginning of 2002, total IT imports were valued at $20 billion
annually, compared to imports of:
motor vehicles (non-industrial) $9.9 billion
fuels and lubricants $8.8 billion
textiles, clothing and footwear $4.8 billion
food $4.7 billion
books, toys and leisure goods $3.2 billion
household electrical goods $3.2 billion.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS)
estimates total IT employment across
sectors, including the automotive,
biotechnology and construction industries
and business and professional sectors, at
750 000 jobs. As will become clear throughout this book, IT opens
doors to a whole range of different occupations in different industries.
What are the job opportunities?
IT jobs can be found in every business sector and in just about any
company. If a business doesnt have a website these days, it doesnt
exist for many people who rely on the Internet to nd information. So
if you are interested in IT, there are thousands of jobs that you could
do. Here are just a few.
IT jobs are a signicant category in the employment market. The
sector has grown strongly, albeit with a large downturn after the
dotcom crash in 2001. Post-crash recovery is sustained and has been
strong throughout 2005. And while there are no actual skill shortages
in IT, there is healthy demand for many IT skill categories.
Another factor
to consider is IT
employment in
non-IT sectors.
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7
The bi g pi cture
The 2004 Department of Workplace Relations survey notes strong
demand for professional skills in certain markets. New South Wales
stands out as a strong centre of IT employment nationally, particularly
for well-qualied and experienced professionals with a portfolio of
skills, good knowledge of the market and a strong personal network.
It is a candidate-short market at the moment. Those with the
right skill sets can have three or four opportunities to choose
from and, in some cases, name their price.
Jane Bianchini, Director of technology, Ambition Recruitment and Consulting
According to recent government surveys of skills shortages, there are
no listings for IT skills while there are shortages in plenty of trades
including plasterers, pastry chefs, plumbers and electricians as well
as professions such as radiographers and speech therapists, among
others. So if you cant cut it in IT, theres always pastry making ...
While there may not be too many shortages, employment levels are
high with very low unemployment levels.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:7 13/3/06 2:41:59 PM
8
On the other hand, over the 10 years to August 2004, employment for
IT professionals rose by 110 200 or 124 per cent a strong growth rate
of 8.4 per cent per annum, compared to the 1.9 per cent per annum
across all occupations. According to the Department of Workplace
Relations, average unemployment among IT professionals in August
2004 was 3.8 per cent (source: http://jobsearch.gov.au).
Australian Computer Society (ACS) estimates are higher at 7.2 per
cent, based on polling of their membership in 200203.
Competition for jobs is also a factor to consider when thinking about
a career. It appears from the gures and the information about
competition for jobs that there is every chance that you will get a job
in IT if you have the right qualications and experience.
The Seek job search website offers an indication of the numbers of
jobs being advertised in an industry. The following table shows the
approximate numbers of various job categories in December 2005.
Job title
Approximate no. of jobs on
Seek @ December 2005
Analyst/Programmer 2000
Business analyst 1000
Engineer (hardware) 140
Engineer (software) 400
Help desk support 700
Internet/multimedia design & dev 200
QA testers 650
Technical writers 70
Source: www.seek.com.au, December 2005
While such information does not give you any idea of future trends, it
does give an overall picture of the types of jobs on offer and the skills
and experience needed to do the jobs.
According to the 2004 Department of Workplace Relations survey of
78 recruitment agencies, representing 122 employers, an average of
28 applications were received for each IT vacancy, of which an average
of 5.8 were considered suitable for the position. The moral here: make
sure that you get the skills and build your experience so that you are
one of the 5.8 considered for the job.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:8 13/3/06 2:41:59 PM
9
The bi g pi cture
Hot jobs now
Some insiders say that the web services environment is getting very
big and that demand for C# (a Microsoft programming language) is
also increasing.
One of the challenges of getting into IT is the difculty of selecting a
specialty which is going to be in demand. In the late 1990s, a lot of people
thought that the Internet business would sweep ordinary retail aside and
forever change the way we are educated. Not to mention the doomsaying
around the Y2K bug, which was supposed to cause aeroplanes to fall
from the sky and the hospitals and banks to close down. (Then again,
maybe this would have happened if there hadnt been a fuss about it.)
We know now that many of these predictions were way off the mark and
that after the dotcom crash many who had prepared to be e-commerce
managers and webmasters found the going very hard indeed.
IT business analysis
IT business analysis is a growing eld and has the massive
advantage that it relies on more than raw IT skills. The ability
to relate business objectives to IT in a very detailed functional
specication is more highly sough than simple coding skills and
furthermore is often the hardest thing to offshore. Very good
written and spoken communications skills along with excellent
team playing ability are vital soft skills in this career path. TAFE
offers units in Business Analysis and related skills required for
many of these roles.
Business analysis jobs can lead to jobs in Project Management,
Intermediate Network Administration, DBA and hardware/software
infrastructure roles, e-business management, IT manager,
Operations Manager, Unix Admin, team leaders ... there are many
such roles in the current market up to about $120K at the upper end.
Senior IT positions
Senior positions include roles such as Senior IT manger, Project architect,
Data modeller, Programming team leader, Senior network architect, and
so on. Such jobs can attract salaries in the range of $100 to $130K.
glossary
Y2K stands for:
Year 2000 and refers to
the suspected computer
bug that would crash
computer systems
worldwide at the start of
the millennium. Google
search to nd out more
about this fascinating story.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:9 13/3/06 2:42:00 PM
10
In the corporate sector there are many higher salaries paid for
various kinds of IT/business specialty, particularly in the nance
sector. Along with greater management responsibility, specialist skills
required include network security, computer security and information
architecture. Many such roles have tough selection criteria requiring
postgraduate qualications and very specic experience.
Contract work
Contracting is a style of employment that is widespread in the IT
industry. For many IT workers, particularly applications specialists and
project managers, a period of working as a contractor is very likely
and by some estimates up to 80 per cent of all IT jobs are held by
contractors (Computerworld website data).
IT contractors are typically brought in for specialised roles that have
a limited duration. They are paid on an hourly or daily rate which can
be a very good rate indeed if you are well qualied, experienced or
certied in an in-demand skill.
Contracting can be a good living, but it has its issues. You may be
self-employed or work through an agency.
If you are self-employed, you are your own boss to some extent and,
provided you realise all of the implications of this and organise yourself
accordingly, you can maintain a good lifestyle. Elsewhere we have
looked at how some successful consultants manage their business.
The downsides are, rstly, little job security. A contractor can typically
be let go on the basis of an agreed notice period a week or two and
often works in a business only for several months before moving on
to the next project. Contracts may be cancelled due to factors outside
your control and you will nd yourself looking for work.
Secondly, if you are a truly self-employed contractor, that is, not
working through an agency or bureau, then you have to be your own
bookkeeper. You have to manage your own tax and super and this
takes a lot of attention to detail and some practical knowledge of
payroll management. Dont underestimate what is involved with this;
if you do, you can end up with nes from the ATO and ASIC, and a lot
of extra paperwork and hassle.
Contractors theoretically work on short-term projects. However,
in practice, some contractors end up at a workplace for years
(particularly with IT). When this happens, it is hard to distinguish them
glossary
ATO means:
Australian Tax Ofce
ASIC means:
the Australian Securities
and Investments
Commission, a body that
regulates companies and
nance in Australia.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:10 13/3/06 2:42:00 PM
11
The bi g pi cture
from casuals they are paid for the hours they work but receive no
benets such as sick leave or holiday pay. If they are knowledgeable
contractors with a lot of practical experience, they may end up in
functionally senior positions in the sense that they have a lot of
responsibility and may be indispensable to the organisation. Yet they
have no real authority to delegate or manage other people in the
workplace. It is easy to get into a rut in these situations.
The Government has frequently attempted to regulate IT contracting
by declaring that, after a certain period, contractors need to be treated
as employees for tax purposes. However, despite sporadic attempts
to enforce this over the years, contract employment has become the
norm in many places.
Agency contracting
A very common form of contracting is through an agency which
charges an overhead in addition to your hourly rate, in return for
placement in the position and looking after tax and super. Margins
on your hourly rate vary from 15 per cent up to 40 per cent, so
if you are being billed out at $35 an hour, the agency may be
invoicing the client for $50 or more. From your viewpoint, a good
agency relationship is worthwhile because they do look after your
tax and super payments, and often get you repeat assignments.
The contracting and recruiting industry has frequently been
subject to criticism in the past for questionable practices,
and has formed the ITCRA the IT Contract and Recruitment
Association the main aim of which is to ensure professionalism
and a code of ethics in the industry.
Be aware that, if you are contracting, you need to allow for
time between jobs and for annual leave. For the latter, you will
generally not receive any allowance, so you need to take that
into consideration when working out your actual remuneration
for the year. (Also, remember, no sick pay, no public holiday pay,
although you will usually get paid for all the hours you work.) The
Contractor Rates Guide takes this into account by giving yearly
salary estimates of hourly rates based on, rst of all, 48 weeks per
year and then on 35 weeks per year based on a 37.5-hour week.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:11 13/3/06 2:42:00 PM
12
Consulting
A consultant is a professional who provides expert advice in a
particular domain or area of expertise and there are many consultants
in IT according to www.wikipedia.org, the Internets communal
encyclopedia. Often brought in to advise on solutions to specic
problems, consultants build up their knowledge and perspectives over
time, and many specialise in very specic areas of IT, such as security,
architecture, interfaces or useability.
Like contractors, consultants are often self-employed, which means they
have to manage all the usual aspects of running a small business, as well
as keep up with new developments in their areas of expertise. We asked
Ian Benjamin, a consultant to the consultants, what consulting involves.
Ian Benjamin Consultant trainer
Ians company, Consultant Training Australia, works with consultants
from a range of industries to help them understand whats involved
in going out on their own. Ian has written a book, Consulting,
Contracting and Freelancing which covers the issues involved in
consulting and freelancing and running your own business, including
pricing, marketing, planning and more. Ian runs workshops around
Australia as well as speaking at and facilitating workshops for
business groups, consultancies, legal and accounting rms.
q&a
What are the main differences between being a consultant
and being a contractor?
A consultant is usually called in to devise a solution to a problem,
or recommend a course of action, while a contractor will implement
it. In this sense, consultants add more value to the organisation
as they have solved the problem. They are able to do this as they
have a wider outlook than that required for implementation and they
are prepared to take the risk of being accountable for the solution.
Normally, contractors work within parameters that have been initially
devised by the consultants.
Sometimes consultants will present a solution that they then
implement under contract, so the one person does both functions and
there is a certain amount of crossover.
What are the main advantages to being a consultant?
Being your own boss theres a great sense of freedom and autonomy.
Find out more about overseas
jobs in Career FAQs Global.
detour
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:12 13/3/06 2:42:00 PM
13
The bi g pi cture
Consultants are usually able to stay clear of office politics. You
have a certain freedom to work your own hours, although most self-
employed consultants work pretty hard. You can choose to work out
of your home office, and, to some extent, how much work you want to
do. You have more choice as to which jobs to take, and which clients
to work with.
Finally, theres a lot of variety. You are exposed to many different
challenges and situations over time. This also becomes part of your
value to the client, because it gives you an important perspective
on situations.
Are there downsides of being a consultant?
Cash flow is one. You need to allow for gaps between contracts,
especially in the early stages of your consultancy. It can be a big
change for someone who has always received a regular salary and it
requires planning.
Being prepared to work alone is important. Some underestimate the
importance of the social side of their employment.
What are the vital ingredients necessary to start out as a
consultant?
You need specialist skills and knowledge which you can apply for the
benefit of clients. In IT, this will often be something over and above
general technical skills, usually requiring experience, judgment and
acumen. You also need more than one area of specialisation. If youre
a network specialist, and for some reason the market goes quiet in
that area, you need something else to fall back on. In my experience
you need about three areas.
Communications skills are very important. You need to be able to
demonstrate empathy and understanding of your clients situation,
using their language. You also need to be a very good listener clients
are often not entirely sure of what they are after and you have to
discern their real needs.
Persistence is also required. You may need to make many approaches
to organisations to gain one engagement.
And you need to be organised. Get a bookkeeper and make sure you
keep your paperwork up to date. Be punctual and always keep your
commitments.
How do you find work?
Thats a major part of your occupation if youre a consultant! You need
to develop a business plan, and a methodical, thorough approach to
promoting your services. Networking is all-important; stay in touch
with people you have worked with, with industry associations and
through the Internet. Be clear about what you do and what you have
to offer. You will need to develop stationery, business cards, and, of
course, a website.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:13 13/3/06 2:42:01 PM
14
How much can a consultant make?
Well it is hard to generalise; it depends on the demand for your
services, your ability to promote yourself and connect with your
clients, the type of client you work with and a number of other factors.
I have a chapter on pricing issues in my book, Consulting, Contracting
and Freelancing.
If youre a qualified professional, think in terms of rates for
professional services such as accountancy or legal opinion. So if
youre seasoned and have high-level skills in in-demand technologies,
you can charge thousands of dollars a day, or hundreds an hour. But it
is not an easy matter.
As a guide, find information on what hourly rates are being offered for
particular types of skills, and then consider that you are offering these
skills without the overhead of superannuation and leave pay and so
on that an employer would have to find for a regular staff member.
And if youre dealing with clients directly, they are paying neither
agency fees nor recruitment fees over and above your costs.
A big part of the skill of being a consultant is knowing how to
build your professional practice, how to deliver value and charge
appropriately for it, how to bill and collect. If youre the type of worker
who likes to have all of these things looked after by someone else,
youre probably not cut out for consulting.
Overseas opportunities
IT is a global industry and most of its core technologies have been
developed by companies that operate worldwide. Healthy tech-sector
industries have developed over the last two decades in India, Ireland,
Canada and Scotland, while the United States tech sector remains the
source of much of the worlds IT industry.
To live and work in a country denitely requires some language prociency.
However, as the global standards and programming languages are the
same everywhere, core IT skills are standardised around the world.
Irelands tech sector is booming with software development
accounting for 33 per cent of GDP and employing more than 90 000
people according to the Silicon Republic website. As for working in the
United States, a special class of visa called the E-3 was announced
in 2005 and is available only to Australians for work in specialised
occupations, including many IT occupations.
Find out more about
overseas jobs in Career
FAQs Global.
detour
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:14 13/3/06 2:42:01 PM
15
The bi g pi cture
Women in IT
Think IT and most people, rightly or wrongly, think of the stereotypical
nerdy geek or rather a male nerdy geek! However, as with all
stereotypes, they rarely reect reality. Women do work in IT, although
there is concern that many are leaving the industry or deciding on
other career paths.
Five years ago, women held 35 per cent of the IT jobs. Today, that
gure has dropped to 20 per cent according to the Chief Information
Ofcers Executive Council. Having a proportionate number of women
in IT is seen as crucial to the industry.
Women are articulate, excellent communicators and very good
at analysis. Without them IT will be without the balance that is
required for it to mature as other industries have. We do not
want to see our industry be stereotyped as males doing geeky,
nerdy work.
Con Colovos, Executive Director, CIO Executive Council
www.siliconrepublic.com/news
www.jobbankusa.com
www.jobsabroad.com
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:15 13/3/06 2:42:01 PM
16
IT career challenges
An oft-cited difculty in IT is information overload. IT is a eld
that is constantly changing and very demanding in terms of
keeping up. Along with information overload, there is also the
difculty of knowing what specialties are going to be in demand.
The industry is renowned for rapid change so there is a risk that
what you learn today is out of date tomorrow.
There are opportunities and possibilities aplenty, though there
is also strong competition, not only among local job-seekers
jostling for a place at the table but from overseas workers. Global
factors, such as off-shoring and outsourcing, and the inux
of skilled migrant workers, can affect IT job opportunities in
Australia. An example of this is the outsourcing of call centres to
places such as the Philippines and India. Many local jobs shifted
to these places are with large corporations who have outsourced
their call centre facilities to cheaper overseas contractors.
While there are some great career choices in IT, there is no sure-
re route to career fullment. The variety and challenges of IT
are indeed fascinating, even if job security is not always assured,
and if you can handle change, are not afraid of hard work, know
your way around the complexities of an operating system, or can
come up with original ideas, there are some great opportunities.
How much can I earn?
The IT industry is often perceived as away of making lots of money. Bill
Gates is renowned for his millionaire status. A few years after Microsofts
original oat in 1986, the company had created more than a thousand
millionaires. Many IT companies gave their employees share options
(in the business) as well as their remuneration for work done. With
the dotcom bust, however, the shares in many companies became
worthless overnight. Googles current share price values the company at
more than many giant corporations of the industrial age. Who knows
what kind of opportunities will materialise in the IT world in the years
to come?
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:16 13/3/06 2:42:02 PM
17
The bi g pi cture
Not everyone who goes into the IT industry is going to make millions.
In fact, salaries in the IT industry are subject to wide variation. There
are some very highly paid positions in strategic areas, such as high-
level systems integration for the banks, or online consumer strategy
for the big media groups; these are executive-level positions.
At the other end of the scale, entry-level positions are hotly contested
by something of an oversupply of IT graduates, so salaries in the
routine areas of network admin, system analyst/programmer, and
these kinds of jobs, have been at or have even fallen over the last
several years according to several sources.
This table shows the different salaries of the people we spoke to for
this book.
Age
group
Position title
Approximate salary
as at 30 June 2005 ($)
No. of years
in job
No. of
years in
profession
23 IT support ofcer 38 00047 000 .5 2
24 Test analyst 38 00045 000 2 2
26 IT manager 65 000 1.5 1.5
27 Senior web programmer 60 00070 000 4 9
29 Computer systems ofcer 50 00070 000 2 6
30s Senior project manager 75 000150 000 1 8
33 Conguration specialist 50 00060 000 6 7
35 Director professional services 160 000 approx 4 13
37 IT manager 100 000 7 15
40 Instructional designer 75 000 1.5 7
40s Technical marketing manager 100 000+ 1 22
45 IT security specialist
$650$1200 daily
(contract rate)
5 20
47 SAP basis consultant 120 000 1.5 20
48
Research and development
manager
150 000 2 15
Career FAQs survey, 2006
Depending on your skills and knowledge, experience and the demand
for your specialised expertise, the sky is the limit. From IT support
ofcers earning about $38 000, to security specialists on $1200 per
day, theres a huge range of possible incomes.
A 2005 IT&T salary survey conducted by IT recruiters Ambit lists entry-
level software development jobs in C++ or VB at $45 000. The Hays
Salary Survey puts a junior help desk person on about the same level.
This salary information is corroborated by our interviewees.
glossary
C++ and VB are:
programming languages.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:17 13/3/06 2:42:02 PM
18
.NET developers get $20 000 more, or around $65 000, probably
because theyre in short supply. An entry-level Oracle developer is
valued at $55 000, the same as a junior technical writer.
A web services developer or a general business analyst can earn
around $90 000. Unix or Citrix (operating systems) engineers work in
Sydney at about the same mark.
Applications architects, applications development managers and
corporate IT managers can earn about $120 000.
Of those interviewed in this book, Darren Gray, Director of professional
services for Webraska, and John Turnbull, Director of his own consulting
company, both easily exceeded these incomes. Contractors such as
Barry Thompson bill in excess of $1000 per day. So there is real money-
earning potential in the business, although its by no means easy.
And there are many opportunities in the larger world of IT that cannot
easily be categorised or even forecast because computers and digital
communications are pivotal to the massive social and economic changes
that the world is going through at this time. Michael Page International,
a recruitment agency specialising in IT jobs, produces annual salary
surveys. In 2005, IT salaries were divided into three sectors:
commerce and industry
banking and nance
IT&T and consulting.
The Michael Page survey shows that in the commerce and industry
sector of IT jobs, a rst level helpdesk analyst can earn between $35
000 and $55 000. The same type of job in banking and nance or
IT&T can earn up to $75 000. Such salary surveys as these not only
show the different incomes possible but also indicate the jobs that are
currently in the marketplace.
Salary information is also available on job websites such as seek.com.
au providing salary ranges and the requirements of many IT positions.
However, you will frequently see the phrase salary dependent upon
experience indicating the recruiter does not want to put a xed value
on the potential package. This suggests that the company will make
an offer in response to the types of applications that come in and the
experience and quality of the applicants.
See Appendix 1 to see
how IT starting salaries
compare to salaries of
other professions.
Michael Page International
salary surveys for IT jobs
in 2005 are shown in
Appendix 2.
www.ambit.com.au/
salaryindex/it&t.asp
www.hays.com.au
f i nd out
more
glossary
.NET stands for:
Microsofts web service
environment.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:18 13/3/06 2:42:02 PM
19
The bi g pi cture
The following table shows some of the jobs on seek.com.au listed in
December 2005.
IT job, location Salary
Junior ASP/SQL developer Sydney $38K base + 9 % super
C#/NET developer Sydney $6090K
Senior J2EE developer Large Oracle environment Sydney $80K$100K
J2EE developer Brisbane up to $95K
Technical support, graduate position Sydney $44 600 package
IT help desk support Melbourne $40$50 + super
Technical consultant Newcastle $400 a day + super
Coder Melbourne $50K$60K
Senior software engineer Brisbane Up to $100K package
Mainframe systems analyst ACT $67 814$91 621
Software systems developer ACT $52 386$58 307
IT jobs on seek.com.au, December 2005
When a salary range is shown, this indicates the remuneration is
dependent on the experience and qualications that the candidate
has. More experience will attract the upper end gure.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:19 13/3/06 2:42:02 PM
20
Who are the main employers?
IT specialists and support staff are spread through every sector of
business and government. A quick roundup of the main employment
areas includes:
General commercial IT
Corporate IT
Banks and nancial institutions
Tertiary education
Government
Not-for-prot organisations.
General commercial IT
Opportunities for IT jobs are available wherever people are using
computer technology. IT specialties exist across all industry sectors,
from engineering and manufacturing through to entertainment and
the arts, retail, wholesale and healthcare.
A large employer in the general commercial sector is retail sales.
Given the extent of computer use in Australia in businesses and in
the home, retail outlets are a source of IT-related jobs given that
salespeople need to have some understanding of computers, their
capacity and functions to sell them.
glossary
SME means:
Small to medium
enterprise or, a company
that employs fewer than
500 people
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:20 13/3/06 2:42:03 PM
21
The bi g pi cture
Marketing and promotional jobs also exist side by side with the large
IT sales sector. In such jobs, technical IT expertise is not the main
component. Rather, your skills to market and promote the product
are valued. This is an example of how you can work in the IT industry
without actually having an IT-specic degree.
In the SME (small to medium enterprise) sector, there is a constant
requirement for IT management, network design, help desk and
support roles. Think of a current type of business in which employees
dont use computers on a daily business they are the only ones in
which you are not likely to nd demand for IT skills!
There are also specialties too numerous to list across industry sectors,
in disciplines as diverse as nancial management, computer-aided
design and graphics, inventory control and warehousing, retail POS
(point of sale) systems and general business-management applications.
Accordingly, the skills in demand in general commercial IT are
typically IT management, network management and administration, IT
purchasing, system management and backup, and the all-important
security management. Skills in demand will include Windows Server
Administration, Unix, Java/J2EE, Windows desktop conguration
and support.
Corporate IT
Corporate IT is continuing to recover from the dotcom downturn
that occurred from 2001 to 2003. Recruitment company Hays sees a
continuing modest recovery in demand, putting upward pressure on
salaries, and notes strong demand for project managers with solid
understanding of methodologies such as J2EE and .NET, system
architects and network engineers.
The corporate sector generally demands fairly high-level qualications
among IT applicants. You will notice that nearly all advertisements for
senior positions such as IT architects, data-modellers and senior network
engineers will stipulate tertiary qualications as a required criterion,
although they will sometimes consider equivalent experience.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:21 13/3/06 2:42:03 PM
22
In addition to the J2EE and .NET skills mentioned above, there is solid
demand in corporate IT for Cisco-certied network engineers; Oracle/
Peoplesoft/SAP consultants and database analysts (DBAs); Unix,
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Enterprise Resource
Planning (ERP) skills.
Over the past 20 or so years, the use of IT solutions for business
transactions, internal communications, stock control and other
business practices has grown exponentially. Not so long ago, few
companies had websites. Today a web presence is an important part
of a business corporate identity (and often income generation). All
this means that IT is essential to the efciency and protability of a
business and as such highly valued as are the people that implement,
develop maintain and service the IT requirements of a company.
Working for a corporate can also have the added advantage of travel.
Many multinational companies have ofces around the world and
are happy to relocate those employees who want to explore different
countries and cultures.
Banks and nancial institutions
A number of factors are driving IT employment in the nancial sector.
First of all, internet and telephone banking are now offered by
every bank and nancial services company. Banks are looking for
competitive advantages and differentiators and some, for example
ING Direct, have built their entire strategy around online services.
Secondly, banks have a major investment in mainframe systems which
are too expensive to replace, but must be integrated with all kinds of
new current client/server and web-based applications. This is driving
demand for system architects, integrators, business analysts and
programmers.
Finally, compliance with the Financial Services Reform Act 2001
requires the banks to formally certify that their staff are qualied to
talk about the investment and superannuation products being offered
to the public. This has generated big demand for e-learning and
learning management systems.
Banks and nancial services companies pay top hourly rates for
consultants and contractors. But it is one of those elds where
previous experience in the sector is preferred: nearly all of the job
advertisements will stipulate this and recruiters will nearly always
Find out about jobs that travel
in Career FAQs Global.
detour
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:22 13/3/06 2:42:03 PM
23
The bi g pi cture
refer to it as a selection criterion. If you want to get into the nancial
services sector, look for degree streams incorporating nancial
services disciplines and apply for entry-level positions in the sector,
for example on a help desk.
A strong and ever-growing employment category in the nancial sector
is that of business analyst. An analyst provides a highly detailed and
focused step-by-step analysis of the processes involved in all facets
of banking operations from depositing funds, issuing a super policy,
opening an account to managing a transaction. These meticulous
records and the corresponding documentation are requirements of
the Act. Experienced senior business analysts can get an hourly rate
of $75.
Tertiary education
The tertiary sector is a very large IT employer in its own right. Every
Australian university has a considerable investment in IT infrastructure
for everything from student records to the library to teaching and
learning systems. Although the pay scales are somewhat less than
in the nancial or corporate sector, tertiary sector IT workers enjoy
excellent employment conditions and a diverse range of professional
specialisations.
University IT covers everything from large-scale systems used in
university administration and enrolment processes, through to ultra-
specialised applications used for all manner of academic disciplines,
through to support for university students and staff all of whom rely
on computers.
Those considering an IT career should not overlook the career possibilities
offered by universities and other institutes of higher education.
The key points about a university IT environment are, rst, the sheer
diversity of people and projects with which youre likely to be involved,
and, second, the satisfaction of working with people who are genuinely
interested in what they are doing for its own sake and not only for
the bottom line. Although universities operate in an increasingly
commercial environment, there is nevertheless a major commitment
to research and education which provides a completely different type
of atmosphere to that encountered in the world of commerce.
Universities, both in Australia and elsewhere, have been at the
frontline of many leading-edge developments in IT, partly because
of the presence of gifted and innovative researchers and thinkers,
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:23 13/3/06 2:42:04 PM
24
and also because of their own specialised requirements. The name
of Sun Microsystems comes from an acronym for Stanford University
Networks. The World Wide Web was invented by an academic
researcher at CERN in Switzerland, primarily as a means to share ideas
with other researchers. Many important aspects of Unix have been
developed in university environments.
Universities employ a range of programmers, analysts, database
managers, network engineers and IT managers, usually called computer
systems ofcers (CSOs), in this environment. Universities are typically
very diverse technological environments with a wide range of systems
often connected by way of very high-speed network connections.
Pure research and learning
The more academically-inclined postgraduate wishing to pursue
pure research in the IT disciplines, even acknowledging the
commercial difculties involved, will still nd there are some
fantastic learning opportunities and job opportunities at
advanced facilities such as the University of Sydneys newly-
opened Multimedia Labs and at the advanced computing
labs dotted around the countrys engineering and computer
science departments. The possibilities are truly endless, even if
sometimes work can be hard to nd. And, who knows what you
could discover or invent?
Aside from Business IT there are a whole range of specialisations in
IT research so dont discount the roles within academic computing.
glossary
CERN means:
the Conseil Europeen pour
la Recherche Nucleare, the
European research lab where
the Web was born
Discover the history of the
World Wide Web at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
world_wide_web
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:24 13/3/06 2:42:04 PM
25
The bi g pi cture
Government
All Federal and State departments use computer and Internet
technology and government is a major employer across the spectrum
of IT roles. Government sector pay rates are quite competitive and
the conditions generally equal or are superior to those offered by the
corporate and nancial sectors.
Look for federal public service IT jobs in the Australian Public Service
Gazette. State public service IT jobs are advertised on the various
government websites and in the major Saturday newspapers.
An IT credential that is in demand in the government or public sector
is the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) qualication. ITIL comes from
the UK-based British Computer Society (BSC) Information Systems
Examination Board and provides a methodological framework for
understanding large-scale IT implementations, help desk management
and issue escalation, change management and software rollout. ITIL
is a relatively short course which, if undertaken in conjunction with
network administration or other IT management programs, forms a
useful qualication for public sector IT.
Not-for-prot organisations
There are some people who want to combine their professional
qualications and their passion for a cause. Many people working in
the not-for-prot sector are doing just that. This might mean working
in Australia for any of the major or small charities, in organisations that
protect the environment, or working overseas for an aid organisation.
Salaries in this sector are sometimes not as high as in the corporate
world, but working for an organisation that is making a difference has
its own rewards.
www.afsd.com.au
www.rba.gov.au
www.australian-universities.
com
www.psgazetteonline.gov.au
www.bcs.org
www.goodcause.com.au
www.pathwaysaustralia
.com.au
www.probonoaustralia
.com.au
www.volunteeringaustralia.org
f i nd out
more
glossary
BSC is:
the industry body for IT in the
United Kingdom. It provides
service and support to the
IT community including IT
practitioners and employers
of IT practitioners.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:25 13/3/06 2:42:04 PM
26
What are employers looking for?
Companies that employ IT people are looking for skills that will ensure
that their computer systems are maintained and function well. More
and more, the running of business relies on the IT systems working
effectively and efciently. Employers are looking for energetic, highly
motivated employees, who enjoy solving problems and work well
in teams.
Meet some employers
Lets have a closer look at what some business managers look for
when recruiting IT personnel. An understanding of what employers are
looking for will help you to plan your education and skills acquisition.
We interviewed some employers of IT people from different business
sectors to nd out what they are looking for.
Janice Ma, Westpac
Fiona Hathaway, Microsoft Australia
Michele de Laine, Centrelink
Janice Ma Westpac
In her position as IT graduate manager at Westpac, Janice is involved
in recruiting new IT staff through the banks graduate program and
from applications in response to job advertisements.
q&a
What are you looking when you employ people to work in
your IT department?
We look to employ people who are motivated, energetic and can
embrace change. Individuals should have the appropriate technical
skills and also the soft skills, such as communication, as IT people are
expected to liaise with our business partners on a day-to-day basis.
People who have similar values to Westpac teamwork, integrity and
achievement are looked upon very favourably.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:26 13/3/06 2:42:04 PM
27
The bi g pi cture
What are the main IT jobs that people do in your company?
There are at least 99 types of roles within IT. This includes Database
administrators, Analyst programmers, IT stream leads, Solution
designers, help desk administrators, Project managers, Business
analysts, Program office managers, Project coordinators, Information
security consultants, and Infrastructure engineers.
How many people work in IT at your company?
In Sydney, Westpac IT has over 1000 employees.
What do you feel young people considering a career in IT
should know about the industry?
The perception of having a role in IT is often of someone sitting alone
and programming behind a desk. This is no longer true. The roles in IT
have changed now IT staff work closely with the business, assisting
the business drivers in enabling change within the organisation.
In your opinion, what are job opportunities like in the
industry right now?
In my opinion, there are lots of job opportunities within the IT industry
because there has been a dramatic drop in the enrolments in IT
courses at universities.
How has the industry changed?
The industry is ramping up again businesses need IT to assist them
in meeting their goals.
What personal attributes suit people who want to work in
the industry?
People who are innovative, energetic, motivated and embrace change.
Whats the best thing about working in IT?
At Westpac, it would have to be the people, especially the team-work
aspect. Also, its great having the opportunity to work on interesting
projects and seeing these implemented.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:27 13/3/06 2:42:05 PM
28
Fiona Hathaway Microsoft Australia
As recruitment manager for Australia and New Zealand at Microsoft
Australia, Fiona coordinates recent graduates moving into many IT
positions at this branch of the multinational corporation.
q&a
What are you looking when you employ people in the
industry?
At Microsoft, we look for highly energetic people with initiative and
drive; people who are smart and practical in their area. The most
important talents we seek from our applicants are genuine passion
and curiosity about technology, creative thinking and the desire to
work hard alongside some great minds in the industry.
How do you recruit people?
It is best if you apply for a specific advertised opportunity. Online
applications are preferred. A proportion of the people we employ
come referred to us by someone they know who already works for
Microsoft our employees often recommend Microsoft to their friends
and acquaintances as a great place to work. Generally we only use
recruitment agencies for specialist senior roles.
What do you expect from them in terms of applications
and interview?
We need to see a basic CV that details what you have been doing and
what your interest areas include, plus a copy of your transcripts. We
would only expect a CV of two to three pages in length. Microsoft does
not ask you to fill out a specific application form. You can expect a
minimum of three interviews, and perhaps an initial HR phone screen.
What types of jobs are in demand? What specialties are you
most interested in for your business?
A number of different careers exist at Microsoft. Basically there are
four large groups: sales, marketing, technical and support (such as HR,
finance). We look for energy, intellect, and creativity, and ask that you
share our core values: integrity, honesty, and a passion for customers
and what technology can do for them. There are also some key jobs at
Microsoft.
Product Solution Marketing Managers, who work as the internal
and external spokespeople for a particular product, its solutions
and associated market issues.
To apply with Microsoft
online, go to
www.microsoft.com/australia/
careers
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:28 13/3/06 2:42:05 PM
29
The bi g pi cture
Technical Account Managers, who own the support relationship
with Microsofts most important customers; they have a thorough
technical understanding of our products and the infrastructure
which supports our products. Through highly proactive engagement
they are constantly alert to opportunities which develop, improve
and maintain those relationships.
Technical Consultants, who help make sure business customers
who adopt Microsoft technologies experience a seamless,
intelligent and effective service so they can enjoy all the benefits
Microsoft frameworks and technologies can bring to their business.
Account Managers, who are in a sales role within the organisation
and have primary responsibility for the overall Microsoft relationship
with a set number of customers in a specified industry segment.
Partner Account Managers, who deal with the companies Microsoft
works with to access the customers in the market. The main
responsibilities of Partner Account Managers are to manage
relationships with Microsoft Partners and also manage our ability to
provide technologies and services to our large corporate customers.
HR Managers, who work with Directors and Senior Managers. The
HR Managers key responsibilities are to develop and deliver the
HR strategy aligned to the overall business strategy, in addition to
providing HR consultancy services to business units across Microsoft.
In your opinion, what are job opportunities like in the
industry right now?
IT is a constantly evolving market segment so we believe it is an
excellent career choice for young people.
Technology will never stop developing and Microsoft is at the
forefront of these developments. The need for technical specialists to
contribute to this constant drive for improved business performance
via IT initiatives will remain. In the last 30 years software has provided
amazing capabilities and power and the software of tomorrow will
build on the already-powerful capabilities we have today to continue
to deliver and change our daily lives.
We believe this means if you enter the IT industry, particularly with
Microsoft training and certification, you can look forward to a broad
suite of career opportunities which can take you forward within
Australia and overseas. The IT industry is a truly global marketplace
and the skills you develop are as much in demand offshore as locally.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:29 13/3/06 2:42:05 PM
30
How do you suggest people wanting to break into the
industry get in?
Whether youre already in a career or still in school, there are many
resources available to help you learn more about IT careers. A good
way to start is to identify IT jobs that interest you, find out about the
skills you will need for that job, assess your current skills to identify
what you must learn, and then access the training options that will
help you build the skills you need.
We have an intern program for recent university leavers who get the
opportunity to work in our business for a 12-month period. This is
fantastic for the intern as it gives them the opportunity to experience
working in a global IT organisation and build up their practical skills.
Microsoft employs 15 to 18 interns nationally each year.
What personal attributes suit people who want to work in the
industry?
At Microsoft, we believe its the people who design, develop, market,
sell and support our products who make us the company we are.
Were always looking for individuals who are passionate about the
technologies of tomorrow.
Whats the best thing about working in the industry?
Working in IT is always interesting, challenging, creative and fast
moving. It has good travel opportunities and great financial rewards.
IT is a great industry which allows you to work with the latest
technologies and you get to play with cool stuff!
Any negatives?
Not that we can think of.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:30 13/3/06 2:42:06 PM
31
The bi g pi cture
Michele de Laine Centrelink
As the Business Manager in the Strategic Recruitment & Diversity
Section of the Workplace Capability Branch at Centrelink, Michele is in
a good position to tell us about the state of play for the recruitment of
IT professionals in the public sector.
Centrelink is a Commonwealth Government Agency that has as
its purpose serving Australia by assisting people to become self-
sufcient and supporting those in need.
In her job, Michele looks after recruitment policy for all positions at
Centrelink. She also has a broader perspective on the opportunities
in this sector from being involved with several interdepartmental
committees relating to IT recruitment, retention and skill development.
q&a
How many people work in IT at Centrelink, and what types of
employment are there?
Within any government agency there are different types of staff:
ongoing or permanent staff, short-term or temporary staff,
contractors, and shared people whom we borrow from other
departments or agencies.
Centrelink employs roughly 2500 ongoing IT staff. This is out of
about 27 000 staff altogether at Centrelink, so the IT group is a very
significant percentage of the overall staffing of the organisation. It
is absolutely fundamental to Centrelinks ability to be able to deliver
services to the public. IT is the enabler that allows Centrelink to
deliver services on behalf of 22 key agencies and distribute more
than $44 billion in assistance to the Australian community each year.
Centrelinks customer database holds 260 billion data items. This is
because all of the transactions individual customer service officers
have with customers, and all of the payments require IT systems to
underpin them
What are the opportunities like in the public sector right now?
The recruitment of IT people is generally something we are quite
concerned about this is because there are not enough people studying
IT any more. The numbers have really tapered off since 2000. We are
particularly interested in getting more young people and more women
into IT studies so that they become available for us to recruit later on.
The pool of people currently available in the IT labour market is also
small. A lot of the agencies with larger IT sections, like the Australian
Bureau of Statistics, Australian Taxation Office, Child Support Agency,
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:31 13/3/06 2:42:06 PM
32
and Medicare Australia, are also fishing in the same pond. So theres
quite an issue in terms of being able to procure the people we need.
A number of interdepartmental committees have been set up to look
at what we can do about this shortage of IT staff. One committee,
which I am involved, in relates to the Department of Human Services,
which includes Centrelink, Medicare, Child Support Agency and some
smaller agencies in its portfolio. Both Centrelink and Medicare are
very large IT employers and, through the committee, a number of
short-term loans of people with particular skills to meet short-term
needs in one or other of the agencies have been made.
Its called skill share, and is intended to maximise the use we
collectively make of people within the Department of Human Services
portfolio to meet short-term IT needs. A person might work for
Medicare, Centrelink, or another agency, and they will respond to a
short-term vacancy advertised on our Intranet if they feel that they
have the skills and experience. That gives them the opportunity to
move so that they can broaden their experience. They can make a
specific contribution and see how things are going somewhere else.
Why should people work for Centrelink?
Centrelink is the biggest IT shop in the southern hemisphere, so if you
think of almost any kind of IT specialisation, weve got it. That means
that there are many IT career opportunities at Centrelink. People who
work for Centrelink often dont need to go to other agencies or other
companies because they can build a career within the one agency. We
have the opportunities to specialise so its possible to move around
many times and not be bored.
A lot of people join us because they want to make a difference. Most
people in Australia have been touched in some way by Centrelink
they might have experienced bushfires, needed farm assistance or
have unemployment requirements or been at university and received
Austudy. So people have had that experience and want to give back to
the community.
Whats the difference between working in the public and
private sector?
The main difference is that when you join government you have the
opportunity to directly contribute to improving peoples lives. The
scale of IT projects, particularly in a large agency like Centrelink, is
rarely matched in the private sector.
When you compare the public sector overall to the private sector, the
salaries available in the private sector are often much greater. That
causes us some difficulty. We do use AWAs to try and balance the
difference in some fashion where we can and to reward people in ways
that appeal to them.
glossary
Skill share means:
the short-term movement
of staff between different
government agencies during a
skills shortage.
glossary
AWA means:
Australian Workplace
Agreement, an individually
written agreement between
an employer and employee
covering the employers salary
package and other conditions
of employment.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:32 13/3/06 2:42:06 PM
33
The bi g pi cture
The good news is that all government agencies are linked. When
you join an agency, you actually join the Australian Public Service
(APS) and so you can potentially apply for jobs in any public sector
department or agency. Entry into one of the agencies, such as
Centrelink, means that you have the opportunity to move across the
whole of the APS. And that is very, very large. This also means that
staff have the opportunity to build a long career in the APS either in
a single agency in Centrelinks case or across agencies and to do a
broad range of roles within that. Very few private sector organisations
can offer that.
What areas of IT in particular do you see as being in demand?
One of the areas in which we have trouble recruiting staff is
mainframe, as universities dont tend to teach that. Centrelinks major
payment systems depend on being able to support the mainframe.
The trend in the way that IT applications work is that there are a
lot more web-based solutions being developed and offered at the
moment, so we need people in that area in particular. Mainframe is
not sexy as it is regarded as old technology young people like web-
based but we need to support both. Centrelink has a hybrid system.
Skills in J2EE are needed as with many other employers.
What attributes are necessary for someone to work in IT
at Centrelink?
The Centrelink website (under Working in Centrelink) has information
about the range of job opportunities and the criteria used to assess
applications. There is detailed information there about the IT Graduate
Program.
In terms of qualifications, we prefer not to employ people who have
done a very broad degree that includes only a little bit of IT. We
usually recruit people who have got a full IT degree. We require people
to have at least the equivalent of an Australian three-year degree
and that has to have been acquired in the last couple of years for the
person to be eligible for the graduate program.
Having said that though, its usually pretty competitive and that is on
par with what happens in all graduate programs, not just in IT.
People need to be particularly marketable in having a solid degree,
with good results. And they need to sell themselves with examples
to support their claims. Work experience with IT and in other areas
always helps doing something for a community organisation, or
part-time work is really, really useful because you get a taste for
what happens in the workplace. It means you are not coming into the
workplace totally cold.
glossary
Mainframe means:
a powerful computer that
can support many users
connected via terminals
simultaneously.
J2EE means:
Java 2 Platform Enterprise
Edition, an environment for
developing and deploying
web-based enterprise
applications online. It
supports HTML and Java
Applets and Applications.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:33 13/3/06 2:42:06 PM
34
In terms of personal attributes, I think historically people looked
at IT people as being technicians and having only technical IT
skills. We need people to have a blend of the technical IT skills and
communication skills, so they can communicate with the business
owners and relate to their fellow team members. You cant develop
a solution or understand what the business wants unless you can
communicate effectively with them. So they need a range of people
skills as well at IT/technical skills.
How does Centrelink recruit people?
Centrelinks biggest intake of staff within the IT area is through our IT
graduate program in which we currently recruit roughly 100 people a
year in two intakes. Centrelink seeks out employees in a number of
ways we liaise with universities, attend career fairs, and encourage
our staff to let their friends know that there are vacancies. We also
advertise on the Centrelink website, through online recruitment
portals such as seek.com, through the press, and in the Australian
Public Service Gazette.
The most important thing in the
programming language is the name.
A language will not succeed without a
good name. I have recently invented
a very good name and now I am
looking for a suitable language.
D.E. Knuth, 1967
glossary
The Australian Public
Service Gazette means:
a publication that includes
jobs for all government
departments and agencies.
About job opportunities in the
government sector
www.centrelink.gov.au
click on working at
Centrelink
www.australia.gov.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:34 13/3/06 2:42:07 PM
35
The bi g pi cture
What support organisations exist?
There are a number of organisations to assist and support IT
professionals. The best starting point for each is of course their website.
Australian Computer Society
The ACS is the recognised national association for ICT professionals,
attracting a large and active membership from all levels of the IT industry.
The ACS is the public voice of the professional and the guardian
of professional ethics and standards, committed to ensuring the
benecial use of ICT. It is an active lobby group on issues affecting
the industry and seen as a relevant and credible commentator.
Professionals join the society to keep their skills and knowledge up
to date, hear challenging new ideas and concepts, participate in peer
group activities, and extend their professional networks.
Australian Information Industry Association
Full members of the Australian Information Industry Association
(AIIA) are producers or providers of software, hardware and services
for computers, telecommunications, ofce systems and electronic
information systems. Afliate memberships are also available for
companies which have interests and objectives in common with the
IT industry.
Australian Society for Computers in
Learning in Tertiary Education
The Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary
Education (ASCILITE) is a society for those organisations or people
involved in tertiary computer-based education and training, including
educational interactive multimedia. It aims to provide a forum for
discussion of the many issues facing tertiary educational use of
technology. Part of their charter is to promote research and evaluate
existing technological processes that provide exible delivery of
education in the tertiary sector.
ACSILITE collaborates with the Australian Society of Educational
Technology (ASET) to produce a joint journal.
www.acs.org.au
www.aiia.com.au
www.ascilite.org.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:35 13/3/06 2:42:07 PM
36
Association of Professional Engineers,
Scientists and Managers, Australia
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers,
Australia (APESMA) is a Quality Certied employee organisation and
provides an array of career, nancial, information and lifestyle services
to members.
CompTIA
CompTIA stands for the Computer Technology Industry Association.
With strong links to government and other stakeholders, CompTIA
aims to improve industry growth, develop educational and industry
standards and professional competence in the IT industry.
As IT is a global industry, CompTIA represents IT worldwide. It has
ofces around the world in Amsterdam, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai,
Dsseldorf, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, London, Sao Paulo, Singapore,
Tokyo, Toronto and Washington, D.C., and in Sydney.
Other specialist industry groups include the Australian Multimedia
Interactive Industry Association (AIMIA), and the Australian Internet
Industry Association.
There are also a large number of user groups and special interest
groups (SIGs) for various aspects of IT.
Internet Society of Australia
The Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) is the Australian chapter of
ISOC and was founded in 1996 to help promote the use of the Internet
in all facets of the Australian community: business, professional,
academic and in the private sector.
It is a not-for-prot organisation that has membership for individuals,
and organisations. Discount memberships are available for students.
National ICT Australia
National ICT Australia (NICTA) is an ICT research centre formed by
the Federal Government and the Australian Research Council. With
consortium partners, the Australian Capital Territory Government, the
NSW Government, the University of NSW and the Australian National
University, NICTA is set up to attract, develop and network ICT talent in
a world-class research environment.
www.apesma.asn.au
www.aimia.com.au
www.iia.net.au
www.comptia.org
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:36 13/3/06 2:42:07 PM
cisco.com/asiapac/academy
Copyright 2003 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Networking Academy, Cisco, Cisco Systems, and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks
of Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document or Web site are the property
of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1203R)
THE CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY
TEACHES
COMPREHENSIVE INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY
SKILLS TO STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOLS, TECHNICAL
SCHOOLS, TAFE INSTITUTES AND UNIVERSITIES
AROUND THE WORLD.
The Net worki ng Academy program ut i l i zes a bl ended
l earni ng model , i nt egrat i ng f ace-t o-f ace teaching
with a challenging web-based curriculum, hands-on lab
exercises, and Int ernet -based assessment .
Academy graduat es are bet t er prepared f or net working
and IT-relat ed careers in t he public and privat e sect ors,
as w el l as f or hi gher educat i on i n engi neeri ng,
comput er sci ence and rel at ed f i el ds.
Di scover t he di f f erence t he Ci sco Net w orki ng
Academy
Program can make.

now.
Fi nd out more at ci sco.com/ asi apac/ academy or emai l pscope@ci sco.com
LEAD THE FUTURE.
Who are we?
Centrelink is a vital part of the Australian
government - we specialise in the delivery
of a wide range of services and payments
to the Australian Community.
Centrelink has:
over 25,000 staff all over Australia working
to deliver the best services we can to our
customers.
more than 1000 service delivery points
assisting about a third of Australias
population, including families, retirees,
people with disabilities and job seekers.
one of Australias largest Information
Technology networks, on a typical day
we support 14 million customer records
and 12 million customer transactions
the biggest single purpose call centre
network in Australia. Every year our 26
call centres successfully handle over
28 million phone calls
Centrelink administer around 140 products
and services for Australians on behalf of
25 government agencies.
Centrelink is a
customer focused
organisation. Behind the scenes,
we have many opportunities for
professionals to contribute to the
delivery of services to the Australian
Community.
Our people are:
Social Workers
Auditors
Project Managers
Customer Service staff
Business Analysts
Researchers
Psychologists
Lawyers
Information and
Communications Technologists
Public Affairs/Journalists
Human Resource Professionals
and more.
For inform
ation
about vacancies and
w
orking at Centrelink,
please visit our w
ebsite
h
m
a
C
0
4
1
6
0
9
www.centrelink.gov.au
Want to get ahead in the IT industry?
JOIN COMPTIAS IT PRO AUSTRALIA YOUR IT CAREER CONNECTION
SUPPORTED BY LEADING ORGANISATIONS IN THE
GLOBAL IT INDUSTRY INCLUDING APPLE, CISCO,
HEWLETT-PACKARD AND MICROSOFT, IT PRO AUSTRALIA
IS YOUR PASSPORT TO A COMMUNITY OF IT
PROFESSIONALS, OFFERING COMPREHENSIVE CAREER
ADVICE, BENEFITS AND DISCOUNTS.
IT Pro Australias member benefits include:
Career roadmaps and mentoring
Training and educational opportunities
Australian job bank
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Member discounts on technology products, education, certifications
and events
IT PRO AUSTRALIA IS YOUR IT CAREER CONNECTION.
JOIN TODAY BY VISITING WWW.ITPRO.COMPTIA.COM.AU
WHO I S COMPTI A?
The Computing Technology Industry Association
(CompTIA) represents the business interests of the
information technology (IT) industry. For 24 years
CompTIA has provided research, networking and
partnering opportunities to its 20,000 member
organizations in more than 102 countries worldwide.
CompTIA initiatives extend to areas such as
convergence technologies, electronic commerce,
information security, IT services, public policy,
skills development, and software. CompTIA helps
organization maximize the benefits they receive
from their investments in technology; and assists
IT workers to obtain the skills they need for
productive careers in technology.
With its IT Pro Australia program, CompTIA is
responding to leaders in the Australian IT industry
by creating a platform to support the ongoing career
and skills development of the nations IT students
and professionals. Headquartered in Chicago,
CompTIA has offices in Amsterdam, Beijing, Brussels,
Delhi, Dubai, Dusseldorf, Hong Kong, Johannesburg,
London, San Paulo, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and
Washington D.C.
2006 The Computing Technology Industry Association. All rights reserved.
Your Potential. Our Passion
Imagine having the resources to influence tomorrows
reality today. At Microsoft, we are seeking people whose ideas
can make a difference, individuals who thrive on the opportunity
to think creatively and be empowered to deliver.
If youre ready to discover your full potential and believe that
working in this great industry is supposed to be fun, we invite
you to explore the unlimited adventure of a Microsoft career. Its
amazing what you can do here.
PRODUCT TECHNOLOGY SPECIALISTS, INFRASTRUCTURE
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exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt
ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate
Key criteria includes:
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CORPORATE ACCOUNT TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST
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Key criteria includes:
Sched diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.
Autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum.
Live on the verge of
the next big thing.
All Microsoft career opportunities are posted daily to our website
at www.microsoft.com/australia/careers Applications are to be
submitted through the website and only shortlisted candidates
will be contacted. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer.
Imagine having the resources to inuence tomorrows reality today. At Microsoft, we are seeking
people whose ideas can make a difference, individuals who thrive on the opportunity to think
creatively and be empowered to deliver.
If youre ready to discover your full potential and believe that working in this great industry is supposed
to be fun, we invite you to explore the unlimited adventure of a Microsoft career.
Its amazing what you can do here.
2004 & 2005 Australian Employer of Choice
Australian HR Magazines awards
Worlds Most Respected Company
Financial Times Global CEO survey 2005
2005 EOWA Waived Organisation
41
Insider info
What jobs could I do?
To help you get the inside story, we have interviewed a number of IT
professionals who represent the diverse array of jobs available in this
industry. While these jobs by no means represent all the options, they
do provide you with some idea of what the following different roles
are about.
IT support ofcer
Software test analyst
IT manager
Computer systems ofcer
Senior Oracle database administrator
IT consultant
Instructional designer
Conguration specialist
Director of professional services
Web programmer
Project Manager
IT security consultant
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:41 13/3/06 2:42:08 PM
42
SAP specialist
Analyst programmer
Systems engineering manager
System engineering director
Manager technical marketing
What do real people say about
their jobs?
We asked people in IT about their careers and the type of work they do.
What came out strongly in the interviews is that most IT professionals
nd their work interesting and varied. They tend to work very hard at
keeping up their skills and the knowledge base that IT requires.
Nearly all singled out variety and challenge as positives in their
careers. They all seem to enjoy having to deal with a range of issues,
problems and situations. That said, there are IT options that wont
require the same kind of high-wire prociency library technology
and database administration may offer less hectic routes into IT
professions and offer a good deal more routine than some of the high-
wire IT acts. None of them said that working in IT is a pushover.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:42 13/3/06 2:42:08 PM
43
I nsi der i nf o
Lorretta Elias IT support ofcer
There are three things to know about being a support ofcer or a help
desk operator. Firstly it is generally pretty hectic! People can be very
demanding when they have their own deadlines and issues, and often
theyll want things done yesterday.
Secondly you have to know your stuff. Nothing is more uncomfortable
(for either side) than being on the help desk but being unable to help.
Thirdly a lot of IT careers start on the help desk!
Lorretta Elias is an IT support ofcer with Tyco Health, a public
company that supplies healthcare products. In her early 20s, Lorretta
single-handedly runs the companys help desk. A typical day involves
answering frantic phone calls for help, handling general enquiries and
providing desktop support to about 250 users.
Two years ago Lorretta withdrew from a Bachelor of Business degree
to forge an IT career and gain her Microsoft Certied System Engineer
(MCSE) certication. She also completed a TAFE Certicate III in Network
Administration. She has been in her current position for six months.
q&a
What do you like best about your occupation?
I enjoy interaction with people I really like helping people sort out
their technology issues. I like networking as a discipline and keeping
track of technology issues. I like being the one who can sort things out
for people. Its a good feeling!
Are there any difficult issues in your job?
Occasionally you do get difficult or abusive customers the worst are
the ones who think they know a lot more about it than you, or anyone!
Also, dealing with older equipment approaching end-of-life can be
trying at times.
Briefly describe a particularly interesting matter or project
you have been involved in.
I have been working on creating a new installer image to create a
software build for the new laptops the company is bringing in. That
has been really interesting. Plus I have been working on a custom
deployment profile for Microsoft Office.
Custom deployment profile ...?
Thats a standard installation which puts all the right Microsoft Office
components for a new workstation on a CD-ROM. You have to know
what youre doing to create these.
cv accounting >>
insolvency >> telephone
support >> IT traineeship
>> IT support ofcer
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:43 13/3/06 2:42:08 PM
44
What do you wish someone had told you about the IT
industry before you started on this career path?
Well, in my case, how interesting working in IT is! When I left school, I
was persuaded to do a general business degree in accounting, which
wasnt what I really wanted to do. I worked in accountancy as part of it
and frankly it was pretty dull.
Anyway, I was determined to get into IT. I got a job at a company
called DataCom doing Microsoft telephone support through some
friends, who recommended me for it. That got me started in the IT
business and I havent looked back.
How about worklife balance? Does your role allow for that?
To be honest, it is an issue sometimes. I am a single operator in this
place and it takes a lot of work to keep up. We have an issue-logging
system and I am responsible for everything on it, along with the phone
calls and the other projects. So yes, I am very busy, and sometimes
the hours are long, but I like the business.
What type of person do you think best suits your sector of the
industry?
I guess having the right attitude is first and foremost. You have to have
a real desire to help people. You have to be patient, and you need to
be able to relate to people on their level. When your users start to tell
you how you should be doing your job (and this does happen quite a
bit!) then you really need to be patient and not come back at them. Its
great training in patience and communicating with others.
You also have to be interested in the technology, and be motivated to
learn and keep learning.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
working in IT gets
you a big salary
I got into this position
through a traineeship
program in schools
and was paid a very
low hourly rate.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:44 13/3/06 2:42:09 PM
45
I nsi der i nf o
What should students know about working on a help desk
before choosing it as a career?
Before getting into IT they should give a lot of thought to what
exactly they want to do in this discipline whether it is programming,
business management, or support and help desk. They are all very
different kinds of work and you should be honest about what your
strengths are and what is going to suit you.
What do you think is the most important thing you can do to
advance your career?
Well you need both experience and certification to be in this kind of
role. I got my MCSE certification, which took a couple of years, but
it is an important part of the role. Im thinking about going back to
university again in the future.
But the most important thing is you have to love what you do!
Are formal qualifications necessary or optional for someone
in your position?
For support roles it is optional you can get these jobs if you have the
knowledge and pick up experience on the job.
myweek
Creating users
Deleting users accounts
Helping with VPN
Building machines,
Ghosting
Installing printers
Handling footprint enquiries and
policy stuff
Staff liaison meeting
Weekly review and look-ahead
Socialising
Dancing
Hobbies cars and snowboarding
Relaxing at home with the cats
brief
IT support ofcer
$$$ 40K45K
quals MCSE
hrs/wk 40+
lifework fair
exibility not much during
the week but few,
if any, intrusions
on the weekend
in
glossary
VPN means:
virtual private network
providing secure logins for
remote staff.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:45 13/3/06 2:42:09 PM
46
Lily Lo Software test analyst
Lily is in her early 20s and is a senior software test analyst at Access
Testing Centre in Sydney. A graduate with a Bachelors degree in
Computer Science, Lily started as a casual software tester before
moving into her current position.
q&a
What do you like best about your career?
Theres a lot of variety; every day is different. We test a lot of different
kinds of software applications for a range of clients. Also we test off-
site, at the clients office, quite frequently.
And least ...?
Having to test really buggy software! Also having to test specialised
applications that are difficult to understand.
What type of person do you think best suits your type of
work?
People who are persistent and patient and have an eye for detail.
It also helps if you can think outside the square when it comes to
testing how software should work.
What should students know about software testing before
choosing it as a career?
Computer science graduates have a misconception that testing is not
a specialty when it actually needs specialised skills. You have to have
a genuine interest in testing as a discipline. Some who have trained to
be software developers think that testing is a step down, but it is a
specialist skill in its own right.
Has being a test analyst lived up to your career expectations?
Yes, very much.
What aspects of your degree studies were especially relevant
to test analysis?
The subjects that were most relevant were Usability Design, Systems
Analysis, Database Design and Project Management. I didnt much
enjoy programming languages found it tedious.
cv casual work, retail
and hospitality >> IBM
volunteer, Sydney Olympics
>> university trainee
program >> consulting >>
casual software tester >>
software test analyst
brief
Software test analyst
$$$ around 45K
quals BSc Computer
Science &
Technology (USyd)
hrs/wk usually 38
lifework ne, this position
rarely goes over
normal hours
exibility limited but good
government
conditions
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:46 13/3/06 2:42:10 PM
47
I nsi der i nf o
Saul Bryan National IT manager
Working as an IT manager is the ultimate goal for many people in IT.
The position is typically responsible for an entire IT department the
systems, software and people. Many IT managers have worked their
way through the ranks, either as programmers and system analysts, or
through help desk management, or a variety of other routes.
IT managers need to know a lot of stuff sometimes they complain
that its too much stuff! They work across a broad range of topics,
embracing networking, operating systems, some programming,
server management, plus people skills, prioritisation and project
management.
Saul Bryan is National IT manager for Counterpoint Marketing which
is classied as an SME. Specialising in FMCG (fast moving consumer
goods) food services, Counterpoint Marketing operates Australia-wide.
Saul oversees all IT-related operations in the company. His roles
encompass IT project management as well as maintaining le-servers
and programming itself.
Saul graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of
Science degree in Pure Mathematics and Computer Science. His IT
career began 15 years ago when he took a casual job as a computer
salesperson. Saul joined Counterpoint seven years ago, after working
as an independent IT consultant for a few years. Hes now in his late 30s.
q&a
I make a difference and have a great deal of freedom. I try lots of
different things; my job is varied. The people are really nice. Its
satisfying when you solve problems.
And least ...?
When lots of things fail all at once and the stress levels go up. When
people become aggressive and unreasonable ... or blame you for
things that are beyond your control.
Project managing the development and roll out of a handheld sales
automation system for our 300 staff. Then rewriting the whole
thing myself!
cv casual shop
assistant (school) >> IBM
ofce assistant (UK) >>
computer sales (uni) >>
computer sales manager
(uni) >> consultant >>
NSW IT manager >>
national IT manager
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:47 13/3/06 2:42:10 PM
48
What type of person do you think best suits this industry?
Personal attributes excellence in communication, openness to
problem solving, ability to handle stress, keen to learn.
Skills all those required to do your tasks. Depends what they are.
In our case, it includes a lot of programming as well as more routine
things such as server configuration and maintenance.
Aptitude ability to find problems and find a resolution.
What should students know about IT management before
It is very varied. The education system breaks jobs into neat
defined tasks, but the real world is not always like that. Database
administrators might do some desktop support, and web designers
might help out with network administration. Server work sometimes
requires out-of-normal-hours work. Some management sees IT as
information plumbing and not really very important. Its also hard
to keep up with as the industry and the technology is constantly
evolving. You have to make an effort to keep yourself informed.
Has your current career choice lived up to your expectations?
Yes, I think so ... maybe because I had an open mind! If you expect to
only do a limited number of tasks you may be disappointed.
What is something you had to learn the hard way?
If you want a job done properly, you have to do it yourself. If its
important and you have to delegate it, oversee it carefully.
What can people do to advance their IT career?
Use a computer to do as many different things as you can! On a home
computer, set up a network, start a website, program a database. Play
and learn and create demos of what you can do. You never know when
what you have picked up will be useful, and you will have a deeper
understanding of more IT-related subjects. Also, continue to read
industry magazines such as Australian Personal Computer. Buy books.
Which part of your studies did you enjoy?
I discovered a love of programming at school, and I still enjoy it.
Interestingly, I learnt SQL at university and found it very difficult but
now its a breeze! (And essential for a lot of the systems we use.)
Are formal qualifications necessary?
Some training is required, as it shows an ability to learn. However, as
a hiring manager, I am open to someone who has industry experience
versus just qualifications.
Are there any ways of getting into the industry or your
position apart from completing a degree?
I got into my position as an IT consultant, doing contract network
support. Before that I had experience as a sales consultant and then
manager at a computer store at the university. So one job can lead to
another starting out as a salesperson can lead to greater things.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
computers are
infallible
They arent!
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:48 13/3/06 2:42:11 PM
49
I nsi der i nf o
Are there any particular recruitment processes that
candidates should know about?
Go to trade shows, like CeBit and speak to people. In Australia its quite
a small industry in some ways, and personal networking is important.
What are your tips for preparing an outstanding job application?
Consider that someone may have a hundred rsums on the table and
yours is one of them! It must be clear and well laid out. It should have
enough detail to show what you are capable of without being a novel
try to limit it to two or three pages, tops. For IT people, references to
online demos, websites, etc, that you might have done, are effective.
Show a bit of your personality in the rsum, and spend some time on
it. It is important!
Can you recall anything you did or said at an interview that
you feel made you stand out from other candidates?
I was honest about my abilities, and enthusiastic. Admitting that you
dont know something is fine as long as you show that you are keen to
learn about it.
Have industry networking, personal contacts and professional
organisations helped you to get to your current position?
Absolutely. Work colleagues become friends, and they can provide
opportunities. If I look at my own career, I can see personal contacts
as a major factor in all my job changes.
brief
National IT manager
$$$ good
quals BSc (Computer
Science and Pure
Maths) (USyd)
hrs/wk 4050
lifework OK, work does
not intrude too
much on my home
life apart from the
occasional weekend
exibility limited I generally
work ofce hours
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:49 13/3/06 2:42:11 PM
50
John Twyman University computer
systems ofcer
John is a senior Computer Systems Ofcer (CSO) at the School of
Geosciences at the University of Sydney. In his late 20s, John exudes
a palpable sense of excitement about his work even though he was
originally studying astronomy, not IT!
John switched to a major in IT instead, and graduated with a Bachelor
of Science in Computer Science and History and Philosophy of
Science. While studying, John worked as a computer salesman. After
graduating, he took up a temporary position as a relief ofcer at
the university. That led to a permanent position, which he held for
several years. John moved into his current position at the School of
Geosciences three years ago.
The eld of geoscience requires the use of a range of specialised
software, such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems software),
which John maintains across several student access labs. As the
system administrator, hes responsible for the conguration and
upkeep of the labs.
He also provides desktop support services for everyone (admin and
academic staff and students) along with consulting on a wide range of
IT issues for various people and projects within the school.
q&a
What do you like most about your occupation?
Engaging with students! I find working with honours students
particularly rewarding, as they are experienced but still new enough
to be retain their youthful enthusiasm. Plus the honours year is very
demanding and it is rewarding working with them.
I also enjoy running the IT orientation workshops, which provide students
and faculty with an introduction to various applications, for example
bibliographic software, word processing and graphics packages.
The school is involved with a fascinating range of programs for example,
the Angkor Wat restoration project being coordinated by UNESCO.
This involves universities from various parts of the world, and also
people from all different kinds of backgrounds human geographers,
cultural anthropologists, to name a couple. And we are involved with
other interesting projects in Antarctica and the South Pacific.
cv computer sales
representative >> degree
studies >> computer
systems ofcer >>
university computer
systems ofcer
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:50 13/3/06 2:42:11 PM
51
I nsi der i nf o
What do you like least?
Well, I suppose the plain old desktop support part of the role: dealing
with user problems, and accommodating a broad range of users with
varying skills. The job never finishes in some ways.
Also department roles such as CSO tend to have limited scope
because the bigger projects tend to happen on a university-wide level,
so you sometimes feel a bit out of the action.
And I should mention dealing with viruses and security updates!
These matters waste a lot of time that could be spent doing
constructive things.
Geographic Information
Systems software
www.esri.com
UNESCO Angkor Wat project
http://portal.unesco.org/
culture
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:51 13/3/06 2:42:12 PM
52
What about worklife balance?
On the whole the worklife balance is excellent. On the other hand,
sometimes the responsibilities of the job mean that it does encroach
on my private time and you dont get reimbursed for it.
How is working at a university different to the corporate
world?
Our union has been able to negotiate very good working conditions
including annual leave loading, ability to accumulate leave, leave
without pay and rostered days off. So while the pay may not be
commensurate with that in the corporate sector, the conditions make
up for it, and the work is very interesting.
industry in terms of personal attributes, skills and aptitude?
You need to be outgoing, a good communicator and able to relate well
across the school; have a willingness to learn; be able to appreciate
the context for the technology. Also you need to be end-user-centric
be able to see things from the users viewpoint rather than becoming
over-absorbed in the technology.
That its okay not to know everything! When I first got here I was very
reluctant to admit that I didnt know something about a particular part
of the job. After a while I began to see that no-one knows everything
and its okay not to know things, provided you know where to find out.
Are formal qualifications essential for a CSO?
Qualifications are described as optional in my job but most university
CSOs tend to be qualified.
position apart from getting the qualifications?
At the university, academic staff sometimes move into IT through
their research and interests especially School of IT staff. Help desk
experience can also provide a route.
brief
University computer
systems ofcer
$$$ 50K70K
quals BSc (Hons)
(Computer) (USyd)
hrs/wk 40+
lifework work sometimes
intrudes
exibility conditions are
generous when I
have time to take
advantage of them!
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:52 13/3/06 2:42:12 PM
53
I nsi der i nf o
myweek
Deal with requests for help with
software
Job tracking and resolution
Follow-up on issues and handle
phone requests
Review security alerts issued by
AUSCERT
Purchasing requests hardware
and software
Software licence review
Security committee meeting
Help staff with computer issues
Upgrades to server software
Check and download latest virus
denitions
Get quotes on software and
server for student lab
Run orientation/training
workshops
Project meeting for remote and
off-site users
Play sport
Go to the pub with friends
Watch rugby and cricket when
theyre on TV
Relax by cooking and reading
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:53 13/3/06 2:42:12 PM
54
Raymond Allo Senior Oracle database
analyst
As a senior Oracle database analyst (DBA), Raymond works as a
consultant and troubleshooter for big programming and systems
jobs. He has worked with Oracle since it was rst released, and now
specialises in solving difcult problems.
His clients include government departments, like the Ofce of State
Revenue, large corporations such as Tomago, and telcos including
Optus, Telstra and Alcatel.
In his late 40s, Raymond has been in the IT business since the 1970s,
initially in Europe and now Australia. He has the Dutch equivalent of
a Bachelor of Science (Computer Science) degree, and then entered
a cadetship with the airline KLM. Here he worked as a junior system
analyst and programmer before working his way up through the ranks.
When Oracle came out he took to it straight away and has been
involved with it ever since.
q&a
What particular advice do you have for people wanting to get
into Oracle as a career path?
Well thats a big question. Recently I was working with a guy at a telco
who had put himself through Oracle certification. And I advised him
to leave which he was thinking about anyway and get broader
experience. This particular installation was only making use of a small
aspect of Oracle and so if he stayed in that position he would not get
a lot of broader experience. While certification is important, hands-on
experience in different areas is also really important.
Oracle has grown a lot. When I was first involved, it was just a
database management system. Now it is a whole lot of specialised
applications Oracle financials, Java, data warehousing, lots of things.
It is becoming very specialised and is too big now for anyone to be
across all of it.
So now it is important to get knowledge of some of the other aspects
of what you are working on say if its Oracle Financials, it is good
to have some background knowledge of the financial industry,
accountancy principles, and so on.
So you would recommend hybrid degrees that offer IT and
some other discipline like finance?
Definitely!
cv junior analyst >>
junior programmer >>
Oracle analyst programmer
>> senior Oracle database
analyst
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:54 13/3/06 2:42:13 PM
55
I nsi der i nf o
What do you wish someone had told you about the industry
before you started on this career path?
I didnt expect to have to do so much reading and research it takes a
lot of work to stay on top of it all. Actually, to begin with, it is important
to read the product documentation, the manuals. A lot of people dont
bother; then they ask me where I learned so much! I spend a lot of time
researching, keeping current and doing Google searches and so on.
I enjoy solving problems and troubleshooting. I like dealing with new
situations, learning new things, handling new challenges, and using
my analytical ability. A requirement of my role is the need to know
many facets of a situation Oracle skills for sure, but also networking,
applications, and general software development.
And least ...?
Dealing with difficult problems can be frustrating at times and
requires a lot of persistence and patience.
Do you work through agencies or direct for clients?
Both. I find quite a few jobs through my network but I also work for
some agencies from time to time.
Does this job allow you to achieve the worklife balance that
you wish for?
Oracle DBAs work too many hours! We tend to do a lot of after-hours
work sometimes you can only work on production systems outside
business hours. Problems can take hours to fix. You may have to run
tests that process overnight.
glossary
Production system means:
a live database with real
customer data in it.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
Oracle DBAs have
got it made
It can involve a lot
of routine work and
theres competitive
pressure, especially
from off-shoring which
can reduce your rate.
You have to commit to
continued learning.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:55 13/3/06 2:42:13 PM
56
What type of person do you think has the best chance of
getting to be an Oracle DBA?
I came up through the ranks in traditional programming data
modelling, system engineering, software development and system
admin. You learn a lot of the tricks and traps this way that you cant
get by over-specialising. So I think you have to have a lot of general
skills otherwise youre not across the whole system it is like a
mechanic who is looking at the engine, not the whole car, when the
problem is in the suspension or something!
So I believe that becoming a good DBA will take five to six years
including one to two years of general software development
experience, plus a lot of reading.
I think many employers have an unrealistic expectation of graduates,
that they can be a DBA when they finish training. Business knowledge
can be harder to get than the technical details which you can look up
in the manual!
Absolutely I would do it all again! I like the intellectual challenge
of problem solving. There are long hours but it is flexible no-one is
standing over me watching the clock. I get to choose which jobs to
take on and when.
I suppose to be really methodical. When youre younger you take a
lot more chances but in this work what you are doing is so mission
critical you cant afford to be slap-dash. For example, you may be
troubleshooting some big problem in a large financial organisations
real-time database, where everything you and the development team
do is simultaneously being documented. As you are working with
the functional spec documents and everything else, you have to be
completely methodical.
in your position?
Well, put it this way ... I got into an industry-sponsored scholarship
program organised by some big companies because they felt the
computer science graduates they were getting were not very real-
world tuned, so to say. So I got to put computer science principles
into action straight away. I started system analysis and learnt a lot of
important principles over four years of study at senior level.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:56 13/3/06 2:42:14 PM
57
I nsi der i nf o
Have your formal qualifications equipped you for the reality
of working life?
The formal qualifications have prepared me to an extent, but there is
a lot you have to pick up on the job. Communications skills are also
important.
position apart from getting formal qualifications?
Its very difficult! You have to commit to learning and train yourself in a
number of specialisations.
Computers in the
future may weigh
no more than 1.5 tons.
Popular Mechanics, 1949
The MacBook Pro (2006 release)
weighs in at 2.54kg!
brief
Senior Oracle DBA
quals BSc (Computer
Science) (The
Netherlands)
hrs/wk 6070
lifework fair, there can be
long hours and often
work needs to be
done after-hours.
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:57 13/3/06 2:42:14 PM
58
John Turnbull IT consultant
If youve got the right mix of skills, knowledge and attitude, IT
consulting can open doors into the higher levels of all kinds of
organisations, as well as providing independence, a good lifestyle,
and, if youre good, excellent rates of pay. It gives you a lot of freedom
and constant variety, among other things. And the unique thing about
consulting in IT is that you can get into business as a consultant while
still in your 20s; in any other sector a consultant is expected to have
grey hairs!
John, in his early 40s, is managing director of a consulting company
called Customer Connect Australia Pty Ltd, which he founded three
years ago. He has 18 years experience in IT. Customer Connect
designs and implements strategic business solutions, enabled by IT,
for a range of companies in the FMCG, pharmaceutical and technology
sector. Below, he details how he built his consulting business into a
protable professional services company.
q&a
What does your job entail?
As principal in a consulting company, I have to cover lots of bases. I
stay in touch with the clients and partners, design the methodologies
and solutions, give presentations to generate new clients, and work
on implementations on client sites. I am out on the road a lot. Until
recently I worked only from a home office, but we have just moved to
serviced offices in North Ryde.
What do you estimate the typical salary package for your job
to be?
Well my daily rate is $2300.
Thats a pretty handsome daily rate. How many chargeable
days a week would you consider satisfactory?
Currently this is running at about four to four-and-a-half days a week. I
dont have a lot of time off!
But then, we have a lot of very specialist skills and knowledge and,
more to the point, were able to come up with solutions to complex
requirements very quickly. Plus our experience is cumulative a lot
of what we develop can be re-used checklists, templates, processes
and so on. The people we work for know when we come in that we will
get through a lot of work very quickly.
cv engineering cadet
>> quality engineer >>
sales engineer >> project
manager >> business
consultant >> consulting
manager >> pre-sales
manager >> IT consultant
glossary
FMCG means:
fast moving
consumer goods.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:58 13/3/06 2:42:14 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
Also we deliver what we promise. This is really, really important for a
consultant. We make sure we understand the situation correctly, make
the right recommendations, and then go the extra mile, if necessary,
to ensure that the job is finished as promised. I cant stress highly
enough how important this attitude is in consulting work.
What do you like best about your occupation? People say that
being a consultant you can be your own boss.
I wouldnt put it that way. I regard the client as the boss! But, that
said, you still have lot of freedom to decide how to go about things.
And you do avoid a lot of the office politics that is found in many
organisations.
And least ...?
There are times when the client is not able to set up the project in
a way that we feel is right. For example, we advised a client not to
proceed recently because our implementation was being managed
through the IT department, and we didnt feel comfortable that the
department had a grasp of the business imperatives. So, basically, we
terminated our involvement in the implementation.
We did an implementation for a national distribution company. At
the time, their entire sales force was using a card-index system they
carried in their cars to take orders and file information about their
retailers. It was cumbersome and outdated and the flow of information
back to management was very haphazard.
The project involved upgrading the national sales force to a handheld
computer platform, training the reps in how to use it, and designing
the back-office implementation. It worked really well, and the reps
just loved it.
There have been a few teething problems with things like car kits, but
the reps say whatever happens, dont take the PDA away! It was a
rewarding experience; we did a lot of work with the reps to ensure that
the technology would make a difference to their day, and it paid off.
you wish for?
I still work from a home office a lot of the time, so it is good in that
respect. But you have to be disciplined, because, working from home,
you can spend so much time in your office that you see even less of
your family. But generally speaking, the worklife balance is good.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:59 13/3/06 2:42:15 PM
60
What does your working week look like? Do you work a
40-hour week?
Usually a bit more than 40! I generally start around 7.30 am with
email, reviewing the day ahead, planning phone calls. I might print out
some presentation materials or work on last-minute preparation in my
home office.
Then its in the car and on the phone, on the way to a client site. Im
out onsite around four days a week, but I find I need to spend at least
half a day a week on looking after the office admin, accounting,
forward planning.
We work either half days or full days at a client site, then its back
in the car, making calls again on the way home. Once I get home, I
normally do another round of calls or email, and finish up with a final
prep for the next day.
industry in terms of personal attributes, skills and aptitude?
You have to be self-disciplined, especially when youre starting out. It
would be very easy to take time out or not spend it efficiently. If youre
a consultant, your working behaviour needs to be an expression of
your professionalism even, or especially, when theres no-one looking
over your shoulder at what youre doing.
Is it what you set out to do?
I am very happy in this role but I found my way here over time. I knew
I wanted to run my own business one day, and I like getting things
done so project work is good. Working with clients to improve their
business is very rewarding, and IT allows you to do a lot more these
days than when I started with my first ERP (Enterprise Resource
Planning) implementation.
What are your formal qualifications?
I did a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) at the University
of Technology, Sydney (UTS), and then a Master of Business
Administration (MBA) at the University of New England (UNE).
Briefly outline the steps that got you to your current position.
I did Mechanical Engineering because I wanted to build things. I was
trained as a cadet with a large industrial concern and got a lot of
broad experience in many facets of their organisation including sales
experience, which is a very important part of a consultancy. I then took
on some project management roles starting with engineering projects,
then moving to IT projects.
brief
IT consultant
$$$ $2300 per day
quals BE Mechanical
(UTS), MBA (UNE)
hrs/wk 40+
lifework ne work from
home ofce and
have time for family
exibility my schedule is
quite exible but
requires attention
mainly during
business hours
in
f
a
c
t
MYTH
consultants can
transform your
company through IT
They have an important
role to play but are part
of a bigger picture.
Transforming business
means doing things
differently and this
means people and
processes, not just
technology.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:60 13/3/06 2:42:15 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
Theres a bit of a backlash against MBA studies. Would you
recommend it?
The MBA really gave me an in-depth understanding of corporate
structures what the different departmental roles are and how they
interact. People are sometimes critical of the MBA but I find the
understanding it gave me was indispensable in the work I do now.
myweek
Work with a client on education
materials for their analysts
Meet with a partner to discuss a
new opportunity
Review and approve specications
for a pharmaceutical clients CRM
implementation
Prepare presentation for a seminar
Admin emails, payroll run, invoicing
and accounts
Meet with a prospective client
Project planning with a client who
is evaluating CRM vendors
Put together a business change
specication for a clients CRM
implementation
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:61 13/3/06 2:42:15 PM
62
Victoria Morrison Instructional designer
Instructional design involves the analysis of learning needs and the
subsequent development of instructional materials.
Victoria is a contract instructional designer for private companies,
corporations, government departments and training providers. She
also has experience in technical writing and e-learning. She is in her
early 40s and has seven years experience in IT. She has spent the last
18 months in a full-time instructional design role.
q&a
I like using my creativity to develop training programs and
instructional aids. I really enjoy the writing and editing aspect of
my work as well as organising material so it is logical and easier
to understand. My work involves liaising with a variety of people
including my clients, subject-matter experts and learners equally,
and it involves spending much time at my computer, working
independently. I like this mix of working with people and working by
myself.
And least ...?
As a contractor, work can be inconsistent. The worst part is heading
towards a deadline (which usually means working longer hours)
and needing to be available for interviews for the next role. As an
instructional designer, I work on a project basis. My least favourite
part of the job is working on projects where the project management
is poor, something that is very difficult to predict before beginning a
contract.
to be?
About $60K to 100K with an average being $75 000. Hourly rates start
at $45 (although people will try and recruit for less!) and I have heard
of people earning up to $70 per hour.
Recently I redeveloped some e-learning courses created for a
company. My objective was to make the courses more interactive
and more instructionally sound. I did a lot of research into learning
theories and what the e-learning environment had to offer. I applied
what I had learned to the redevelopment of the courses and also
created a guide for the company to developing e-learning courses
based on instructional design principles.
cv sales consultant
>> recruitment consultant
>> health and tness
consultant >> tness centre
manager >> software
trainer >> learning and
development consultant >>
training and documentation
manager >> instructional
designer
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:62 13/3/06 2:42:16 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
Most people in organisations that is, your clients have no
understanding of what effective instructional design is! Be prepared to
make recommendations and then use your influence and negotiating
skills to gain acceptance. Also, be prepared for projects with small
training budgets and long wish lists! Finally, be prepared to act
consultatively.
you wish for?
When I tell people I work as a consultant/contractor, they often think
I have options to work my own hours and/or from home. The training
element of many organisational projects is one of the last things to be
implemented, however, so the instructional designer and trainer are
often contracted towards the end of the project. This means I usually
work towards tight deadlines and part-time is definitely not an option!
If anything, the hours tend to be longer, to ensure the deadline is met.
This is sometimes balanced by time off in between projects.
industry in terms of attributes, skills and aptitude?
An instructional designer will need interpersonal skills they have to
be able to communicate with people at all levels in the organisation.
They need to be assertive when required and to take onboard
feedback. They also need planning skills, and must be organised,
adaptable, and show good attention to detail.
In terms of their technical skills, they should have intermediate to
advanced Microsoft Office skills (specifically in Word and Outlook)
and good computer skills generally. Strong writing skills are essential
ideally, they should have formal instructional design qualifications
and a Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment and Training.
What should students know about your industry before
Anyone contemplating a career in instructional design will need to
keep an eye on technology. The more up-to-date you are about online
learning delivery options, the better. Remember that although there
is lot of fuss around e-learning, it will never fully replace classroom-
based training.
Most learning and development professionals and general
instructional designers do not have technical authoring and/or design
skills in multimedia products. However, most e-learning instructional
designers come from a multimedia design background. Consider
carefully where your strengths and interests lie!
f
a
c
t
MYTH
all company
training will be
online in the future
Online training is suitable
for some learning needs
not all. You will often
combine a number of
formats to deliver the
best training solution.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:63 13/3/06 2:42:16 PM
64
As a kid I just wanted to be a ballerina! I did not know what I wanted
to do when I left school. I completed a degree and moved through
several jobs in several industries for several years. During that
time, I recognised that I liked helping new staff learn jobs that I had
been taught. Naturally, I thought my teaching method was better! It
occurred to me that I enjoyed training others and I decided to formally
qualify in adult learning. The area of training and development is
always interesting to me because I can see that I never stop learning.
I learned not to try to guess what a client wants; to never begin
a project without clearly stated deliverables. A mistake I made in
the past was to develop material that already existed within the
organisation. Now, if my project manager does not have clearly stated
deliverables, I organise a meeting for all project stakeholders; the
purpose of the meeting is to reach agreement regarding what I have
been hired to produce.
What do you think is the single most important thing you can
do to advance your career?
Hold at least one job (it could be a casual job you had as a student)
where a major part of the role involves delivering excellent customer
service. Throughout your career, you will have customers be they
internal or external so you need to consciously develop these skills.
You will be asked at job interviews to talk about your customer service
skills, even if the job you are interviewing for is not specifically a
customer service role. Customer service skills include interpersonal
skills, assertiveness skills, listening skills, skills in managing
expectations and even coaching skills.
What are your formal qualifications and which educational
institution awarded them?
I have a Bachelor of Health Administration from the University of New
South Wales (UNSW) and a graduate certificate in Organisational
Development and Training from Southern Cross University.
in your position?
Theres a wide range of educational levels in instructional design
and training. The minimum qualification is usually a Certificate IV in
Workplace Assessment and Training. Many people in my field hold
Masters degrees in Adult Education, Organisational Development,
Organisational Communication or similar.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:64 13/3/06 2:42:16 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
Which subjects or aspects of your study did you enjoy or not
enjoy? Have your formal qualifications equipped you for the
reality of working life?
My postgraduate course was very relevant to the work I do. There
are several other options now available to me for further study.
My undergraduate degree simply taught me I wasnt interested in
managing hospitals!
Are there any particular recruitment processes, practices
or systems for this industry that candidates should know
about?
At interviews for instructional design roles, a portfolio of work may be
helpful. Beware of copyright and confidentiality issues though.
What are your tips for preparing an outstanding job
application?
Read the job advertisement well and write a cover letter that shows
how you meet the essential criteria. Use a brief bulleted list. This
takes time but it makes it easy for the person reading your application
to see how your experience and skills relate to the role.
myweek
Teach early morning tness
class
Work on a help desk reference
manual for a banking client
Organise meetings
Meet with the help desk
Trainer to review progress
Continue writing and
reorganising material
Go for a run
More writing
Meet with the system
project manager
Go to dance class
Start writing new topics
Editing and formatting the document
Teach tness class
Go to movies with my partner and
some friends
Writing, meetings
Reviews and editing
Send basic version of manual to
help desk trainer and system
project manager for review
Go to dance class
Housework, shopping and socialising
Teach tness class
Go out to dinner, maybe a club
brief
Instructional designer
$$$ Up to $55 per
hour, or a salary of
$70K is achievable
for these roles
quals Bachelor of Health
Admin (UNSW),
Grad Cert in Org
Dev and Training
hrs/wk 40
lifework fair hectic
when deadlines
are looming
exibility good, current
role is limited to
ofce hours.
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:65 13/3/06 2:42:17 PM
66
Ben OHara Conguration specialist
Ben OHara is conguration specialist at a private company,
Whitesmiths Pty Ltd, which supplies software to telecommunications
companies in Australia and overseas.
His job is to congure a variety of computer systems and networks in
accordance with the requirements of the projects that Whitesmiths
are implementing for clients. The role requires in-depth knowledge of
networking, operating systems and conguration across a variety of
platforms including Unix, Windows and OSX.
Ben is in his mid-30s, and has been in his current position for six
months. He launched a career in IT seven years ago, with a desktop
support position.
q&a
What do you estimate the typical salary package for your
kind of job to be?
There is a big range for these kinds of jobs. Around $50 000 to
$60 000 is average but I have heard of salaries up to $90 000,
depending on the kind of company and what youre required to do.
It is very varied; there isnt too much routine. I have to work across
Windows, Perl, Apple WebObjects and varieties of Unix maybe all on
the same day.
And least ...?
The documentation. I have to generate the documents that describe the
configurations; it is very time-consuming and not what I enjoy doing.
What about worklife balance?
I occasionally do extra hours and some weekend work, but I dont
mind it, and my partner also does the same. Its much better than the
job I had in a website hosting company, which really was 24/7 you
could get calls at three oclock in the morning.
industry in terms of their attributes, skills and aptitude?
You need flexibility, versatility and wide horizons this kind of job
wont suit someone who is over-specialised or unwilling to take on
new things.
On the whole, yes, it works well.
cv desktop support >>
system administrator >>
networking manager >>
Unix conguration manager
>> conguration specialist
f
a
c
t
MYTH
you can afford
to specialise
Youre often required to
work across systems and
are expected to know
about a lot of systems.
You cant just be a Cisco
specialist any more.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:66 13/3/06 2:42:17 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
If you dont like your job, leave it dont just stick it out. Ive made the
mistake of sticking with a job for the sake of it.
I did a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science at Macquarie University. I
intended to become a teacher but got into IT instead.
in your position?
I have Microsoft Certified Professional and Cisco Certified Network
Associate qualifications and the knowledge is useful but the hands-on
experience is really indispensable.
Are there any ways of getting into the industry or your position
apart from getting the qualifications mentioned above?
I have known a number of TAFE-qualified people. I have also met
a number of self-taught individuals. For example, there is a senior
security consultant to the banking sector who does not have a lot of
formal qualifications but is very good at his job.
brief
Systems conguration specialist
$$$ around 60K
quals BA (Computer
Science)
(Macquarie),
MCP, CCNA
hrs/wk 40 on a good week,
sometimes more
lifework occasional
weekends and
extra hours
exibility pretty well 9 to 5
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:67 13/3/06 2:42:17 PM
68
Darren Gray Director of professional
services
Darren Gray is in his mid-30s and has been working in IT for 13 years.
Hes now Director of professional services (Asia Pacic) at Webraska,
an international company that supplies GPS navigation- and location-
based services for wireless carriers and service providers.
For example, the Webraska engine powers the popular Whereis.com
web service, which allows you to look up maps and calculate travel
routes for addresses all over Australia.
Webraskas products are at the leading edge of software development.
As Darren explains, this has both upsides constant innovation and
green elds opportunities and downsides dealing with technical
issues that no-one else has ever faced, and being a long way out
ahead of the market. Darren himself is responsible for professional
services for the entire AsiaPacic region.
Dull, it aint.
q&a
What does your role entail?
It covers a lot of things. Basically, Im responsible for seeing that
projects and solutions are delivered on schedule and maintained
according to plan. I have input into product marketing and also do
some business development. I oversee a number of other contractors
and project managers the number varies according to whats on. I am
frequently involved in architecting technical solutions or vetting the
solutions of others in particular when it comes time to integrate our
technologies with those of a customer.
How long have you been in your current position?
Four years. Over this time I have been based in Germany and Italy as
well as Australia.
What do you estimate the typical salary package for such a
job to be?
In the range of $160 000 to $200 000 per annum.
What do you like best about your role?
Its leading-edge technology. Webraska is a very innovative company
in a new field. There are always new prospects, and new possibilities.
Its an exciting company to work for. I also like working for a company
that makes a difference in the community our partnership with
Intelematics, for example.
cv project leader
telecoms >> technical
specialist >> telecoms
project manager >>
director of professional
services
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:68 13/3/06 2:42:18 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
And what do you like least about the area?
It is sometimes difficult to be thorough and as diligent as you would
like, due to deadlines and general commercial pressure.
Working with Intelematics has been interesting. This is a company
formed by the RACV and NRMA to develop advanced telematic services
vehicular safety and security systems, in-car information systems,
and the like. Together we developed a Telematics Services Hub, which
includes tracking, a guidance call centre, and intelligent processing
engines. For example, a car will send an alert if its airbag is triggered, if
it has been stolen, or assist the driver if the keys are locked in the car,
and so on. We can track the car and can dispatch emergency services.
In a leading-edge company, you have to learn almost everything on
the job. There is very little pre-existing literature or training courses
for these technologies because it is all new.
you wish for?
I work from my home a lot, which offers flexibility but also allows work
to intrude at times. Also, I am theoretically always on call, although
fortunately our technology and architectures are robust and my
involvement is very infrequent.
industry in terms of their attributes, skills and aptitude?
You need to be prepared to take initiative and come up with ways of
getting things done that may not have been thought of before. You
cannot be a pure manager or project manager you must really
understand the technology and the market.
You also need to be very thorough, to ensure that things are done
completely and properly right through to the end.
It has in some ways, but the industry itself has been a disappointment
in other respects. The company has been through some difficult times.
It was ahead of the market and learned from tooling up too much too
soon. Fortunately this allowed us to broaden our portfolio and then
concentrate on what the market really required.
Before choosing this job I considered the future and worked back. If
you think of five to ten years from now, location-based services will be
everywhere not just as a useful tool or for entertainment, but also
for safety. Someone has to get it there. Webraska was the company to
get it there. My expectations have not changed.
The RACV (Royal
Automobile Club of Victoria)
is the motoring services
organisation in Victoria
The NRMA provides
roadside motoring service in
New South Wales.
fyi
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:69 13/3/06 2:42:18 PM
70
What do you think is the most important career quality you
can have?
Integrity. Your reputation depends on getting the job done and
providing a working solution. And customer focus seeing the
situation from the customers view, not from the viewpoint of the
company or the technologist.
It is also important to understand the complete solution not just
focus on one aspect. For example, it is important to understand how
the technology, the market, the commercial realities, and the project
all mesh together.
Are formal qualifications necessary for your position?
You definitely need the discipline that comes from degree studies in
the field. Also, I am glad I did Engineering, as distinct from Computer
Science, in particular for its emphasis on general and specific problem
solving in the real world.
Which subjects in your degree course did you feel were
most useful?
Telecommunications, Project Management, Economics and
Programming. Again, because it was in Engineering, there was an
emphasis on chip-level programming which provides some really
useful and transferable skills.
myweek
Sydney home ofce
Review contract terms for
forthcoming project
Manage projects and project
managers (recurring)
Sydney
Architect or review solutions for
projects
Phone conference with project
management teams
Onsite visits
Melbourne
Meet for update at Webraska head
ofce
Onsite visits
Formal meetings to discuss technologies
and pre-sales technical solutions
Company strategy and product
meetings
Catch return ight to Sydney
Up early for teleconference with
overseas contacts to prepare
work packages
Review technology updates from
Webraska ofces overseas
Spend time with family
See live bands and movies
Go to church
Relax at home, walk, and swim
brief
Director of professional services
$$$ 160K
quals BE Computer
(Newcastle Uni)
hrs/wk variable
sometimes
regular ofce hours,
sometimes more, a
lot of overseas travel
lifework lots of travel
interstate and
some overseas
exibility I set my own
schedule and
work from home
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:70 13/3/06 2:42:18 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
Daniel Cheney Web programmer
Daniel is a back-end programmer his speciality lies in the database
and programming code that delivers the data to the webpages
designed by the graphics team. A Microsoft .NET specialist, Daniel
also worked on a groundbreaking AFL site, which was among the rst
to provide real-time score updates and live team info way back in the
mid-1990s.
Now in his mid-late 20s, Daniel has been in IT for almost 10 years. For
the past four years, he has worked as a programmer for Gravity Max,
a web company working on the cutting edge of Internet technology.
For example, Gravity Max built an amazingly efcient online rental
catalogue site (try it and youll see!) for Kennards Hire.
q&a
What do you do in your job?
Im a lead software developer for Gravity Max, and I mostly work on
server-side software in Microsoft.NET, ASP, SQL and related tools.
to be?
Its a wide range, depending on the kind of organisation and the kind
of work youre doing. In this environment, $65 000 up to $75 000 is
normal, but I have heard of people getting nearly $100 000 in some
jobs.
I like working on real products, and the challenge of writing good,
re-usable code. I like problem solving and coming up with solutions to
challenges.
Re-usable code?
Thats code that can be put to another purpose in a program other
than the one that it was written for. This is an important ability for
a programming company as it means a better return on investment.
Gravity Max is pretty good at that.
What do you like least about it?
Stress levels can be high if youre working on a number of projects
and therere deadlines to be hit. Technical issues can be stressful
diagnosing and fixing bugs, those kinds of things.
cv network admin/
developer >> outsourcing
>> software developer >>
web programmer
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:71 13/3/06 2:42:19 PM
72
Whats an example of a particularly interesting job or project
you worked on?
One that comes to mind was the official AFL website that I worked
on at News Ltd before I started here. Some of the features were
groundbreaking when they were introduced, like user-registration
databases and results tables, among other things. And it was, and is,
a really popular site one of the most-visited sites in Australia.
The long hours! I enjoy my work but it takes a lot of concentration over
long periods. Dont be a web programmer if you want an easy job!
Does this mean you find work eating into your home life?
Well you do the occasional long shift, particularly if theres a big job
on, but mainly Im talking about the energy level and job commitment
you need. Im not too concerned about the worklife balance aspects
at this stage in my life.
You have to have the attitude to take ownership of problems, rather
than leaving them to someone else to solve.
You have to work to a high standard, and do things the best way,
which is often not the easiest way. You have to be thorough and you
have to be knowledgeable about the issues.
What should students know about your industry before
Its very competitive to get into web development, especially after the
dotcom crash. You have to be constantly up-to-date, keep abreast of
whats going on and stay current.
Is working in IT matching your expectations? Is this the
career you set out to do?
I wasnt certain what I wanted to get into while I was at school. I was
actually interested in biology but I got good marks in IT at HSC level.
What is something you have had to learn the hard way?
Planning my time, scheduling and learning how to deliver what
I promised. Its very easy when you start out to make too many
promises and over-commit, and find that you cant deliver.
Well its a combination of experience and degree studies. To get more
experience a portfolio helps if you can put together a portfolio of
what you have worked on it makes it easier for people to assess you.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
all programmers are
antisocial nerds
The people I work
with are actually
pretty normal!
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:72 13/3/06 2:42:19 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
I did a diploma in IT at TAFE and then several years part-time of the
Computer Science degree at Macquarie University. I didnt graduate
at Macquarie and found the TAFE experience more useful in terms
of hands-on experience. It was a friendlier environment with people
more willing to help, and there was a lot of emphasis on problem
solving, which has been useful. The university approach was a bit
theoretical I felt.
in your position?
Id say that they are important, even if they are just TAFE-level. As I
said, its a competitive market.
Are there any particular recruitment processes, practices
or systems for this industry that candidates should know
about?
Ive found work through both industry contacts and online job
searches.
What are your tips for preparing an outstanding job
application?
First, have a portfolio! Second, address the requirements of the job.
Its easy to make the mistake of just talking about what you have done
and what youre good at, when the interviewer is trying to match you
up to a list of requirements.
But what ...
is it good for?
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems
Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
brief
Web programmer
$$$ around 65K
quals IT diploma (TAFE)
hrs/wk 40+
lifework long hours and
not much time
for socialising
exibility limited, work
demands occupy
a lot of time
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:73 13/3/06 2:42:20 PM
74
Aaron Stacey Senior project manager
Aaron has worked in his job at Fujitsu Australia for one year. At 34,
Aaron has been in the industry for eight years, managing projects of
growing complexity. He likes being the person ultimately responsible
for the implementation of a project, as well as managing his team.
q&a
How long have you worked in the IT industry? What was your
job before this one?
Eight years. Previously I worked at a company called EDS as a project
manager. Both jobs entail working on projects of varying size and
complexity.
What does your current job entail?
I manage various projects up to 10 simultaneously ranging
from network upgrades (installing new WAN and LAN technology
hardware) to installing and implementing new Microsoft development
environments involving multiple servers covering development, test
and production functions.
What is the salary package for your job?
$75 000 to $150 000 Project management roles vary depending
mostly on experience, level of responsibility and how critical the
project is to the business. I am currently earning about $130 000+.
Can you tell us about your working environment? How many
people do you work with and how do roles intersect?
My job is very team-oriented. The varying size of the projects usually
determines the size of the project team. While sometimes just one
technical resource person can work on a project, teams can involve up
to 50 individuals, such as technical resources, technical specialists
(LAN, WAN, programmers, architects), auditors and administrators.
Onsite with the client, a typical team I work with is comprised of other
project managers, program managers, a service delivery manager
(first point of contact for clients), account managers (higher level
client liaison) and project team technical resources. Depending on
the type of project we are working on, other technical resources
and specialists located at Fujitsu sites may be involved. We all work
together to ensure we deliver the projects that have been agreed on
with the client.
Currently, onsite I have two technical resources to assist with projects.
I report in to both the program manager and service delivery manager.
Depending on the projects I could have 10+ technical resources and
specialists working on simultaneous projects that are based offsite.
cv electronic warfare
operator, Navy >> barman
>> duty manager >>
trainee project manager >>
project manager >> senior
project manager
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:74 13/3/06 2:42:20 PM
75
I nsi der i nf o
What do you like most about your job?
The responsibility of being the person ultimately accountable for
the delivery of a project. I enjoy the challenges that are associated
with this responsibility and working with different, cutting edge and
changing technologies.
The responsibility of being the person ultimately accountable for the
delivery of a project! Sometimes long hours are required to ensure the
project is delivered. The various challenges associated with managing
various technical resources who can be working on simultaneous
projects can be demanding. This job entails a bit of juggling and
people-influencing skills. It can also get a bit uncomfortable wearing a
suit or at least shirt and tie in summer!
What is an interesting project you have been involved in?
An asset management project that involved auditing a clients assets
mainly hardware across eight countries. I had to liaise with different
teams in countries involved. I had to put a project team together that
had members from each country, define and gain agreement from the
client on the scope of the project, and complete the project working in
various time zones and with different nationalities.
What project are you working on right now?
A large upgrade of my clients critical business applications.
What aspects of the IT industry interest you in particular, and
where do you see the growth opportunities?
I am interested in networking, both LAN and WAN. This area also
offers growth opportunities because of the technology currently
evolving that will enable information to move faster and more
efficiently. An example that I have come in contact with recently is
Riverbed Steelhead, a WAN acceleration appliance.
What qualifications do you have? Do you feel they are
necessary for your job?
I entered the industry without university qualifications and gained
experienced on the job. It would have assisted me if I had completed
some prior IT qualification or course. During my time within the IT
industry I have completed a number of related courses. I am also in
the process of completing the Project Management Institute (PMI)
course is one of the best qualifications which for project managment
is recognised around the world.
What do wish someone had told you about the industry
I wish that I had acquired more technical IT knowledge before I
entered the industry.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
IT is full of propeller
heads and there
is no-one with a
sense of humour
While there are many
very technical-minded
individuals, the vast
majority of people
are fun and social.
Read more about courses
offered by the Project
Management Institute at
www.pmi.org
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:75 13/3/06 2:42:20 PM
76
Does your job allow you to achieve the worklife balance that
suits you?
Some companies are more flexible than others with working
arrangements including things like working from home. Currently I am
contracting which doesnt allow me the normal benefits or flexibility
associated with permanent employment.
How many hours per week do you work?
Between 40 and 60 hours, depending on project requirements and
client expectations.
What are your ambitions? Where to from here?
I plan to move up to program manager the position I report to now. I
would also like to work on larger projects. A long-term goal would be
to become a manager of a project services group.
Are there any other pointers that you think would benefit
young people considering this career path?
I believe that the remuneration is well worth the effort and patience
involved in my profession.
myweek
Check emails and technical resources
timesheets for billing purposes
Complete project status reports
Plan projects
Evening: Play touch football
Check emails
Attend meetings
Follow up technical resources and
conrm current work status
Evening: 7pm Play oz tag
Check emails
Attend project team workshops
Attend meetings
Speak to technical resources
Check emails
Plan projects
Attend meetings
Plan projects
Evening: Run or go to the gym
Check emails, plan projects
Follow up technical resources and
conrm current work status
Plan projects
Timesheet
Do housework
Shop
Go out for dinner
Play sport
brief
Senior project manager
$$$ 130K+
quals on the job training
hrs/wk 4060
lifework work I am still able to
actively participate in
team sports a couple
of times a week
after work hours
exibility I am contracting
which doesnt
allow me the
normal benets or
exibility associated
with permanent
employment
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:76 13/3/06 2:42:21 PM
77
I nsi der i nf o
Barry Thompson IT security consultant
Barry is a specialist IT security consultant for one of the big four
banks (he cant say which due to contractual obligations), and has
been for the past ve years. A long-term nance sector contractor and
consultant, Barry has almost 20 years experience in the IT industry.
His work history includes working for the Pipeline Authority in South
Australia, as a programmer in the nancial sector and for a university.
He enjoys the challenges of his work so much you could almost call
his occupation a hobby! Well, perhaps not quite.
Barry, whos in his 40s, works on some of the most cutting-edge
systems in the nance sector. He and the others in the team examine
banking systems end-to-end, guring out how they could be
compromised or, you guessed it, hacked.
q&a
What do you do and how do you do it?
I contract through IBM to one of the major banks, working in a
specialised consultancy. Im one of a team of twenty people examining
security from end-to-end for all kinds of banking systems web-
based, consumer, but also in-house and client-server systems of
various kinds. Our job is to figure out how the system could be hacked
or compromised, either by an external hacker or by a staff member
whatever.
What do IT security consultants get paid?
Id say a minimum hourly rate of $65 up to $120 an hour for a very
experienced operator. Daily rates could be $650 up to $1500.
The mental challenge. Its really like detective work, using your intuition
and all your experience to see where the holes are in a system. And
theyre complex systems youre dealing with, which may incorporate
information and data-flows from different areas in the bank.
And least ...?
Losing the battle with the client when they wont follow through
because of money concerns and you have to finish up testing before
youve really gone through everything.
Whats a particularly interesting project youve worked on?
The bank introduced a portal offering a whole range of web-based
services to customers. We replicated the whole infrastructure in a test
lab the whole environment with firewalls, switches, web servers, the
works. Very fascinating project, pulling all that together.
cv pipeline controller
>> programmer >> IT
writer and columnist >>
programmer >> media
manager >> IT security
consultant
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:77 13/3/06 2:42:21 PM
78
How did you get into the IT business?
I left school and started a trades apprenticeship but realised I
wanted to do something more mentally challenging so I changed to
Mechanical Engineering at TAFE. That was going fine and then towards
the end of that course we did a module on Introduction to Computing
back on an old Tandy micro-system. I thought, whoa, whats this ...
I was just amazed by it. So I got into programming Fortran, Pascal,
Assembler and various projects.
I was working for an infrastructure group in South Australia at the
time but I basically decided I wanted to get into the IT business. This
was the late 1970s. So I went to Sydney and sent my rsum to a few
agencies and got offered a job at Macquarie Bank, and ended up there
for four-and-a-half years.
you wish for?
I sometimes work fairly long hours worked for 16 hours the other
day but then billed them for two days work. I dont mind the hours, I
get the occasional call on the weekend but mostly they are free. I am
studying for my Certified Information Systems Security Professional
(CISSP) certification at the moment, which takes a bit of time.
You have to be passionate about what you do and genuinely
interested in the work. But I am a firm believer that you also have to
have a life outside work, otherwise it affects your ability to relate. I
suppose the other quality is not being formulaic and being able to use
intuition to solve problems.
What should students know about your specialty before
Security consulting is difficult in that it is a very specialised area
that requires very broad knowledge so it requires both specialised
and general skills. But I would say that you would have to come up
through the programming and software development processes. You
really need to understand software engineering and networking on a
deep level. Being good at using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) is not
going to cut it, Im afraid.
When I joined Macquarie Banking I had no idea what wholesale
banking was about. Then they showed me the trading floor, and I
thought, wow, whats this!? And its been really interesting, ever since.
So I didnt know what to expect, but Ive really enjoyed the way it has
turned out.
Dealing with office politics!
f
a
c
t
MYTH
the world is full of
clever computer
hackers
There are some clever
hackers, but not many.
A lot of the damage
is done by kids who
download hacking tools
and play with them.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:78 13/3/06 2:42:21 PM
79
I nsi der i nf o
Well in the end I didnt graduate my TAFE course ended while I was
still trying to find the units I needed to study to complete it but then
I got into Macquarie Bank and Ive continued to learn everything I
needed from the workplace. Although I am in the process of getting
the CISSP qualification, its been the University of Life, I guess!
Broaden your picture. Read as much as you can. Get interested in
topics and follow them up.
in your position?
Well from what I have said you can make that judgment although
I was very fortunate to have found the original opportunity and
Macquarie, and the IT world was a lot younger then. I would say that
qualifications and degree studies are important.
Have your formal studies equipped you for the reality of
working life?
I found mechanical engineering really useful for general training on
how to do things. Programming and networking were indispensable
for what I went on to do. As I said, my experiences in TAFE with
learning programming were fundamental.
About the CISSP qualication
www.isc2.org
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:79 13/3/06 2:42:22 PM
80
Have industry networking and personal contacts helped you
to get to your current position?
Of course. There have been times that I have sent my rsum to
agencies and found a position like the Macquarie Bank example
but on many other occasions it has been through word-of-mouth and
personal contacts.
myweek
Working on three or four
projects at various stages of
development
Juggling priorities and working
out schedules
Finalise specications for a web
portal test
Keep working on test plan
Finish report on last weeks tests
Conference call with Melbourne
ofce
Whiteboard session to divide up
the testing
Chase up security patches and
alerts for trial
Complete tests from
previous weeks
Do presentation and make
recommendations to
project manager
Spend time with my family
and friends
brief
IT security consultant
$$$ $1000 per day
contract rate
quals Fitter/Machinist,
Mech. Eng.
Certicate
(TAFE); CISSP
hrs/wk 4050
lifework long hours: try to
have good social life
exibility work hours that
project requires
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:80 13/3/06 2:42:22 PM
81
I nsi der i nf o
Indrik Kalnins SAP basis manager
Indrik Kalnins is a SAP specialist with a background in electronic
and systems engineering and 20 years experience in IT. Originally
from Adelaide, he has been living in Sydney for the last ve years or
so, where he is a SAP Basis Manager with Dairy Farmers. Hes held
this position for 18 months. Here he talks about his day-to-day role
coordinating systems and information from a national network in a
busy FMCG environment.
q&a
What does your role entail?
Maintaining the companys SAP systems, installing upgrades and
enhancements, installing new systems whenever required, and
monitoring all of the systems on a daily basis.
to be?
SAP consultants and managers can get from $80 000 at the less-
experienced end of the scale and up to $120 000 for experienced
operators.
What do you like best about SAP management?
Dealing with the complexity and variety of work, particularly
implementations and rollouts. Its a great feeling to get everything
humming.
Anything you dont like about it?
The routine side of the operation code changes, routine testing, that
kind of thing. Its a bit ho-hum, but overall theres enough going on to
keep it interesting.
Weve recently installed SAP Solution Manager, which collects data
from many satellite systems and stores it in a unified format. This
is a technical management system for overview and monitoring of a
big range of data sources. Its a very advanced business intelligence
system and a great piece of software engineering, a real pleasure
to work with and it provides a lot of really great management
capabilities.
How about worklife balance in your role?
There is some weekend work but time off is given in lieu. Im very
much in charge of my own schedule in this role; if I have to work
after-hours, its because it is better to do that task then, not because
someone else tells me what I should be doing.
cv software/hardware
designer >> remote
control systems, gas
elds >> designing and
implementing SCADA
remote control telemetry
>> data communications
network design >> system
engineer >> consulting >>
SAP consultant >> SAP
basis manager
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:81 13/3/06 2:42:23 PM
82
What type of person do you think is best suited to SAP
consultancy?
Someone with good analytical and diagnostic skills. Someone who
can keep cool and be methodical and disciplined in their approach to
systems.
People say it is very hard to get into the SAP world. How does
a student go about it?
Well I would say, look for an entry-level position and get skills on
the job, then take on more responsibilities. In terms of background
knowledge and the kinds of skills you need to get into SAP, I would
say a solid grounding in RDBMS, networking and communications
engineering, and a thorough understanding of software development,
software development life cycle, code libraries, and the like.
If youre managing a big installation, be very careful about changes
in products and systems! There are things you can do that have big
consequences in these kinds of systems, and despite roll-back and
backup systems, you have to be very methodical and scientific in your
approach.
Bachelor of Electrical Engineering at the University of South Australia.
Since then I have done quite a bit of industry training, including Novell
a while back, and about six SAP courses over a year or so.
How was the SAP training?
SAP education courses are good quality, they have been delivering
training for a long time and they know how to do it. Theres lots of
hands-on training and a strong emphasis on sound methodology.
in your position?
Well theyre a practical necessity. I suppose you might work your way
in through experience, but it is a competitive field.
I should point out that I was recruited into SAP by a senior manager
who could see my potential for it, but it took some persuading at first
three interviews, actually! But Im glad I listened to him.
brief
SAP specialist
$$$ around $115K
quals BE (Electrical) (SA)
hrs/wk 4045
lifework not too bad, hours
are generally
predictable, I set
my own pace
exibility good work
from home ofce
frequently
in
f
a
c
t
MYTH
SAP is a road
to riches
SAP is a solid,
interesting career
path that is relatively
well paid.
glossary
RDBMS means:
Relational database
management systems.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:82 13/3/06 2:42:23 PM
83
I nsi der i nf o
myweek
Work from home to monitor a
system change in the evening
Run after-hours processes
Operations handover
Brief IBM on whats coming up
Send updated procedures to IBM
Review backup schedule
Fix memory allocation problem
Modify security to enable addition
of new company codes and prot
centres
Send performance data to third-
party software provider in the US
for ne-tuning of replication code
Research archiving bugs
Staff mentoring session
Systems security brieng
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:83 13/3/06 2:42:23 PM
84
Stephanie, Analyst programmer
Five years ago, Stephanie went from university into the graduate
recruitment program at Macquarie Bank and now works for the bank
as an analyst programmer.
q&a
What does your job involve?
I work within the Project Delivery team so predominantly I work
on projects which enhance or maintain existing workflow systems,
B2B and integration processes. I am involved in all stages of the
development lifecycle from analysis to implementation and interact with
everyone from end users, business analysts to database administrators.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a Bachelor of Information Technology specialising in Software
Engineering from Australian National University (ANU), Canberra.
How did you find out about the graduate program and what
did you have to do to be recruited through the program?
Macquarie gave a presentation at the ANU for potential graduates. I
then filled in the application form and had an initial interview with the
human resources division.
After this, I came to Sydney for two interviews with different
Macquarie divisions that were recruiting graduates. One of these
divisions requested a follow-up phone interview and I was offered a
graduate position with them.
What are the benefits of the graduate program?
The main benefit was starting with and meeting the other graduates
through induction. As we work for all areas of the bank, I now have
contacts in those areas.
We also completed a series of training courses together such as
servicing a challenging client base and email communication which
provided us with a grounding for future training specific to our
individual roles.
What do you think made you stand out from the rest of the
graduates?
Studies and academic achievements combined with extracurricular
activities.
I had a summer student position at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
I also had a part-time job throughout university and I volunteered for
the Olympics as an IT volunteer working with IBM staff. This showed
that I was socially active and able to juggle commitments successfully.
cv casual checkout
operator >> cosmetics
consultant >> graduate
recruit >> analyst
programmer
glossary
B2B means:
an abbreviation of Business
to Business, referring to
the exchange of products,
services or information
between businesses.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:84 13/3/06 2:42:24 PM
85
I nsi der i nf o
What about the salary range for this position?
$65 000 to $76 000 after five years. Macquarie Bank also has a profit-
share system for bonuses, which is performance-based.
The team environment we work in ensures that there is always
someone to learn from, bounce ideas around with and have a laugh
with. There is a diverse mix of people with different levels of expertise
and experience.
Being woken up by a pager at 3.00 am when I am the on-call support
person.
We have transaction processing running every night and if something
goes wrong I need to wake up to fix it.
What interesting projects have you been involved in? Can you
tell us why it was interesting and what you did?
We created a process that allowed third-party systems to electronically
submit loan applications. This meant no data entry was required by our
staff and we could automate a lot of the business rules.
It was interesting as it was the first time we had connected B2B and
the benefits achieved were staggering we managed to take a one to
two day process down to four to five minutes.
I was involved with the design of the XML file we receive, building
validation rules and workflow process changes.
What aspects of IT interest you in particular, and where do
you see the growth opportunities?
As long as the general economy is strong and companies have money
to spend, I believe all areas of IT will grow.
For us, I believe we will spend a lot of time automating manual tasks and
increasing the number of B2B connections. This will allow us to interact
with our partners more effectively and produce efficient processes.
I am interested in the growth of XML and its uses. This includes
the ways in which it is implemented, the number of standards (and
development of those standards) that use it as a base and the
efficiency that can be gained from it.
What do you wish someone had told you about IT before you
started on this career path?
Most people you will meet outside of work dont really know what a
career in IT involves. If you said you work as an accountant, there is
some grasp of what you do day-to-day, however when you say you are
in IT, you just get blank looks.
Also, beware of being on-call. Nothing makes you wake up quicker
than a beeper going off at 3.00 am.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:85 13/3/06 2:42:24 PM
86
How does your job allow you to achieve the worklife balance
that suits you?
We have a flexible work environment which allows me to fit in gym
and appointments around work. You do have to be disciplined though.
There is a never-ending list of outstanding work so you need to ensure
you keep your life balanced.
How flexible are your work arrangements?
Staff retention in my area is very good. We have a number of staff who
have been here longer than five years and even a couple longer than
15 years! I think this is due to the flexible work hours (we have quite a
few part-time staff as well), the team atmosphere and the willingness
to help each other.
Average between 40 and 45 hours.
What are your ambitions?
I want to continue to be challenged by my work and continue to
develop applications.
Most developers eventually progress to become a project manager
or an IT architect. I would prefer to continue to improve my skills as a
developer and stay in that role.
myweek
Produce design documents
for small to medium
development tasks
Develop unit testing code
Integrate testing across
applications
Develop automatic unit tests
Review colleague work (code
and documents)
Liaise with the business users
to determine requirements for
small to medium changes
Produce overall design solutions for
projects
Exercise swimming and pilates
Review user acceptance tests
Update test plans
On-call roster 2 hours system
support outside business hours
(every 6 weeks)
Skiing in winter, dinner out with
friends, ice-cream and movies,
every three months project
implementations on the weekend
brief
Analyst programmer
$$$ 65K76K
quals Bachelor IT (Software
engineering), ANU
hrs/wk 4045
lifework excellent
exibility good on occasion
the pressure is
on and work is
my only priority
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:86 13/3/06 2:42:24 PM
87
I nsi der i nf o
Keith Pereira Systems engineering
manager
Keith works for Cisco Systems, a company that provides products,
services and solutions that help businesses to get the best benet out
of their technology systems.
q&a
What does your job involve?
I manage the sales engineering staff to ensure we meet sales and
team performance targets. I work with the telecommunications service
provider sales team, comprising eight sales people, three sales
managers and 12 engineers. I report to one of the sales managers and
the engineers report to me.
What qualifications do you have?
No tertiary qualifications, deferred university many years ago.
What is an average salary package for this type of work?
Managers can earn between $100K and $150K.
Ability to influence and help the careers of my team, while
participating in the sales process.
Confusing, conflicting processes supposedly aimed at streamlining
the job.
Could you describe an interesting project youve worked on or
have been involved in recently?
We interviewed 15 potential system engineers (SEs) for an internship.
We picked the candidates by telephone from 75 initial candidates, and
selected the 15 by their ability to sell themselves on the phone. Then
we put each one through a one-day session of face-to-face interviews,
role-plays and presentation abilities, to assess their present skills and
ability to work quickly under pressure. We awarded four internships
from the 15 candidates, but I believe all 15 will do well regardless due
to their personalities and drive.
This was an interesting process because we found a strong correlation
between interview skills, role-play and presentation skills; people
who are naturally comfortable confident in themselves tend to
naturally sell themselves and thus enhance their attractiveness
(aptitude) for jobs, no matter what the situation.
cv electrical tter/senior
technician >> computer
communications engineer
>> technical marketing
engineer >> engineering
team leader >> systems
engineering manager
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:87 13/3/06 2:42:25 PM
88
What aspects of your industry interest you in particular?
The service provider (SP) market is undergoing incredible change,
under attack from new competitors and even new technologies. Even
their current customers are becoming competitors. This change is
incredibly interesting, as it will shape the communications future in
Australia which will look vastly different to what exists now. No-one
has a clear view of what the final outcomes will be.
Where do you see the growth opportunities in this industry?
IT networking as a whole is a huge growth industry, spurred by
changes in the availability of data through new access methods and
the rapidly diminishing cost of equipment. Consumers and business
can acquire computers and communication devices that support voice
and video, along with very high data processing power.
The Internet now provides virtually free long-distance voice calls and
already supports video. Todays growth areas in service providers are
in the mobile and access area: voice, SMS, MMS, chat, mobile video,
voice-over-IP, 3G type services, a huge shift to high speed broadband
away from dial access. These changes create opportunities for
innovative products, like broadband TV and video, but also change the
way people spend their leisure time and their cash, possibly affecting
places like games arcades, cinemas, video stores and music retailers.
Businesses will find cheaper networking services offering more
sophisticated facilities and better security, yet will face similar
challenges to the SPs as competitors will leverage the newer services
as they get cheaper. Thus, service companies who can quickly adapt
to filling the new requirements with interesting products that leverage
these new access technologies, will succeed.
or your job before you started on this career path?
My career has been a series of accidents, good fortune and some
planning. I have been fortunate to have had excellent mentors and
supporters and I regret not taking some of their advice, which could
have increased my success even more. I wish someone had told me
that, while stock markets always rise over time, they also always fall
dramatically when least expected.
Does your job allow you to achieve a worklife balance that
suits you?
My current role allows more time to plan since it is less reactive to the
immediate needs of customers and salesmen. This allows me to better
control the worklife balance mix. Where possible, I take time out when
overseas on the job, and this substitutes for the need for short vacations.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:88 13/3/06 2:42:25 PM
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I nsi der i nf o
We have a very flexible work arrangement; since projects can often
be very time-critical, staff often take work home and do not come to
the office. Cisco provides home-office facilities like broadband and
laptops to most staff so this allows us to work flexibly.
As an engineer I used to work about 65 hours per week; as a manager
I work between 45 and 55 hours per week.
Id like to keep some of my technical skills up-to-date though this is a
challenge as skills weaken when not used. While I am now effectively
a supervisor, Id like to get back to being an individual contributor in
the future, perhaps in another department. I like to teach and coach,
so this may be the next role I aim for.
Is there any comment that you think young people
considering this career path would like to know about the
industry?
There are many types of jobs and many employers in the
telecommunications industry, and none are ideal. Choose a job that
interests you, learn all you can on the job, make yourself useful to
the people you work with and have fun. The money you earn early on
is less important than the enthusiasm you show and the people you
meet and help. Success in all forms will come from the expertise you
develop and the support and guidance returned to you by your clients,
friends and colleagues that youve helped along the way.
brief
Systems engineering manager
$$$ 100K150K
quals none
hrs/wk 4555
lifework work to live, not the
other way round
exibility 7/10
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:89 13/3/06 2:42:25 PM
90
Nigel Moreton System engineering
director
Nigel has worked in his current job for 10 years. As a system
engineering director, he is part of senior management and is
responsible for creating and managing teams of people providing IT
solutions for ANZ.
q&a
What does your current job involve?
I provide strategic direction and delivery of change programs that
support sales and business operations. I create and manage team
structures to provide efficient and effective support for ANZ customers
and partners.
Can you tell us something about your working environment?
I report into an executive team that consists of 10 senior managers or
directors who lead the various business operations including sales,
human resources, support, marketing and operations.
I have two senior consulting engineers reporting to me directly, who
define technical strategies and architect technical solution.
There are six system engineering managers who manage the 70-plus
pre-sales engineers spread throughout Australia and New Zealand.
I work with these managers to set engineering development,
engagement and operation strategies.
Engaging with engineering team members, creating tools or programs
that help engineers operate more efficiently or effectively. Helping
others to succeed.
Nothing!
What interesting projects have you been involved in?
Alongside a team of Cisco engineers, suppliers and media
consultants, I created a showcase environment for our customer
and partner community that promotes IT technology as a solution to
business issues.
I was involved in creating sales and marketing messaging through
the use of multimedia technologies that identifies business issues
(awareness) and defines how IT technologies can be used to solve
todays business issues (resolution). I also created and designed the
building infrastructure, the messaging and the technology to deliver it.
cv apprenticeship in
radio and electronics >>
eld service engineer >>
technical support engineer
>> national operations
manager >> customer
service manager and
operations manager >>
system engineering director
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:90 13/3/06 2:42:26 PM
91
I nsi der i nf o
What aspects of your industry interest you in particular, and
IT solutions help increase business efficiencies so they can meet the
demands of their customers. I enjoy delivering technology to improve
the way people work, live, play and learn.
The growth opportunities for the networking industry of today and
into the future will be the continual convergence of disparate systems
onto one IP (Internet Protocol) network infrastructure delivering secure
access to information (data, voice and video) anywhere at anytime.
An example of this in use today is our ability to make phone calls over
the Internet.
What do wish someone had told you about the industry or
your job before you started on this career path?
I had good advice and followed it ... dont underestimate your ability,
strive for success, never give up, believe in yourself, maintain your
integrity at all times.
that suits you (if it does)?
You have to balance your worklife commitments and most companies
will offer an opportunity for you to create a balanced environment. For
example, I try to arrange my working week so that it fits within the five
business days, this means I start work at 6 am in the office and finish
not later than 7 pm. This allows me to have more freedom to be with
the family on the weekend.
My company offers a range of non-monetary incentives, family
support programs and flexible work hours. It also depends on the
individual. I suggest working with your manager to tailor a program
that suits you and the business.
60 hours plus.
When travelling internationally it is very easy to never stop working
due to varying time zones, this is where you need to create a working
balance.
Continue to help others around me.
f
a
c
t
MYTH
IT is not about
people but more
about systems,
zeros and ones
Technology helps people
improve the world for
everyone, so it is very
much about people.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:91 13/3/06 2:42:26 PM
92
Is there anything that you think young people considering
this career path would like to know about the industry?
There are boom, bust and build-out cycles in any industry, but
if you enjoy technology and people, information technology is a
very rewarding career. This industry is not all about engineering.
Technology on its own is not a solution; technology enhances
business/life solutions. This is a fast-paced industry where change is
the norm and opportunities and challenges are met daily, providing
variety. Like any business it has its support areas sales, marketing,
education therefore there are opportunities to diversify throughout
your career.
myweek
Management meetings on
change or strategy
Sales meetings on bookings
and activities
Travel one week in four
Travel
Problem solving various
phone calls and email to solve
immediate issues
Project work various current
projects
Engineering meetings on internal
and external development and
customer success
Meetings/presentations with
customers, partners, vendors
General administration
Family activities
Model boat building
Music
Walking
brief
System engineering director
$$$ very good for
high performers
quals apprenticeship
radio & electronics;
product management
courses
hrs/wk 60 + travel
lifework work 12-hr working
day and weekends
if critical or travel
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:92 13/3/06 2:42:26 PM
93
I nsi der i nf o
Out of the box
In any profession, there are people who use their
qualifications and experience to do something different,
exceptional or unconventional. Others may combine
their passion for a cause, a sport or a special interest
with their chosen career.
Tim Leach Manager, technical marketing,
Bangalore, India
Tim Leach has used his IT skills to work in Australia, the US, China
and India for networking giant, Cisco Systems. His career has moved
from a trade apprenticeship through to senior IT management, partly
because he has always taken advantage of the training and further
study opportunities his workplaces offered. Nowadays, Tim can be
in ve countries in as many days, creating networking solutions for
customers all over the AsiaPacic region. Living and working in
Bangalore presents its own challenges, but with the help of his local
staff, Tim is nding it very rewarding.
q&a
Whats your job title?
Im the Manager, Technical Marketing, Customer Proof of Concept
Labs, for Cisco Systems.
How long have you worked in this job?
Seven months in this particular role, and six years with the same
department/program.
How long in the industry? What was your job before this one?
If different, how so?
Ive had 22 years in the IT and communications industry.
Before this job, I was an engineer in the same department but based
in Sydney, Australia. The difference now is that I get to manage people
who are working in my previous role.
Briefly describe what you do in your current job.
My department basically facilitates a test drive service for Cisco
System products.
When Cisco has a large deal on the table, one of our customer proof
of concept labs (CPOC) is engaged. My engineers work with Ciscos
account teams to design and build a demonstration that shows the
cv apprentice electrical
tter >> trainee technical
ofcer >> technical support
representative >> network
controller >> network
engineer >> customer
support engineer >> network
consulting engineer >>
technical marketing engineer
>> manager, technical
marketing
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:93 13/3/06 2:42:27 PM
94
proposed equipment being used as the customer would use it. We
then carefully plan a customer visit where we bring the customer
to our lab for up to a week and demonstrate their future network to
them. We call it Test Driving Your Network.
My job is to manage a small team of engineers that plan and conduct
these demonstrations.
How did you get to live and work in Bangalore India?
My working in this job came via my involvement with the same
program within Cisco for the past six years. I first worked with the
CPOC program in Ciscos Research Triangle Park in Raleigh, North
Carolina, USA between 2000 and 2003. My role then was as an
engineer and I conducted the customer visits to the labs.
When Cisco decided to roll the CPOC program out worldwide, I became
involved in starting CPOC labs in other theatres. This involved opening
CPOC labs in Sydney, China and now India. Normally my role had been
to project manage the conversion of an existing facility to work within
our programs guidelines and then move on.
When Cisco decided to build a facility in Bangalore, I also was
involved with the project management and design of the facility. I was
then offered the opportunity to manage the facility.
Whats it like living and working in another culture?
There are several challenges and some surprises.
Most of the challenges stem from a combination of things. English is
widely spoken in India but not by everyone. People such taxi drivers
and manual labourers dont speak English and may only speak one of
the 18 local Indian languages.
The culture is fairly laid-back and a little disorganised. Its quite
common for bookings for taxis or hotels not to have been recorded. Or
for appointments generally not to be kept.
India has a large contingent of servants. It is difficult to get used to
people always rushing to help you with insignificant things such as
opening doors, cleaning up after you or pouring drinks. You get used
to hotel staff throwing things out because they dont recognise them
(such as receipts), drinking a lot of flat beer or constantly having your
conversation disturbed by waiters in restaurants.
As in a lot of countries, foreigners are seen as people with money.
Most transactions require a certain amount of negotiation before they
can take place.
All of the above do make some minor things quite stressful. Catching
a taxi to the office can be very frustrating at times. Often my taxi to the
office, although booked the night before, wont arrive and will then
arrive on the days that I dont need it.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:94 13/3/06 2:42:27 PM
95
I nsi der i nf o
Working overseas, how is your salary package organised?
I am quite fortunate and have managed to maintain my Australian
salary so that is about the average for a CCIE-qualified engineer in
Australia. I also get my board and lodging paid for as well as my meals
and flights paid for.
People in the same position as me who are local employees in India
appear to be earning 1/3 to 1/5 of my Australian salary.
I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing our department successfully
complete a customer demonstration and a customer providing good
feedback. To me, this tells me that our operation is on track, we have
the right people in jobs, we have built a good facility and we have
generally implemented the program properly in India.
Fairly simple things that take little time to accomplish in Australia can
take significantly longer in India. Tasks, such as getting some data
cabling installed. may not always be completed correctly the first time.
Often such things need to be escalated before they can be resolved.
Also finding good short-term accommodation can be a problem.
Bangalore is booming and the reputable hotels are often full. We
are often required to book unknown hotels or apartments. Its not
uncommon to arrive at a hotel to find no recorded booking or that you
are sharing a serviced apartment with several others.
What interesting projects have you been involved in?
Probably the most interesting project was building the CPOC facility
itself. Although we used an internal department to project manage the
building work there was still a lot of organising that had to be done by
me and my peers. Observing the way that my colleagues interacted
with other departments and subcontractors gave me a good insight
into the Indian business culture.
This experience proved to be useful when the facility opened and we
were required to interact with other departments and customers. We
opened our facility in December and have demonstrated networks
to seven large customers. It is very interesting to see the advanced
infrastructure that Indian enterprises and service providers have
planned for the future.
What aspects of the industry interest you in particular, and
IP communications interests me greatly. I feel like is one of the biggest
growth areas in IT at present. Just about every form of communication,
be it data, voice or video is taking advantage of the internet and related
technologies nowadays. This change creates many opportunities
for people to work with these technologies. Certainly in India these
technologies are a major growth area and provide many good career
glossary
CCIE means:
Cisco Certied
Internetworking Expert.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:95 13/3/06 2:42:28 PM
96
opportunities. Many of the international companies located here take
advantage of these technologies to communicate internationally. This
has created opportunities for people to work with these technologies
at enterprises, service providers and equipment makers.
that suits you (if it does)?
My job does allow for worklife balance, however it does require us to
work to meet deadlines at time. Often when preparing for customer
visits we need to work late at nights or during the weekends. We then
take extra time off in the following weeks to make up for that time.
One drawback of such a job is the technology can be addictive. You
can find yourself engrossed in what you are doing and lose track of
time, only to find that what you thought was 7 pm is really 10 pm.
Where to from here? What are your ambitions?
I feel that facilitating demonstrations for Cisco is a good fit for me. I
feel it gives me an opportunity to use all of my skills, from electrical
engineer and photographer through to musician. I can see myself
staying in this part of the business.
What qualifications do you have? What university? Do you
feel they are necessary for your job?
Associate Diploma of Electronics Engineering
Electrical Trades Certificate
Certified Cisco Internetwork Expert (CCIE).
My formal qualifications were primarily obtained via the TAFE system.
For me the associate diploma course gave the right balance of practical
and theory. Most of what I learnt was easily applied to the workplace.
It is important to keep yourself marketable. To me, experience gained
on the job is as important as formal qualifications. You should know
the most marketable skills in the marketplace and find some way
to learn the technologies associated with these. A good job should
provide you with ample self study material as well as at least two
training opportunities per year. It is important to keep evaluating your
job to ensure that you have good learning opportunities. If not you
should strive to work for a company working with such technologies.
Now that I am in a management role, I intend to use my training
opportunities to learn more about management. I would also like to
start an MBA via distance education in the next few years.
brief
Manager, technical marketing
$$$ cant complain
quals CCIE, Associate
diploma
hrs/wk 5055
lifework technology can
be addictive!
exibility 7/10
in
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:96 13/3/06 2:42:28 PM
84310_SEK0092F_250x176 16/12/05 5:08 PM Page 1
Along with new intelligence comes new thinking, new knowledge and new opportunities.
The University of Canberras state-of-the-art courses and commitment to building
outcomes is your ticket to a valued career in information technology.
Information Technology is an ever-evolving eld. Our courses are industry relevant and
ensure you have the knowledge and skills to succeed in the real world. A degree in
Information Technology, Software Engineering or Business Informatics will provide you
with the fundamentals to start or continue your career in the IT industry.
The University of Canberra also offers double degrees in Business Administration/
Business Informatics and Information Technology/Commerce to broaden your career
even further.
What we offer
Choose your university well,
make the intelligent choice.
For more information
P: 02 6201 2417
F: 02 6201 5231
E: isecourses@canberra.edu.au
W: www.blis.canberra.edu.au
CRICOS PROVIDER No.00098G
BIOINFORMATICS
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
COMPUTER SCIENCE
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
think of a world where robots play soccer without remote control.
think of a world where search engines find what you really want.
think of a world where computers automatically diagnose
lung disease to assist doctors.
think of a world where
commuters on a bus or
train can surf the web and
check emails. think of a
world where computers
use artifical intelligence
to track the spread of
the cane toad in
remote places
researchers
cant easily
reach. think
of driving
a car which
uses GPS and
maps to get you
the best fuel
economy. think of a
world where mobile phones know
youre in a meeting and
automatically go to silent mode.

think of being someone
who can change the world.
think ahead.
think UNSW COMPUTING
where all this already happens.
101
Ready, set,
go for it!
What qualications do I need?
Entry into IT may be achieved by a variety of means, including through
formal education, career breaks and experience, or a combination of
these. Luck plays a part, as does intuition and timing. Bill Gates, founder
of Microsoft and Steve Jobs of Apple and Pixar fame both dropped
out of university and did brilliantly. Some talented programmers or
entrepreneurs have invented businesses in their bedrooms or garages
that launched a powerhouse career, while others labour on in obscurity.
Taking all of this into consideration, the best advice is: nd what you
like best and can do best and then get qualied in doing it! Some of
our interviewees found their way into good careers through sheer
talent and not a little luck, but more of them have a solid academic
base behind them. All agreed that the right qualication can set you
apart in a crowded market. So lets look at what is available ...
In broad terms, there are three main education and training options
for entry into the IT industry:
university courses
TAFE courses
industry-based courses.
Some employers consider a
high degree of prociency in
Microsoft Excel crucial.
fyi
www.mbaguide.com.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:101 13/3/06 2:42:28 PM
102
In practice, many people have experience with all of these, and one
of the best things about modern IT education is the extent to which
you can mix and match offerings from all three sectors. You can pick
up a thread at TAFE, do some core units, maybe get a Certicate III
or IV, nd work, transfer to university on the basis of some credits for
your TAFE experience, graduate, nd better work, then get industry
certications in specialised subjects before moving up again. This is a
much more likely pattern of education and certication nowadays than
the traditional route of enrolment in one stream at one institution.
There is an absolute smorgasbord of educational offerings available in
the tech sector, so get a grip on what youre good at, and look for the
best options out there to qualify in.
University courses
On offer at universities are undergraduate and postgraduate degrees
and graduate diplomas.
When Australian universities rst offered computer science degrees,
the courses were pretty out there and employers stamped them as
irrelevant to real-world information technology.
Now, a variety of tertiary qualications in IT are available from
universities around the country.
Courses in IT are subject to frequent revision, and the titles used to
describe the content of each course vary from place to place. Many
broadly titled courses such as a Bachelor of Computer Science or
Software Engineering offer specialities that may become a major focus
during degree studies.
As the eld becomes more differentiated, specialised degrees are
becoming available, with a particularly interesting development
being hybrid degrees. These are degrees in all kinds of schools and
disciplines that all have an IT focus.
In addition to undergraduate degrees, many universities offer
graduate diploma or certicate programs to graduates in other
disciplines needing IT certication.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:102 13/3/06 2:42:29 PM
103
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
There is no reason
anyone would want a
computer in their home.
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of DEC
during a WorldFuture Society meeting in Boston, 1977
There are many different IT courses offered by universities. In this
section, we summarise the following areas, look at their differences
and similarities, and match up courses with careers. We then look at a
specic IT course in detail.
Computer Engineering
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Informatics
Network Computing
Database Design, Administration and Programming
Business Information Systems
Internet Technology
Library and Information Services.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:103 13/3/06 2:42:29 PM
104
The rst area we look at is computer engineering. Although there is a
lot of crossover between the disciplines of engineering and computer
science, engineering focuses more on the development of solutions
to practical, technical problems producing an outcome, or devising a
solution, within the constraints of available materials, know-how and
budget. Engineering is concerned with general principles which can be
applied to a wide range of situations and subjects, of which computing
is one. Engineering graduates are found in a wide range of occupations
in IT and elsewhere.
Computer science, on the other hand, is mostly concerned with
the theoretical basis of computers and information systems in
particular. It is a science in that it has a strong research and discovery
component. Its fundamental disciplines are data, data transformations
and algorithms.
Computer science graduates are suitable for career streams requiring
a deep and detailed knowledge of systems theory, data structures and
the interaction of digital data streams and microchips. Faculties of
computer science are located at most Australian universities, notably
the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the University of New
South Wales (UNSW), RMIT University, Monash University and the
University of Queensland (UQ).
Software engineering describes the requirements, design,
construction, management and ongoing development of software for
use in a wide range of circumstances. It applies the techniques and
knowledge of computer and information science to the development,
operation and maintenance of software systems. Software
engineering is highly recommended for students seeking careers in
advanced programming, application development and similar elds.
Infomatics is different from computer science or engineering as it is
concerned with the principles involved in gathering, manipulating,
storing, classifying and presenting sets of recorded information. Many
IT-related courses exist under the umbrella of Informatics. These
courses are for students who wish to work in IT in capacities other
than as a programmer, engineer or software developer perhaps in
New Media as writers or critics, or as game programmers, system
analysts, technical writers or instructional designers.
The University of Sydneys Bachelor of Arts in Informatics is aimed at
students who want IT training and seek to acquire that training in the
context of a broad education in the humanities and social sciences rather
than in a degree where the main emphasis is on computer science.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:104 13/3/06 2:42:30 PM
105
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
The University of Wollongong (UOW) offers advanced IT programs
in many of its faculties, not least of which is the award-winning
Multimedia Design Lab in the Faculty of Education.
Network computing concentrates on network architecture,
conguration, maintenance and troubleshooting. This stream is the
domain of Cisco Certied Networking Associate (CCNA) certications,
which are incorporated in many university degree streams, for
example at Queensland University of Technologys Cisco Networking
Academy Program.
Cisco networking also comprises important parts of networking
courses at James Cook, Monash, UTS and UNSW, among others.
Other networking specialties include TCP/IP, IPX, network operating
systems and general network architecture.
Database design, administration and programming cover the
specialist skills required to understand, administer, program
and develop database technologies. They are suitable for those
planning to enter the Oracle world, seeking skills in Microsofts
SQL technologies, or seeking qualication in RDBMS (Relational
Database Management Systems), online analytical processing, data
warehousing and data modelling.
Edith Cowan University is a member of the Oracle Academic Initiative,
offering Oracle training as part of their undergraduate degree
structure. Monash IT and others also provide training in Oracle
technologies. Elsewhere, database science is taught as a stream
within practically every undergraduate IT degree course
Business Information Systems (BIS) programs seek to combine a
rigorous IT training program with training in business skills, with
the aim of turning out rounded graduates with skills across both
computer systems and various business disciplines. Typically BIS
streams offer sponsored traineeships and internships to provide
invaluable real-life experience in the business world whether it be in
nance, human resources or some other aspect of business.
Bachelor of Business Information Systems (BBIS) degrees are
available from many universities including the University of Sydney,
the Australian National University (ANU), the University of South
Australia (UniSA), Swinburne TAFE and RMIT.
glossary
TCP/IP means:
a collection of protocols
that dene the basic
workings of the Internet.
IPX means:
Internetwork Packet
Exchange, an Internet
protocol.
RDBMS means:
relational database
management systems.
SQL means:
a language that provides
an interface to relational
database systems
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:105 13/3/06 2:42:30 PM
106
Internet technology is a topic which really deserves specialised
treatment, but we can say that many elements of Internet and WWW
technologies including Unix and Server OS, scripting languages,
mark-up languages including HTML, XML and information design
are strongly represented in undergraduate and postgraduate IT
courses. Victoria University of Technology offers a three-year Bachelor
of Science in Internet Technologies and Applications, as does the
University of Western Australia.
Many web-based software technologies are also taught as part
of industry training programs by, for example, Oracle, IBM, Sun,
Microsoft and others.
Library and information services refers to a specialised application of
Informatics, concerned with library classication systems. Librarians
are professionals who manage and provide library and information
services by analysing, evaluating, organising and synthesising
information to meet client needs. The role of the librarian focuses on
management, direction, policy formulation and applications required
to meet the information needs of clients.
Library technicians work with librarians in the provision of library and
information services. The role of the library technician focuses on the
operational and technical aspects of the information or library service.
Informatics at UOW
www.informatics.uow.edu.au
Cisco networking at QUT
www.cisco.t.qut.edu.au
The Australian Library Industry
Association
www.alia.org.au/education
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:106 13/3/06 2:42:30 PM
107
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
A snapshot of a degree program can be gleaned by looking at any
university website most show the actual structure and courses that
are run.
UTS offers a typical four-year, full-time course covering all aspects
of computing and information technology. It takes a practice-based
approach to IT with a mix of theoretical and practical content. As well
as gaining strong technical skills, students gain skills in problem solving
and teamwork. They also get to apply their classroom skills to the real
world through the courses on-the-job training component.
The course can also be completed over six years part-time. A typical
full-time program is outlined in the table below.
Year 1: Autumn semester Year 1: Spring semester
Object-oriented Programming Object-oriented Design
Principles of Distributed Computing Distributed Computing Architecture
Networking 1 Networking 2
Information, Classication and
Control
Introduction to Collaborative
Systems
Data Structures and Procedural
Programming
Systems Development Project
Database Fundamentals Plus electives
Requirements Engineering
Preparation for and Review of IT
Experience
Review of IT Experience
IT Experience 1 IT Experience 2
Project Management and Quality
Assurance
Information Technology Professional
and Society
Plus electives Strategic Information Technology
Planning Project
Plus electives
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology course structure
Source: UTS website, www.uts.edu.au, 2005
Log on to the UTS chat
forum ask.it to have your
questions about IT programs,
scholarships and entry
requirements answered by
UTS staff or students.
http://ask.it.uts.edu.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:107 13/3/06 2:42:30 PM
108
In semesters that include electives, students can choose either an IT
sub-major subject or an elective. IT sub-majors include:
Internet Working
Mobile Computing
Applications Development
IT Management
Computer Graphics and Animation
Software Engineering
Internet Business Technology
Electives can be as diverse as Aboriginal Studies, Business
Accounting, Economics, Employment Relations, International
Management, Physics, Statistics, Specialist Country Studies,
Marketing and Advertising Principles.
Industry support for universities
University departments now often collaborate with IT companies
(sometimes referred to as vendors. Such collaborations
include the Australian Apple University Consortium (AAUC) and
the Microsoft IT Academy program. These collaborations are
conducted via industry grants supporting lectureships from
companies such as Cisco and Ericsson, and through research
programs such as Microsoft Research Asia.
In so doing, university IT schools have sought to align their
curriculum and teaching methods more closely with commercial
practices; UTS among others places particular emphasis
on this. And despite the fact that recruiters and employers
habitually grumble about the unsuitability of recent graduates
for the real job market, a professional qualication in the eld
nevertheless remains a criterion for many job openings, and
many universities are making a big effort to provide hands-on
commercial experience for their students.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:108 13/3/06 2:42:31 PM
109
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
There is often tension in the relationship between technology
companies and academic computing schools. For their part,
many schools dont want to be seen as indebted to commercial
considerations and wish to preserve their intellectual
independence and the academic purity of the subject matter
that emphasises knowledge for its own sake. On the other hand,
companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, IBM and Cisco have played
such a major part in developing many of the technologies which
underpin current developments that it is a challenge even to
teach certain IT subjects without reference to them.
The role of the technology company is one of the major factors
driving social change in the modern world. The business models
and general commercial sensibility of the technology sector
are having an inuence over and above that created by the
technology alone.
This tension continues to exist between the academic and
commercial approaches. So be aware that in some cases your
university studies may hardly mention the practical, commercial
aspects of the vendor courses so you may study databases
without much reference to Oracle, and networking without a lot
of mention of Cisco.
However, some universities are collaborating with business. For
example, Monash IT offers many industry certication modules
either as short courses or as part of a degree program.
Also, the IT Masters Course at Charles Sturt University is a
collaborative effort between the tertiary sector and leading
companies offering industry certication in a university environment.
What if I dont get the marks for university?
For those who have not completed year 12 or did not get enough
marks to enter their rst choice, some interesting alternatives
are available.
www.australian-universities.
com
Monash IT
www.mit.com.au
IT Masters
www.itmasters.com.au
f i nd out
more
The CIO Executive Council
is currently developing a
standardised tertiary course
to be completed at the
University of New South
Wales, Victoria University
and the University of
Queensland.
The aim is to prepare people
to move into a career within IT
with developed business skills
as well as technical expertise.
fyi
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Sydney Institute of Business Technology
The Sydney Institute of Business Technology (SIBT) on the Macquarie
campus provides an alternative entry stream into IT studies at
Macquarie University. This stream requires completion of Year 11 or
intention to enter at Year 12 level. The main focus is on business IT
with a range of course options covering Business Administration,
Commerce, Computing and Communication.
Multiple criteria entry
The Faculty of Engineering at UNSW has introduced a new entry
scheme that looks beyond examination results.
Multiple criteria entry is a system that assesses the suitability of
potential students for an IT course in an interview situation.
The interview helps the faculty assess motivation, attitudes and
commitment in areas that arent necessarily reected in a high-
school examination result.
Sydney Institute of Business
Technology
http://sibt.nsw.edu.au
Engineering Faculty, UNSW
www.eng.unsw.edu.au
f i nd out
more
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Ready, set,
go f or i t!
TAFE courses
Each state government is responsible for its TAFE institutions.
However, they all conform to national training standards. As such,
qualications from any TAFE are recognised Australia-wide.
TAFE courses on offer include VET (Vocational Education and Training)
programs such as Certicates I to IV and diplomas offered by TAFE
colleges and private training colleges.
TAFE courses are categorised into courses based on three different
entrance criteria. These are:
no standard educational entry requirements
an entry requirement of Year 10 or equivalent
an entry requirement of Year 12 or equivalent.
However, anyone can reach the highest TAFE qualication. Once you
begin at TAFE, you can work your way up to a diploma and certicate
level if you continue to do well. If you get good results in a TAFE
course, these can also be useful if you want to change to a university
course at some stage.
IT-related courses with no formal educational prerequisites include:
Computer Accounting Statement of Attainment
Computers for Life Statement of Attainment
Computers, A First Course Short Course
Computing Skills for the Ofce Statement of Attainment
Information Technology Certicate I.
Year 10 or equivalent entry IT courses include:
IT Applications Certicate II
Client Support Certicate IV
Database Administration Certicate IV
Help desk Certicate IV
Network Administration Certicate III
Network Management Certicate IV
Programming Certicate IV
TAFE NSW is the largest
vocational training and
education provider in Australia
and offers a exible and
adaptable curriculum through
a wide network of colleges
for a relatively low cost.
Classes are available part- or
full-time, as classroom-based
or online units.
fyi
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112
Year 12 or equivalent entry IT courses include:
Business Analysis Diploma
Database Design and Development Diploma
Knowledge Management Diploma
Knowledge Support Certicate IV
Network Engineering Diploma
Software Development Diploma
Systems Administration Diploma.
Enquire at your local TAFE about availability of any course of interest as
the entry criteria can be exible and are subject to frequent revision.
What can I expect to learn at TAFE?
TAFE courses are offered in modules and you are able to choose
from a large range of subjects and combine them to create a unique
learning pathway.
TAFE is very strong in hands-on and practical skill education,
particularly network management and system administration.
The following example from the curriculum for Queenslands TAFE
Diploma in Network Administration will provide you with a snapshot:
Unit Outline
Install and Congure a
Network
Denes the competency required to carry
out installation for the network hardware and
software and initial conguration
Build an Internet
Infrastructure
Denes the competency required to design
and implement an Internet to provide
services to client users
Apply Skills in Project
Integration
Denes the competency required to
manage the eight functions of project
management to best meet or exceed
project objectives throughout the project
life cycle
Install and Optimise System
Software
Denes the competency required to apply
aspects of systems optimisation
Install Network Hardware to
a Network
Denes the competency required to plan,
manage and support the installation of new
components in a network
Install Software to
Networked Computers
Denes the competency required to plan,
manage and support the installation of
software to networked computers
TAFE runs programs
designed to assist placing
graduates in the workplace,
such as industry seminars
and introductory sessions.
TAFE is also responsible for
traineeships that may offer
work experience or job-
placement programs.
fyi
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Ready, set,
go f or i t!
How long does it take?
The time taken to do a course varies with the level of the course.
As a general guide, courses range from about 18 weeks full-time for
Certicate I courses to two years full-time for Diploma courses. Part-
time attendance takes longer. Statements of Attainment may take only
a few part-time weeks; many short courses can be completed over
several days.
At TAFE you can choose full-time, part-time and other exible study
and attendance options to suit your circumstances. For example, in
some courses you can start full-time, nd a job in your chosen eld
and nish your study part-time. In other courses you can study at your
own pace from home, or wherever you choose.
Will a TAFE qualication guarantee a job?
TAFE qualications are well regarded, and the knowledge they provide
is useful sometimes indispensable but because entry is fairly open
and the fee structure very affordable, a TAFE diploma is not regarded
as an elite qualication. But they are an important building block in a
career plan, and can serve as your foundation to an IT career.
TAFE and university whats
the difference?
There is a degree of crossover between TAFE and university
IT courses, particularly in practical IT skills. Subjects such as
Network Management and Router Conguration will naturally be
very similar at TAFE and university.
Generally speaking, a TAFE course will concentrate on the
skills and knowledge required for a job role or function, and a
university will provide a more in-depth understanding of the
principles underlying the topic, as well as higher-order skills in
thinking, reasoning, research and presentation. This is because
university IT departments have an academic heritage based on
a imparting a certain depth of knowledge and a solid theoretical
foundation to the disciplines they teach.
TAFE NSW
www.tafensw.edu.au
TAFE Queensland
www.tafe.qld.gov.au
TAFE Victoria
www.tafe.vic.edu.au
TAFE Tasmania
www.tafe.tas.edu.au
TAFE South Australia
www.tafe.sa.edu.au
TAFE Western Australia
www.tafe.wa.gov.au
f i nd out
more
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TAFE and university credit transfer
A number of credit transfer agreements have been created between
TAFE NSW and Australian universities. These arrangements
allow students to claim advanced standing to specied
university courses including those offered by Central Queensland
University, CSU and UNSW. This means that if you complete
a number of units at TAFE level, you are able to transfer to a
university degree stream in a related area at these universities.
Several of our interviewees have TAFE experience and/or
qualications, and note that there is a fair degree of commonality
between many of the subjects taught at TAFE and university,
particularly in skills such as network administration and desktop
support. However as we shall see, the university approach does
offer a greater degree of variety and depth of instruction.
Industry-based courses
There are many pathways into IT other than university and TAFE.
Industry associations and certications (sometimes referred to as
vendor certications) are popular pathways.
Industry certication
The role of the major technology companies in shaping the IT
landscape is very signicant. In times past, important discoveries have
generally originated with breakthroughs by researchers, scientists
and inventors, to be subsequently exploited by commercial interests
for competitive advantage; but in the computer industry, many of
the major innovations have been intended as commercial strategies
from the outset, and have emanated from the laboratories and design
suites of commercial companies such as Apple, Cisco, Microsoft, Sun
and IBM, among many others.
Microsoft, for one, has obviously had an enormous inuence on the
way IT has developed. Indeed, they can be said to have pioneered the
business practice of succeeding by establishing technology standards,
de facto if not always de jure. Cisco practically denes inter-networking
and routing. Sun invented Java, and in one stroke changed the nature of
network computing. IBM invented the hard drive. Aldus invented desktop
publishing, and Adobe, Photoshop. Apple gave the world usability, without
which none of it would have been much good. And the list goes on...
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:114 13/3/06 2:42:32 PM
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Ready, set,
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The entry-level courses offered by the Computer Technology Industry
Association (CompTIA), Certied Internet Webmaster (CIW) and
Microsoft Certied Systems Engineers (MCSE) programs are
excellent starting points for anyone wanting to get a foothold in the
industry, but again, try to combine them with your work experience
wherever possible.
The costs involved in higher-level certication in technologies such as
Oracle and SAP are comparable to those for full-time tertiary units and
generally require both experience and prior qualication in foundation
technologies. The ideal path for many of these certications is employer
sponsorship opportunities, however Rhonda Bassett, Oracle Australias
Delivery Manager, observes that there is an increasing trend in the
education industry of tertiary institutions tying up with technology
vendors to include product training into standard curriculum.
However, if you can get experienced and certied in Oracle, Cisco, or
SAP, these provide excellent career paths in IT. As for MCSE certication,
it is practically a mandatory requirement for network administrators and
architects, help desk, support and numerous other job roles.
Most certications must be renewed regularly or as systems change,
usually by written exam. This means you (or your employer) must
maintain an investment in ongoing professional education.
CCIEs are valued because the certication is challenging to
get in the rst place, and also challenging to maintain. A CCIE
must be recertied every two years by completing a written
exam that covers the most important current technologies. So
although I achieved CCIE status in 1998, I need to know about
todays technology to maintain my certication status. Being a
contractor, I have to pay for my own recertication, but for
a relatively small investment (about $400) I can keep these
important letters after my name.
John Dillane, CCIE (Routing and switching) #3419, Network designer
CompTIA
CompTIA is an industry association and certication organisation
founded in the United States in 1982 to advance the IT industry, and
supported by a number of vendors. CompTIA has also developed an
internationally recognised curriculum of certications outlined below.
CompTIA certications are supported and recommended by many
companies, including Microsoft, as prerequisites for further certication.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:115 13/3/06 2:42:32 PM
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A+: Geared toward hardware technicians that have at least six
months experience. Achieving an A+ certication tells employers
that you possess the knowledge, skills, and customer relations
skills essential for a successful entry-level (six months experience)
computer service technician.
I-Net+: Recognised as a baseline technical knowledge specically
designed to certify entry-level Internet and e-commerce technical
professionals. Those holding i-Net+ certication demonstrate
knowledge and competency in Internet basics and clients,
development, networking, Internet security and business concepts.
Server+: Validates the knowledge and abilities of individuals with
18 to 24 months of experience with Industry Standard Server
Architecture (ISSA). Server+ certication establishes the persons
ability to install, congure, diagnose and troubleshoot server
hardware and network operating systems.
Linux+: The Linux+ certication validates technical competency
and provides a broad awareness of Linux operating systems. Those
holding Linux+ certication demonstrate critical knowledge of
installation, operation, administration and troubleshooting services.
Network+: The Network+ certication validates technical
competency in networking administration and support. Those
holding Network+ certication demonstrate critical knowledge
of media and topologies, protocols and standards, network
implementation and network support. This certication is geared
toward those with nine months eld experience in network
administration and support.
In Australia, CompTIA has launched an ambitious international
program called IT Pro. This program seeks to realign IT training with
industry requirements by:
Developing strong industry communities and providing a sense of
identity, excitement and pride in the IT professions;
Linking training and performance to ensure that IT skills training
matches industry requirements;
Attracting new entrants to the IT industry, in recognition of the
importance of IT as a driving force in the global economy in all
kinds of industry sectors;
CompTIA
www.comptia.org/certicaion
Check out what IT Pro
Australia offers at
www.itpro.comptia.com.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:116 13/3/06 2:42:33 PM
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Ready, set,
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Supporting teachers in schools through a range of programs
including support programs, industry networking, and other
professional development initiatives.
The IT Pro initiative is sponsored by leading IT vendors including Apple
Computer, Microsoft, Cisco and Hewlett Packard.
Oracle
In the United States, Oracle courses are distributed online by Oracle
University, which in Australia is called Oracle Learning.
The Oracle Learning homepage is a portal to the complete range of
Oracle learning resources. Details of the entire suite of subjects across
the Oracle product range including database design, application
server, development tools and e-business suite, and more, are
provided on this site.
Oracle Learning offers a variety of training formats including
Instructor-led Training, Live Web Classes, Self-Study CD-ROM and
Self-Paced Online.
The Oracle Education curriculum is too lengthy to be summarised
here; see Appendix 4 or refer to the website for further details.
Oracle learning
www.oracle.com/education
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:117 13/3/06 2:42:33 PM
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Microsoft
Microsoft Certied Professionals nd career opportunities throughout
the modern enterprise, education system or business.
The following provides a brief introduction to Microsoft Certications.
The Microsoft Certied Architect Program (MCAP) targets practising
solutions architects and infrastructure architects who successfully
apply frameworks and methodologies to create an architecture
through the entire IT lifecycle.
Microsoft Certied Desktop Support Technicians (MCDSTs) have the
technical and customer service skills to troubleshoot hardware and
software operation issues in Microsoft Windows environments.
Microsoft Certied Systems Administrators (MCSAs) administer
network and systems environments based on the Microsoft Windows
platforms. Specialisations include Messaging and Security.
Microsoft Certied Systems Engineers (MCSEs) design and implement
an infrastructure solution based on the Windows platform and
Microsoft Windows Server System software. Specialisations also
include Messaging and Security. MCSE is practically a mandatory
requirement for many network administration, help desk and IT
management roles.
Microsoft Certied Database Administrators (MCDBAs) design,
implement, and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases.
Microsoft Certied Trainers (MCTs) are qualied instructors certied
by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft training courses to IT professionals
and developers.
Microsoft Certied Application Developers (MCADs) use Microsoft
technologies to develop and maintain department-level applications,
components, web or desktop clients, or back-end data services.
Microsoft Certied Solution Developers (MCSDs) design and develop
leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft development tools,
technologies, platforms and the Windows architecture.
Microsoft Ofce Specialists (MOSs) are globally recognised for
demonstrating advanced skills with Microsoft desktop software.
Exams are administered by independent testing organisations at
locations worldwide. There are a variety of registration options via
the web or at a specic testing centre site. Select your area of study,
testing program, and region.
Microsoft Certication
www.microsoft.com/learning
f i nd out
more
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Ready, set,
go f or i t!
Cisco
Cisco make the routers which form the backbone of the Internet.
One of the worlds most successful companies, Cisco dominates
the market for IP routing products and Cisco certication or product
knowledge is a necessity for network professionals.
Cisco offers three levels of general certication: Associate, Professional,
and Expert (CCIE; representing the highest level of achievement).
Various paths (or tracks) such as Routing and Switching, Network
Security, and Service Provider are available so individuals can match
their certication path to their job role or industry.
In addition to general certications, network professionals can enhance
their core networking knowledge by achieving specialist certication
in technologies such as security, IP telephony, and wireless.
Cisco certications include:
Cisco Certied Design Associate (CCDA)
Cisco Certied Design Professional (CCDP)
Cisco Certied Internetworking Professional (CCIP)
Cisco Certied Network Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certied Network Professional (CCNP)
Cisco Certied Security Professional (CCSP)
Cisco Firewall Specialist.
More are available in, for example, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
and Voice over IP (VoIP).
SAP
SAP is the leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
development company with a huge installed base all over the world in
manufacturing, mining, distribution and enterprises of all kinds.
Experienced and certied SAP consultants and managers are in steady
demand Australia-wide, where their skills are put to use in banking
and nance and many other corporate settings.
Entry into SAP consultancy is quite difcult to achieve, however a
strong undergraduate qualication in computer science, engineering or
in software engineering and development is an excellent preparation.
Cisco certication
www.cisco.com
University of Queenslands
Cisco Networking Academy
www.cisco.t.qut.edu.au
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:119 13/3/06 2:42:33 PM
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SAPs education program is highly regarded in the industry and is
delivered internationally by a network of training providers and
increasingly by e-learning.
The SAP solutions certication is available for specic SAP solutions.
Certication exams are taken after completing the appropriate SAP
Solution Academy course and case study, or the equivalent SAP
standard curriculum at a SAP training centre. Those with signicant
experience implementing a SAP solution can take the exam without
completing the course work.
Those who have completed the SAP Solution Academy or SAP
solutions training classes can take the technology exam to become a
Certied Technology Consultant. Those with signicant experience in
Basis, SAP system administration, or R/3 database administration can
take the exam without completing the course work.
The development consultant certication is available for individuals who
are developing applications to interface with other SAP solutions. After
completing the necessary Solution Academy courses, the technology
exam is taken to become a certied development consultant.
With the rapid expansion of the computer and computer systems in
all business applications, it is no wonder that there are many more
certication programs that are designed to help industries and
businesses run their IT departments.
The Certied Internet Webmaster (CIW) program is another vendor-
independent, industry-wide program with a specic focus on Internet
technologies.
CIW courses and
certications
www.ciwcertied.com
SAP certication
www.sap.com
New Horizons administers
CompTIA in Australia
www.newhorizons.com
f i nd out
more
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Ready, set,
go f or i t!
The Internet Webmasters Association (IWA) also runs online,
instructor-led classes through its website.
Both groups have a comprehensive range of classes in all things
Web HTML, JavaScript, server technologies, database for the web,
technical writing, web imaging, and more.
IBM manages a massive certication program across areas encompassing
software (Websphere, Lotus, Tivoli and DB2); hardware (AIX and IBM
server technology); and other areas including e-business hosting services,
grid computing, IBM infrastructure systems architect and many more.
Sun provides certication in the Java programming language.
The Standard Edition (J2SE) provides compiler, tools, runtimes and
APIs for writing, deploying and running applets and applications in the
Java programming language.
The Enterprise Edition (J2EE) manages the infrastructure and
supports web services to enable development of secure, robust and
interoperable business applications.
The Micro Edition (J2ME) is used for consumer and embedded devices
such as mobile telephones, PDAs, TV set-top boxes, in-vehicle
telematics systems and a broad range of embedded devices.
Experience has to match up with
certication
Getting industry certication without corresponding career
experience will not guarantee career success. Candidates light on
commercial experience but with certications gained by online
courses and similar means are often frustrated in the job market.
Think of each element of certication and experience as like
the pitons that rock-climbers use to tackle a cliff. A certication
is like one piton and provides a foothold. The next step should
be to nd some way of putting the certication to work, which
will make the next piton. Then some additional qualication
can be driven in building on your experience. In the end, you
may have qualications from TAFE, university and industry
certication programs, which will lay a solid foundation to your
career plan, provided you can demonstrate how your knowledge
has been put to work.
IWA
http://iwa-hwg.eclasses.org
IBM certications
www-03.ibm.com
Sun Microsystems
www.sun.com/training
f i nd out
more
API stands for application
programming interface.
fyi
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How do I get that job?
So, youre in your last year of an IT university degree or TAFE
certicate? Or maybe youve already qualied. What now?
There are some very important principles involved in applying for IT
jobs which are often overlooked.
First, as the song says, accentuate the positive. You dont
have to exaggerate, and you should denitely never fake your
accomplishments or lie about what youve done. You may think that
it will give you an advantage but honesty is by far the best policy as if
youre caught out it will not help your reputation at all.
Concentrate on the positives be condent in your ability, know what
youre good at and where your strengths are, and write your rsum
accordingly. There are times and places to be self-critical, but this is
not one of them! So, avoid hype, but use strong, positive terminology
and project a condent image. Avoid negatives dont dwell on tasks,
roles or jobs which you are NOT suited to or comfortable with. Dont
be self-deprecating in your rsum. (Well look at more pointers about
your rsum below.)
Lets take a closer look at the recruitment process.
How are people recruited?
There are many ways that people nd themselves in the job they
are doing. Recruitment is a part of the process as is networking with
people in the industry. As the Internet becomes more and more a part
of our everyday lives, so companies, government departments and
recruitment rms are using this medium more and more to nd the
right person for the job advertised.
The many ways to be recruited into an IT job include:
recruitment agencies
networking
graduate recruitment programs
government recruitment
online recruitment.
Many employers still
advertise in the major daily
newspapers, particularly
on Saturdays. However,
look out for special IT
feature days, which have IT
jobs and careers sections
and often advertise
graduate programs.
fyi
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Recruitment agencies
The role of the recruitment company is pivotal in the IT jobs market.
So the odds are that if youre looking to make your career in IT, you
will be dealing with recruitment companies.
Lets take a moment to consider how recruiters operate. Recruiters
are paid by companies to nd individuals for particular roles. The
traditional model will involve a fee based on a percentage of the
successful candidates rst year annual salary; the more senior the
position, the higher the fee, which is typically 15 per cent to 30 per
cent of the salary gure.
So, if a recruiter places an IT manager for $130 000, then the
recruitment fee might be $20 000 to $30 000.
Contract recruitment and agency placements are somewhat different,
in that they will charge the client a rate which is typically 15 to 25 per
cent greater than the hourly rate being paid to the contractor. So if
youre a contractor getting $40 an hour, your time is probably being
invoiced to the client at $50 to $55 per hour. Many agencies provide
a number of contractors on a semi-permanent or project basis under
this kind of arrangement.
In return, the agency looks after your tax, superannuation and
insurance cover. It provides you, the contractor, the convenience
of having your employment managed and also offers the hiring
organisation a very exible workforce, as contractors have no holiday
pay or security of tenure, frequently being employed on contracts
which allow for termination at short notice.
The reason recruiters are so central in IT in particular is that many of
the roles are highly specialised, involving technologies of which the
hiring company itself may have very limited knowledge they often
dont know exactly what they are looking for.
Furthermore as new trends and technologies have emerged with
amazing rapidity over the last few decades, sudden requirements will
emerge for which your organisation has no obvious precedent.
Say youre an IT manager in a bank, and it becomes clear that Internet
banking is something the bank needs to stay competitive. You do
your research and decide that Java and various specialised software
applications are required. Relatively suddenly, you need a number
of experienced Java programmers with a background in banking and
mainframe integration and Java has only been around for a few
Yes, there is good money
in recruitment, but the
fees are generally under
guarantee, which means
that if the recruit leaves or
doesnt work out in the rst
year, fees are refunded or
another must be found at
the recruiters cost.
fyi
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years! Plus you need some banking security specialists and a few
others with experience in the specialised applications that pull data
out of the banks old systems and display it in HTML.
You will need recruiters who understand your requirements, the jargon,
the required skill-set and the background of the likely candidates, and
who can place the advertisements, organise the interviews, and send
you a shortlist of programmers from which to choose. The recruiter
will have to understand something about the software you want to use
certainly not the same kind of detail that a programmer needs, but
what to look for in a candidate as well as knowing where to look for
candidates and how to describe the requirements. And in a specialist
area, this amounts to a lot of knowledge.
And that is how recruiters make their money.
Large companies, organisations and government departments employ
IT staff as required, because they are growing or because of staff
turnover. Some may have specic programs for recruiting juniors at
xed times of the year.
Less formal employment processes are just as rigorous and
competitive for job seekers as the more formal ones.
Job advertisements for IT workers appear in all the usual places such
as local and national newspapers and of course, online, on a regular
basis. Bulletin boards are also useful.
Networking
A great number of jobs are found through the hidden job market
through colleagues, friends, co-workers, people you have worked
with before, and so on. It is not uncommon for an employer to ask
around and think over people they know before they start the arduous
process of formal recruitment. They might ask the question at a
meeting: know anyone who does X? Hey, were looking for someone
who can manage the database for George. They have to know a bit of
SQL ... and so on.
Besides, most people are happy to employ someone they know or have
worked with previously. We are all comfortable dealing with friends.
Stay in touch with your university and school friends and associates.
As their careers develop, they will in turn develop their own networks
of opportunity and inuence.
Many IT jobs are performed
by contractors. See What are
the job opportunities? in The
big picture.
fyi
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Work colleagues become friends, and they can provide
opportunities. If I look at my own career, I can see personal
contacts as a major factor in all my job changes.
Saul Bryan, National IT manager, Counterpoint Marketing
Another way of increasing the scope of your network is to get involved
in industry groups. There are industry groups devoted to various IT
specialities ranging from grassroots organisations, such as suburban
PC user groups, through to industry associations such as Australian
Interactive Multimedia Industry Association (AIMIA), Australian
Information Industry Association (AIIA) and the Australian Computer
Society. There are also special interest groups and user groups devoted
to popular computer platforms and application types. They all hold
regular meetings, business breakfasts and briengs which provide the
opportunity of meeting other users and like-minded individuals.
Graduate programs
Corporate graduate programs are a recognised pathway into
corporate careers. Their purpose is to place promising graduates into
organisational roles which employ their skills and attributes while
training them in corporate and business culture. Quite often graduate
appointments are rotated through a number of different departments
and positions in order to provide for an all-round understanding of
the business. Positions in graduate programs are hotly contested and
applications should be carefully prepared.
We have a very successful program. It was developed in
2000 and we now have quite a mature model whereby our
graduates have an opportunity to rotate to various parts of
the organisation whilst they are on the two-year program. The
programs success is also due to the support that we receive
from the IT executive team.
We recruit around 1000 people just within IT each year. There
is a formalised process in place to ensure that it is a fair and
equitable way of recruiting graduates into the organisation.
The process involves applicants completing an initial application
(graduates should meet minimum academic criteria), online
testing and then attendance at assessment centres.
Janice Ma, IT graduate manager, Westpac
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126
The ANZ Graduate Intake Program is a good example of how these
work. The program receives anything up to 9000 applications each
year (undergraduate and postgraduate students), for positions
which number about 200 for the 2006 intake. Positions range across
the business from banking to accounting to IT in locations around
Australia and New Zealand. ANZ has an online matchmaker program
which allows you to enter your discipline, location and desired type of
career and then provides options in response.
People from all kinds of backgrounds are considered. We take
into account sporting and extra-curricular achievements, as well
as academic record.
Kate Nash, ANZ graduate recruitment program
The bank employs a wide range of staff in technology disciplines,
including business analysts, system architects, programmers, web
developers, security specialists and many more. ANZ recruits IT staff
through a number of HR companies including TMP Hudson, Diversiti,
and Robert Walters.
ANZ is just one of many companies, government agencies, and
corporates that have graduate recruitment programs. In general,
recruiters are looking for well-rounded graduates who can
demonstrate maturity and achievement in many facets of their life,
although in the case of aspiring IT professionals, qualications in the
relevant discipline are expected.
Microsoft has two branches to its graduate recruitment program:
Internships and the Microsoft Academy for College Hires (MACH).
The Microsoft Intern Program is a 12-month program. Interns are
not rostered through different business groups or roles they take
on a full-time role in the same team for the entire year. At the end
of the 12-month program Microsoft does not guarantee full-time
employment, although interns are considered for any suitable
opportunities that may arise. Many interns ultimately move out into
the industry after the year with Microsoft and gain experience with
Microsoft partners and customers.
MACH is an accelerated career development program designed
to recruit and hire high-potential new graduates from around
the world. This holistic program provides top graduates with the
practical skills and business acumen they need for active leadership
roles at Microsoft. Each year, Microsoft invites a select group of
www.computerworld.com.au
http://jobsearch.gov.au/
government/Gradlink.aspx?
fyi
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undergraduate and MBA hires with from zero to four years work
experience to participate in a two-year on-board training program.
Candidates receive supplemental MACH training and mentoring to
help them realise their full potential.
Graduate prospects
TAFE IT qualications are well-regarded, however by no means
guarantee employment. Between 2003 and 2005, post graduate
IT unemployment rates from higher-level TAFE courses such as
Certicate IV, Diploma or Advanced Diploma fell from 32% to
25%, however remaining much higher than he average which fell
from 15% to 9% in the same period.
Notwithstanding these difculties, experienced TAFE graduates
would be considered suitable candidates for many of the
positions described in the Salary Survey tables, for example
in tech support or programming, system/business analysis,
network management and project management.
Computer Science graduates experience a much greater than
average difculty in nding placement, and also that median
starting salaries actually fell from $40 000 to $38 000 between
2001 and 2004 according to a Graduate Destination Survey (GDS).
The report which details this information also points to a recent
upsurge in overseas student commencements in Australian
tertiary IT courses including the fact that in 2004 more than
half of all students commencing local IT courses were overseas
students arriving through the Skilled Migration program.
If you want more information on the Skilled Migration Program as
it relates to IT opportunities, see Bob Kinniard, The Impact of the
Skilled Migration Program on Domestic Opportunity in Information
Technology People and Place Vol 13, No 4, Monash University,
2005. Publicity given to this report has subsequently prompted a
review of the program by the Department of Immigration.
Note that there is a difference between pure IT courses such as
Computer Science and Engineering and the hybrid disciplines
offering business IT skills, such as UNSW Master of Business
Technology, which are subject to quite a separate analysis.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:127 13/3/06 2:42:35 PM
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Microsoft receives hundreds of applications for both our
internships and MACH programs. We know it can be very hard
to differentiate yourself when you are starting out in your
career as you have had little work experience. Its important to
remember that everyone has something to offer so remember
to include the things that make you stand out things like travel,
sports, hobbies, community service, awards and prociency in
languages other than English stand out in an application.
Fiona Hathaway, Recruitment manager Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft Australia
Many university careers counsellors work with representatives of the
organisations that have graduate recruitment programs and can help
you in this regard.
Government recruitment
All levels of governments regularly advertise for staff in newspapers
and/or on their own websites as well as job sites such as Seek.
Every Thursday permanent government vacancies are advertised
in what is known as the Government Gazette. Increasingly the
hard copy publication is difcult to acquire because it is available
online. You might nd a copy still at some public libraries. If a job
is not in the Gazette (online and printed version), then it does not
exist. Government departments and agencies tend to have their
own recruitment processes which vary slightly from department to
department. Its important to contact the human resources section of
the department to nd out exactly whats required and what they want
in the application.
Online recruitment
An increasing majority of IT jobs are advertised and recruited online.
The three main players Seek, MyCareer and CareerOne all have
considerable resources on their websites including rsum tips,
recruiter proles, job application tracking, keyword searching and more.
While it is a numbers game it might take a lot of applications to
start getting calls back it is important not to indiscriminately re off
applications to every conceivable agency and vacancy. You want to get
noticed, but not as a nuisance.
Instead, apply for jobs which you genuinely believe you could get.
Spend a few minutes tailoring your rsum, and keep track of your
applications online.
www.seek.com.au
www.michaelpage.com.au
www.hays.com.au
www.jobsearch.gov.au
www.jobs.wa.gov.au
Sydney .NET User Group
www.ssw.com.au
AIMIA
www.aimia.com.au
AIIA
www.aiia.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au
www.careerone.com.au
f i nd out
more
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If you are called in for an interview on spec, ask the recruiter if there is
a copy of the advertisement you can look at. Agencies will sometimes
call people in just to put enough numbers on a short list, so make sure
you think you match the job.
The online application process
in the esh
Several years ago, the author went to an IT jobs expo that was
held at the Sydney Town Hall. I got there around lunchtime and,
as I had pre-booked online, squeezed past the big queue of
people winding down the stairs onto George Street. But then I
found out that the Big Queue of People Winding Down the Stairs
had also booked online, so I had to go and stand in the queue for
40 minutes or so, just to get in.
I got in. Place was packed. There were all of these exhibition
stands with the names of the recruiters that you see on Seek and
MyCareer around the perimeter of the Town Hall: Hays, Hudson
and the rest. Between me and every one of them, there were
rows of people, all waiting to speak to the recruiters behind the
desks. It was hard to move in there, it was like the sample-bag
pavilion at the Easter Show.
Suddenly it dawned on me this is what the online job market
looks like in real life, in three dimensions. Normally, while youre
sitting alone at your desk, uploading job applications, you
have no feeling for how many others are doing the same thing.
Here, at the IT jobs expo, it was graphically illustrated. There
was a sea of people here, wanting to get on board, in a room so
crowded you could barely move. When you made it to the head
of the queue, you might have a couple of minutes with a harried
recruiter before s/he said Next.
Welcome to the real world :)
What are recruiters looking for?
Companies that recruit IT professionals are looking for a combination
of skills, experience and attitude. As the IT market has matured, there
has been a shift away from emphasis on skills-only and towards skills-
with-experience-and-attitude.
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According to the recruiters we interviewed for this book, to work in IT
you will need:
skills that are in demand; this encompasses a wide range but keep
an eye on what the market is looking for
proof of your ability to work with a team
communications skills able to understand and respond to
client requests
a professional attitude to your work which appears as punctuality,
politeness, appearance and thoroughness.
Meet some recruiters
Lets have a closer look at what some recruiters are after when theyre
selecting IT personnel for their clients. An understanding of what
recruiters are looking for will help you plan your education and skills
acquisition.
We interviewed two IT recruiters:
Melissa Tuckwell HiTech Recruitment
Daniel Buckley Hays IT Recruitment.
Melissa Tuckwell HiTech recruiter
HiTech is a recruitment company specialising in recruiting in the
IT, ofce support, nance and healthcare sectors. It was created
specically to address the gap the founder perceived between IT job
requirements and common recruitment processes. Technical staff may
specify a position title and assume knowledge that human resources
staff and managers do not have, company founder and CEO Ray
Hazouri says. What we do is home in on those assumptions. HiTech
even helps some clients write job specications where necessary.
With experience in the graduate market, Melissa is well placed to
discuss IT graduate recruitment.
q&a
Do you place many graduates?
Its not a great number but we work regularly with graduates.
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What are you looking for in IT graduates?
Well, obviously the rsum is very important. It should have details on
the kinds of projects they have worked on as well as academic results.
Personal interests are also important as it helps to fill out the picture
of the candidate.
What are some dos and donts for graduates?
Presentation and punctuality are very important, the same as for any
other candidate. You cant dress like you do for university when youre
in the business world! Graduates also need to communicate with
confidence. I suppose it may be due to inexperience, but it is often
difficult to get them to talk.
Daniel Buckley Hays IT Recruitment
Hays IT is part of Australasias largest group of specialist recruitment
consultancies. Hays operates in 105 branches at 28 locations
throughout Australia and New Zealand, employs over 7000 temporary
staff every week, places over 12 000 people in a year. The business
has a turnover of $500 million each year.
q&a
What is the most important advice you have for IT graduates?
I would say dont try and get into contracting without some real
experience behind you first. This is the kind of experience you get with
a full-time graduate position.
Graduate positions provide a lot of experience in terms of understanding
company etiquette, how to work in a business, and how to get along with
people, which you wont necessarily get through academic experience.
Contractors, on the other hand, are expected to be seasoned operators
who can adapt quickly to a situation and fulfil a particular role often
without much time to prepare. So even though there may be contract
positions for which you have the skills, youre better off getting some
full-time experience first. Graduates often dont have the general
business experience to work without supervision, assess the situation
and produce the outcome, even if they have the technical skills.
What do you think of the overall IT job market for graduates
currently?
I think it is pretty positive. There is good underlying demand and
things have really picked up in the last 18 months, compared to
what it was like in the tech wreck 3 to 5 years ago. Companies have
learned from those experiences and are acting cautiously, but the
overall trend is definitely positive. Salaries are steady or growing
modestly, while not spiralling like they were in the late 90s. So overall
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:131 13/3/06 2:42:36 PM
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I think the IT employment environment is healthy.
What are the hot jobs and trends, in your opinion?
Id say .NET (Microsofts Web Services environment) is getting very
big. Were seeing a lot of demand there. Theres a lot of demand for
C# (a Microsoft programming language) as well. Web-based services
of many kinds are actually getting really big now, as distinct from the
late 90s when everyone was talking about them but nothing was really
happening yet. They are moving from being leading-edge to mainstream.
Stand out from the crowd
Now that you are familiar with the recruitment process and what
the managers in IT are looking for, it is time to focus on the actual
application so that you can stand out from the many others you will be
competing against for that job.
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Create an outstanding application
There are two or three major components of a job application whether
you submit online, by email, or by the traditional but disappearing
snail mail. These are:
the rsum
the cover letter
responses to selection criteria.
The response to selection criteria is something that is very important
if applying for government jobs. It has a very specic structure that, if
you get it right, can make the difference between getting an interview
or not.
A good application describes in a clear and concise way an applicants
experience and qualications. An employers rst impression of a
candidate is through their rsum and there is no doubt that it counts,
so lets start with what is involved in the all-important rsum.
The rsum
It is important to get your rsum right. It doesnt have to be too long
or too detailed, but it does have to be formatted well, and show your
experience, abilities and qualications.
www.seek.com.au
www.mycareer.com.au/
advice-research
www.michaelpage.com.au
www.hays.com.au/career/
resume.asp
f i nd out
more
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:133 13/3/06 2:42:37 PM
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The following rsum example shows a very simple one-page format.
You can see a full-size version of this rsum in Appendix 6.
Often resumes also include two referees. Referees are often people
in positions of authority who can vouch for your good character and
work practices. Always ask permission before including a referee. This
courtesy also prepares the person in case a prospective employer
calls for a reference check without notifying you.
You might have several rsum versions to match your main and back-
up job plans.
It is important to link your abilities with things you have accomplished.
Employers want to see evidence that your knowledge and certications
have been validated in employment situations. It is not necessary to
exaggerate your abilities, just to show how in various employment
situations, you accomplished your tasks, aims and objectives.
Your name and
contact details
a brief statement of
your career goals
use clear active language
with verbs like managed,
negtiated, created
if you have a
professional
website, include it
in your rsum
your qualications
your employment
history with brief job
description for each
role begin with your
most recent role and
work backwards
Terry Sample
121 Lyons Crescent
Age:
[optional]
Matraville NSW 2412
Date of Birth: [optional]
Daytime Tel: 02 9561 4564
Nationality: [optional]
Evening Tel: 02 9564 2564
Email: t.sample@email.com
PERSONAL PROFI LE
Quali ed and experienced business analyst with experience in nancial services, healthcare, and
manufacturing sectors. Solid career professional with demonstrable track record of success in major IT
project implementations for a variety of organisations across a number of environments.
SKI LLS
Skills in working with programmers in various environments including COBOL, Fortran and more
recently J2EE and related. Knowledge of RDBMS, Oracle Financials and related technologies.
Knowledge of client-server technologies, network management and nancial IT practices.
Knowledgable about accounting practices and terminology, unit trusts, superannuation legislation,
Financial Services Reform Act and related issues.
CAREER HI STORY
Senior business analyst, Clover Financial Services, Sydney
April 2002 Current
Senior business analyst involved in a variety of projects transitioning from multiple Unix-based
environments to a single Windows-based client-server suite. Tasks involve creation of functional
speci cations, business requirements analysis, owcharts and process maps. Liaise with technical
leads and programmers and with business stakeholders across the three main divisions of the business.
Major achievements: all project milestones completed ahead of schedule, roll-outs all went on time or
ahead of time. Low error rates and high levels of user uptake.
Business analyst, Mercury Health Services, Liverpool
October 1999 March 2002
Developed original Business Process Guides for a suite of medical insurance products; adapting
system from use in Canada and the United States for Australian conditions. This required extensive
analysis of the Australian Healthcare Insurance Commission requirements and speci cations and re-
writing of health insurance product de nitions and parameters.
[...etc]
EDUCATI ON AND QUALI FI CATI ONS
Educated at Sydney Grammar School
BSc Comp Eng, UNSW 1997
Grad Diploma Financial IT, UTS 2005
1
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Dont ever lie about your experience, certications or qualications.
By all means accentuate the positive and minimise the negative, put a
positive spin on your achievements, but be straight about it.
Finally, dont try tricks to draw attention to your application. Flash
animations and ornate web-based rsums are not usually differentiators,
unless youre applying for a ash animator or web-design role.
Tips: Rsum writing
Spend time working on the layout, sentence structure
and content of your rsum as a well-presented
rsum can boost your chances of getting the job.
Be truthful and do not plagiarise anyones work.
Unless an advertisement states that training will be
provided, it is taken for granted by a prospective
employer that you have the skills.
Keep your rsum to two or three pages (standard).
If a company you have worked for may not be well
known, include a sentence to explain who they are
and what they do.
Consider using a professional rsum-writing service.
Write each rsum to t the job that you are going
for.
Keep the master rsum as an electronic le and
update regularly.
Keep copies of each individualised rsum for
referencing when applying for similar jobs.
Learn to use white space dont overcrowd the pages.
Do not send a rsum that has not been carefully
proofread or waste employers time by applying for
positions in the profession that require essential
skills and competencies that you do not have.
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:135 13/3/06 2:42:37 PM
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The cover letter
A job advertisement will usually have a list of requirements. The rst
thing the recruiter will do is sort applications that match the list with
those that dont. Your application might get two seconds a quick
glance will reveal whether it matches the specication or not. If it does
match, at least you will go into the TBC list.
This emphasises the importance of the cover letter. The cover letter
should be brief about two or three paragraphs succinct, and it
must address the requirements of the position. Remember, it is about
your suitability for the job, not just why you want the job.
Terry Sample
121 Lyons Crescent
Matraville NSW 2412
Even Tel: 02 9564 2564
Email t.sample@email.com
6 January 2006
Mr Mark Smith
Senior Consultant
ABC Recruitment Solutions
242 George St Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Mr Smith
Re: Business Analyst Financial Services Company
I write in response to your advertisement for this position in yesterdays
Sydney Morning Herald. I wish to apply because the role represents an ideal
next step in my career, and because I believe I am an excellent candidate, as
my attached resume will demonstrate.
I am currently employed in a similar position by Clover Financial Services
however I wish to move to a larger organisation in order to make use of
the skills I have acquired in my three years at Clover and from my recent
completion of a postgraduate degree in Financial Analysis.
I have extensive experience with business analysis in both superannuation
and mortgage products, as well as a proven track record with Crystal
Reports implementation. I have been responsible for generating functional
specications and requirements analysis over the last three years as well as
having similar experience in earlier roles. I am a dedicated team player who
enjoys the company and support of my peers while being able to manage my
priorities and work with minimal supervision.
Most of all, I am a committed professional with the skills and attributes the
job requires, and a strong determination to achieve an excellent outcome for
my employer.
Yours sincerely
Terry Sample
Employers name,
position, company
and address
Your contact
details
Date
Position and
reference number
for the position
Your skills,
experience and
personal attributes
that make you
suitable for the job
Closing statement
Sign your letter
You can see a full-size verson of this cover letter in Appendix 7.
Make sure that you write a different cover letter for each job that you
apply for. It needs to specically address the particular requirements
of that job. To churn out the same cover letter for a number of jobs
shows a lack of interest that potential employers will not appreciate.
glossary
TBC means:
to be contacted
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:136 13/3/06 2:42:38 PM
Click here for more FREE industry-specific
sample resumes and cover letters from Career FAQs
137
Ready, set,
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Tips: The cover letter
Write the letter to suit the job and the employer.
Standardise the formatting and keep fonts and
headings consistent with your rsum.
Vary the sentence structure. Dont start every sentence
with I.
Be succinct one A4 page well spaced and no more.
Get someone else to proofread the letter and suggest
improvements.
Selection criteria
Having a list of selection criteria helps the employer select the most
suitable person for the job because in responding to them, applicants
show how their previous work or experiences meet the requirements
of the job.
Who uses selection criteria?
Most government departments and some private-sector organisations
want information addressing selection criteria, in addition to the rsum
and cover letter in the application. Applicants must demonstrate and
prove that they have the qualications and experience, as outlined in
the selection criteria, to advance to interview.
Addressing the selection criteria adequately can be the most
important part of your application for government jobs. This needs to
be done in a separate document to your rsum and cover letter and
may be titled claim for the position.
For the recruiting organisation, selection criteria standardise the
recruitment process by providing an objective measure of the
essential and desirable requirements for the role, thus reducing the
role of bias in selection decisions while putting the selection process
on a more scientic basis.
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Where can I nd them?
You can nd out the particular requirements of government jobs in
the application package which is available from the contact person
or on the website. The application package usually outlines how the
selection criteria should be answered. Find out if there is a maximum
length. Some departments do not want any more than a page per
criterion; others do not have any limit. While remembering that most
employers are looking for concise applications, one candidate for a
government job wrote 40 pages when responding to the selection
criteria for the position and got the job!
Remember, for any job it is vital to address all the selection criteria as
this is one of the major ways employers select interview candidates.
For private sector jobs, the selection criteria can be addressed in
the rsum and the cover letter. For government jobs, a separate
document needs to be included as part of your application.
How do I respond?
If requested, the selection criteria document needs to be a separate
component of your application. Make sure your name is on the
document and that it has a name such as:
statement addressing selection criteria
selection criteria summary or
responses to selection criteria.
Each criterion should have a number and the exact wording from the
application package. The following statement addressing selection
criteria is an example of what might be required for a human resource
ofcer position.
Many well-written responses follow what is known as the star
method of response. For each selection criterion, make a general
statement about your ability to meet the criterion then focus on an
example that has star elements.
Situation Task Action Result.
Make sure that the name you
assign your selection criteria
document is the same name
you use when referring to it in
your cover letter or rsum.
fyi
For most private
organisations, the selection
criteria for the job can be
addressed in the cover
letter and rsum. Check
with the company to nd
out their preference.
fyi
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Here are two examples of the STAR response.
4. Excellent written communication skills
In my current position I have demonstrated a high level of written communication
skills in a range of documents, including:
Correspondence
Reports to management
Documentation of conguration procedures
Induction handouts for new staff
Guide to PC use
I add that in preparing documents I ensure that all written communication (both
internal and external) conforms to in-house style guidelines and is appropriate to
the intended audience.
The Guide to PC Use demonstrates my writing abilities. I was responsible for
producing the guide, which was designed to help staff with general computer
problems thus taking pressure off the help desk. Preparation of the guide
involved rewriting technical information to suit a general audience.
Management and staff welcomed the information in the guide and calls to the
help desk dropped by 20 per cent. The guide was later distributed to staff in all
AsiaPacic ofces.
5. Experience working as part of a team
I have worked in teams of three to 20. I was chairperson of the Neighbourhood
Environment Committee which had 10 representatives from business, government
and the community. The objective was to organise a clean-up day that would clean
up the streets, raise awareness and raise money for a charity for homeless people. We
signed up 100 volunteers who were assigned either clean-up work or community
awareness responsibilities. These objectives were achieved and $3000 raised for the
charity. Since then, it has become an annual event that has attracted more and more
volunteer participation. Last year, over 500 took part in the event.
My involvement on this committee is evidence of my ability to work well with
others. I enjoy a good rapport with team members and often volunteer for other
teams to help them meet deadlines.
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Note that the second response is not IT-specic. A new graduate
may not have experience working with a team although working in a
team of fellow IT students would count. This response not only shows
an ability to work in a team, but it also shows that the person has a
social conscience and is willing to give time to worthwhile community
pursuits.
Tips: Selection criteria
Be honest do not make unsupported claims.
Make sure you understand the key phrases such as
experience in and knowledge of.
Give tangible examples of your claim (think STAR).
Make sure the examples are relevant.
Use active verbs and address all parts of the
selection criterion.
Check to nd out the maximum length for each.
Use bullet (dot) points to show your ability to write
concisely and clearly.
Use language that is relevant to the position but avoid
excessive use of jargon.
Proofread your work carefully.
Get someone else to proofread it as well.
A nal word on your job application
You may know already from your research or experience that job
advertisements often state that only short-listed applicants will be
contacted and many applicants never receive a response. You will
sometimes get a nicely worded email saying something along the lines
of even though we were impressed by your capabilities unfortunately
another candidate with skills and qualications more closely matching
the position was selected ... . But dont be discouraged. Persistence
and determination will win out. Keep trying. The right job is out there
waiting for you.
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go f or i t!
How can I stand out at the interview?
If you are well-dressed, punctual, polite, and condent at the
interview, you will already be ahead of many applicants!
Try to develop rapport with the interviewer by looking him or her in
the eye, listening carefully, not interrupting and ensuring you address
the task at hand (which may be different from your stream of thought
or from what you had expected).
It is very off-putting to speak to someone who appears absent-minded
or preoccupied. If the person interviewing you appears like this and
it happens there is not much you can do; but ensure that you are not
like it! Always be very present in an interview, give the interviewer
your best attention, and concentrate on the situation at hand.
Dont be pushy, but do be condent. There is a ne line between the
two: gure out where it is and dont cross it. On the other hand, dont
be servile, but do be courteous. In other words, dont bow and scrape
but treat the interview as a privilege and an opportunity.
Politeness is a must always consider the other persons viewpoint
and whether you are making them comfortable. It is often said that
standards of courtesy have slipped in the modern world; be that as it
may, courtesy is extremely important in job interviews as indeed in all
of your professional life.
Also never diminish your current or previous employer. You might
have been treated badly by them but this is not information to share
with your prospective employer. You dont have to sing their praises,
but dont undermine them, criticise them or bring them down as it
suggests disloyalty and lack of discretion. Its a big turn-off.
The three Ps of interviewing
The three Ps for a successful interview are:
preparation
presentation
performance.
If you are unsuccessful
at getting the job, dont
see it as a setback, but
an opportunity to call the
organisation and ask for
some feedback. This can be
helpful when you lodge your
next job application.
fyi
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Preparation
Good preparation helps ensure a successful interview. Research
the company: its size, sector and history and any other specic
characteristics. Get to know the key positions and the names of people
in them. This is much easier that it used to be thanks to the Internet.
If you know people working for the company, talk to them about
the company and their experiences. Use any contacts that you may
have. It is important to go into the interview fully conversant with the
companys product, its values and business culture. Use your research
to differentiate yourself from the other job applicants.
Think through what the job might entail and be prepared to answer
questions which show your experience and knowledge match the
requirements. Be aware of the types of questions they are going
to ask, just as they should have a good understanding of what is
required in the position being offered.
Presentation
Show that you are inquisitive. Ask intelligent questions to explore
information about the company. This can help sell you into the role
and gives you a chance to nd out more about the role and to make
sure that this really is the job you want.
Its important that you come across as personable and interested in the
job. Its okay if youre nervous but try to focus on your strengths and
what you want to say rather than on your nervousness. Employers want
to know who you are just as much as they want to know your skills.
Presentation is also about how you look. You need to dress
appropriately and be well groomed. Wear simple, tailored work
clothes. Make sure your hair is washed and neat. Be aware of body
posture and your voice. Sit comfortably, but do not slouch. Speak
clearly. Make eye contact. Dont forget to breathe!
If you are using a computer for the presentation, make sure there is
enough battery. Anything you present as part of your interview must
add to your presentation, not detract from it. If it is not relevant, dont
present it.
Performance
Performance is all about making an impression. It is also about
knowing what the employer wants in your responses. This is where an
understanding of interview techniques will help you to shine.
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143
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
Interview techniques, like everything else, change with time according
to the latest trend. Behavioural interviewing is currently a commonly-
used interview technique. It follows the assumption that past
behaviour is a good predictor of future behaviour.
Behavioural questions encourage you to focus on your particular
abilities by offering examples of how you handled a particular
situation in a previous position. Tell me how you deal with conict
between co-workers. Tell me how you have solved a difcult
programming problem in your time as a games programmer with X.
Again, reect on your career experience and be sure you give a good
account of your experiences.
Employers arent necessarily looking for positive experiences they
also want to know what you did when things went wrong. They are
looking for you to give honest answers and to have an ability to
see when things have gone wrong, to problem solve and learn from
mistakes. Past mistakes arent always a black mark if you can show
that you have learnt from them.
If you dont feel on top of behavioural-based interviewing, do some
research and practise your examples. Its worth asking someone with
behavioural interviewing experience to practise with you.
The simple things are also important in an interview situation: a good
handshake, eye contact, posture and a warm smile. The rst moments
of an interview can make the biggest impression.
The way you project your personality is also crucial for a successful
interview. It is not always what you say but the way you say it.
Condence is paramount but you shouldnt be overly condent and
certainly not cocky or arrogant.
You may also have to deal with difcult questions. Interviewers will
sometimes try and throw you questions to unsettle you or test your
mettle. Sometimes it is aimed at nding something out; sometimes
they are plain mischievous. You frequently get asked what are your
weaknesses? Good answers include:
I tend to be overly conscientious.
I worry too much about my work.
I take everything too seriously.
Turn what seems like a negative (weakness) to a discussion of
a positive.
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144
When youre answering questions, answer with the end in mind.
Focus on the person, situation and requirements. If you get asked
to talk about yourself, keep it reasonably brief and bear in mind
what you are there for. Dont succumb to the temptation of talking at
length about yourself.
Think about what sort of questions may be asked and work out what
you might say. Here are some examples.
Why did you leave your previous job?
I wanted a new challenge and a job with more responsibility.
What do you think your strengths and weaknesses are?
I learn quickly, Im good with people, and I enjoy taking the initiative.
My weakness is that I nd it difcult to say no if people give me too
much work to do.
Be prepared for the following questions.
Why do you want to work for [company]?
Where do you see yourself in ve years time?
What can you in particular do for [company]?
What are your salary expectations?
With regard to salary, be familiar with the salary range for the kind of role
youre seeking, but aim at the higher end: it communicates condence.
To recap, here are some basic strategies to help you successfully
negotiate the interview and come out the preferred candidate.
Research visit the employers website and make note of some details
about the company. Prepare a list of questions to ask during the
interview such as questions about the team you will be joining and
projects you could be working on.
Rehearse nd someone to help you practise answering possible
questions to help overcome any pre-interview worries. This also
enables you to organise your thoughts and think about what you
would like to say in the interview.
Revise make a checklist of all the documents you will need to
bring to the interview, the names and titles of the people you will be
meeting with, and most importantly make sure you know the date,
time and location of the interview.
Vipassana meditation helps
emotional equilibrium.
www.dhamma.org
f i nd out
more
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145
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
Retain self-condence leave some time before to relax before the
interview and make sure you are friendly and calm, no matter how
nervous or worried you may feel. Take care with your appearance
and avoid visual distractions such as overpowering fragrances, heavy
make-up or loud ties.
Respond make sure you dont interrupt anyone and keep answers
short, relevant and to the point. Maintain good eye contact and avoid
looking at the oor.
Top ten DOs
1 Maintain a positive and condent attitude.
2 Make sure you are well dressed.
3 Listen carefully to questions and instructions.
4 Highlight what benets you can bring to the company.
5 Use your own real experiences to answer questions.
6 Show passion and enthusiasm for the position.
7 Make sure you promote your strengths and sell yourself.
8 Let the employer know you have a clear career plan.
9 Have an understanding of the job and what will be
expected of you.
10 Have a list of prepared questions to ask about the
company and the position.
Top ten DONTs
1 Dont arrive late to the interview.
2 Dont mutter or use too many umms and ahhs.
3 Never leave your mobile phone or other electronic
devices on.
4 Dont exaggerate your previous experiences or skills.
5 Never arrive unprepared with no knowledge of the company.
6 Avoid talking about negative experiences you have had.
7 Dont act bored or uninterested.
8 Avoid answering questions with vague or confusing answers.
9 Dont be unprofessional or impolite.
10 Dont dget or show how nervous you are.
The MAPP service is
available at
www.assessment.com
f i nd out
more
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146
Dealing with disappointment
The job scene can be emotionally tough. If you see a job you would
really like and pin your hopes on it, the sense of rejection if your
application is not successful can be overwhelming. This is especially
so if youve been short-listed and interviewed and it seems to be
going well. It is easy to start thinking about what it will be like having
this job, what you will do when you have it even to the point where
you put your other applications on the back burner. Then the call
comes in and you nd out it went to someone else.
You have to be very mindful at this point. The reaction which follows
disappointment of this kind and employment-related stress is a
major cause of anxiety can be very disturbing. You can get quite
depressed and start to doubt your abilities and get caught up in a lot
of negative self-talk.
Realise that this distress is a natural reaction and that it is not actually
about you. You need to develop the capacity to allow anxiety to
happen without being too overcome by it or by overly identifying with
it. Remember, it will pass.
What can I do right now?
There are opportunities and possibilities aplenty in IT, but it is also
very competitive, not only with local job-seekers jostling for a place at
the table, but with global factors, such as off-shoring and outsourcing,
and the inux of skilled migrant workers.
Here are a few things you can do right now to get a step ahead.
Do your research
IT is a eld that is constantly changing. Keeping up is demanding but
it can also be fun. Youre presumably in IT because you like it: keep a
lively interest quite apart from your career aspirations.
No-one can ever complain about lack of information, or other
resources, in this game. The free software that is out there is, simply,
fabulously mind-blowing. Dont be blas about it. Use your time to
experiment, play, create things, mess about. One of the great things
about personal computer technology is that it was created by very
creative people and is not a linear, straight-line technology.
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147
Ready, set,
go f or i t!
This fundamental but often-neglected advice is particularly important
for those considering a career in IT. Why? We are dealing with
the newest profession in a modern society. While it does have its
traditions and established practices, IT is extraordinarily uid and
dynamic compared to traditional occupations. So its no longer
the case of following the family tradition. You may be taking up an
occupation that no-one has done before, let alone your family!
Get a grip
Get a rm grip on which of the many aspects of IT occupations your
particular strengths will equip you for. Consult vocational advisers at
school or university. Be honest about your capabilities and learn to be
self-critical without being negative (this is a tough balancing act!).
There are some valuable web-based services that can help with this.
Have a look at the Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP)
service. You can take a test on this site for free, and the subscription
version, which is much more detailed, is not expensive.
Be exible
While you might have to specialise, it is good to have several
strings to your bow. If youre considering a career in programming,
network and database administration may be good back-ups. If
youre a technical writer, being able to turn your hand to copywriting
or e-learning would be useful. Dont be too precious about your
particular patch of territory; the market can be very ckle and the right
combinations of skills for being in demand can be hard to predict.
Expand your horizons
Finally, look for IT specialisations in association with other career
choices. As IT continues to expand and enable various kinds of
industry and occupation, so too will it open opportunities for talented
professionals to become IT specialists in a chosen eld. Financial IT
is already emerging as a vast subdiscipline with its own realms of
knowledge and professional practice, and no doubt this trend will
continue to grow in other professions and skills as well.
The MAPP service is
available at
www.assessment.com
f i nd out
more
detour
Find out about some other
careers that may interest
you. Go to the Career FAQs
website and check out the
list of titles.
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Buzz words
Buzz words
ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics
ACS Australian Computer Society
AIIA Australian Information Industry Association
AIMIA Australian Multimedia Industry Association
APESMA Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists
and Managers, Australia
API Application programming interface
APS Australian Public Service
ASIC Australian Securities and Investments Commission,
a body that regulates companies and nance
in Australia
ATO Australian Tax Ofce
AusCERT Australian Computer Emergency Response Team
Australian Public
Service Gazette
a publication that includes jobs for all government
departments and agencies
AWA Australian Workplace Agreement, an individually
written agreement between an employer and
employee covering the employers salary package
and other conditions of employment.
B2B an abbreviation of Business to Business, referring to
the exchange of products, services or information
between businesses
bellwether the sheep with the bell around its neck. A bellwether
company shows where all the others are heading
BIS Business Information Systems programs seek
to combine a rigorous IT training program with
training in business skills, with the aim of turning out
rounded graduates
BSC British Computer Society, the industry body for IT
in the UK.
C++ a programming language
C# a programming language
CCIE Cisco Certied Internetworking Expert
CERN the Conseil Europeen pour la Recherch Nucleare,
the European research lab where the Web was born
CompTIA Computer Technology Industry Association
consultancy a business that offers its specialist services and
expertise for hire
CPOC customer proof of concept lab
CRM customer relationship management
CSO computer systems ofcer
DBA database analyst
ERP enterprise resource planning
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150
FMCG fast moving consumer goods, that is, frequently
purchased consumer products such as food
brands, beverages, toiletries and tobacco
GIS geographic information systems software
GUI graphical user interface
hybrid degrees degrees in all kinds of schools and disciplines, with
an IT focus
ICT information and communications technology
IP an Internet protocol
ITCRA IT Contract and Recruitment Association
ITIL IT Infrastructure Library is an IT credential in demand
in the government-sector.
J2EE Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition, an environment
for developing and deploying web-based enterprise
applications online. It supports HTML and Java
Applets and Applications.
Java a programming language with a Standard Edition
(J2SE), Enterprise Edition (J2EE) and Micro Edition
(J2ME)
IPX short for Internetwork Packet Exchange, a
networking protocol
MACH Microsoft Academy for College Hires
mainframe a powerful computer that can support many users
connected via terminals simultaneously
MAPP Motivational appraisal of personal potential
MCAD Microsoft Certied Application Developer
MCAP Microsoft Certied Architect Program
MCDBA Microsoft Certied Database Administrator
MCDST Microsoft Certied Desktop Support Technician
MCSA Microsoft Certied Systems Administrator
MCSD Microsoft Certied Solution Developer
MCSE Microsoft Certied System Engineer
MCT Microsoft Certied Trainer
MOS Microsoft Ofce Specialist
network computing concentrates on network architecture, conguration,
maintenance and troubleshooting
PDA a personal digital assistant is a portable appliance
with features such as calendar, address book,
alarm clock and reminder features
PMI Project Management Institute
production system a live database with real customer data in it
R/3 database
administration
well-known integrated suite of applications
from SAP
RDBMS relational database management systems
SE system engineer
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151
Buzz words
SIBT Sydney Institute of Business Technology provides
alternative entry stream into IT studies at Macquarie
University
SIGS special interest groups
skill share the short-term movement of staff between different
government agencies during a skills shortage.
SME a small to medium enterprise is a company that
employs fewer than 500 people
SMS short message service
SP service provider
SQL a language that provides an interface to relational
database systems
TBC to be contacted
TCP/IP a collection of protocols that dene the basic
workings of the Internet
telco telecommunications provider
telematics vehicle safety and security systems, in-car
information systems, and the like
VB A programming language
VoIP Voice over IP uses the Internet as a global
telephone network
VPN virtual private network providing secure logins for
remote staff
Y2K Year 2000. Refers to the suspected computer bug
that would crash computer systems worldwide at
the start of the millennium
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153
Appendi xes
Appendix 1
Comparative starting salaries of various
professions
Bachelor degree
In full-time
employment (%)
Seeking full-time
employment, not
working (%)
Seeking full-time
employment,
working part-time
or casual (%)
Further
full-time study
(%)
Median starting
salary ($000)
Agriculture 80.3 6.7 13.0 19.4 37.0
Architecture** 86.7 6.5 6.7 29.8 31.5
Building 91.0 4.5 4.5 25.0 35.0
Urb & reg planning 91.0 3.0 6.0 20.3 41.0
Humanities 70.7 11.1 18.2 34.4 35.0
Languages 74.9 8.3 16.8 40.2 40.0
Vis/perf arts 60.3 13.2 26.5 32.7 32.0
Social sciences 67.2 11.2 21.5 34.2 38.3
Psychology 70.5 10.8 18.7 44.2 38.5
Social work 80.2 7.6 12.2 8.1 40.0
Business studies 81.1 6.9 12.1 15.4 37.0
Accounting 86.9 6.7 6.4 11.1 35.5
Economics 86.1 7.3 6.6 32.1 41.0
Education 77.9 3.8 18.3 6.4 43.0
Education, post/other 84.3 3.6 12.0 34.7 39.5
Aeronautical eng 89.1 5.8 5.1 17.1 45.0
Chemical eng 83.1 9.6 7.3 18.9 45.7
Civil engineering 95.7 3.0 1.3 6.3 43.0
Electrical eng 87.3 8.6 4.0 13.2 45.0
Elect/Comp eng 78.3 11.7 10.0 14.0 43.0
Mechanical eng 89.5 4.8 5.8 9.4 44.0
Mining engineering 98.8 1.2 0.0 7.5 63.0
Other engineering 86.9 7.7 5.4 17.7 44.0
Surveying 95.4 2.0 2.6 11.5 40.0
Dentistry 95.0 0.8 4.1 10.2 65.0
Health, other 81.9 4.3 13.8 26.6 40.0
Nursing, initial 96.2 1.0 2.8 5.3 38.0
Nursing, post-initial 94.0 1.3 4.6 4.2 38.0
Pharmacy** 98.7 0.9 0.4 17.7 30.0
Medicine 98.3 0.6 1.1 13.1 48.0
Rehabilitation 90.0 3.1 6.8 13.3 41.2
Law 88.4 6.2 5.4 22.6 41.0
Law, other 84.6 6.1 9.3 17.4 38.0
Computer science 73.7 13.6 12.7 17.8 39.9
Life sciences 71.3 9.9 18.9 46.2 38.0
Mathematics 72.6 14.5 12.9 50.7 42.0
Chemistry 84.7 5.1 10.2 55.3 38.0
Physics 78.9 9.0 12.0 50.9 40.0
Geology 87.4 4.2 8.4 39.2 42.0
Veterinary science 94.0 3.6 2.4 6.7 37.0
Bachelor degree graduates: employment, further study and starting
salaries (%), 2005
* Base gure is group in full-time employment. ** Pre-registration
Reproduced with the kind permission of Graduate Careers Australia,
www.graduatecareers.com.au
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154
Appendix 2
Michael Page International salary tables
Source: Michael Page International technology salary survey, 2005, p5
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155
Appendi xes
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156
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Appendi xes
Appendix 3
About TAFE certicates and diplomas
TAFE courses are rated within the Australian Qualications
Framework (AQF). The AQF rating shows that the course adheres to
a standard governed by the Australian Quality Training Framework
(AQTF). This national framework standardises the educational level
represented with the various certicates and diplomas provided by
RTOs (Registered Training Organisations, such as TAFE colleges) and
ensures that the qualications they issue meet standards and are
recognised nationally.
Note that certicates and diplomas can be studied progressively: a
certicate level can be used to provide the basis for the next level, and
so on up to diploma level (depending on the subject).
Certicates
Certicates range from level I to IV. Certicate courses usually relate
to different levels of skills within an occupation.
Certicate I
Certicate I courses teach the foundation skills required in some
industries, and are often the stepping stone to further qualications.
Certicate II
Certicate II courses provide preparation for employment and/or
apprenticeships. They may also include traineeships with an on-the-
job component.
Certicate III
Certicate III courses teach well-developed skills in a range of
occupational areas. Certicate III courses are roughly the same level
as the former trade certicate courses offered by TAFE NSW.
Certicate IV
Certicate IV courses teach supervisory skills and advanced technical
skills which may build upon skills acquired in the workplace, a
Certicate III course or equivalent.
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Diplomas and advanced diplomas
Diplomas and advanced diplomas prepare you for work that requires
a broad range of complex technical skills and in-depth knowledge.
Diploma and advanced diploma courses often include training in
management, planning and evaluation, budgeting and nance, and
equip you with the knowledge and skills of the vocational area you
have chosen.
Graduate certicates and graduate diplomas
TAFE NSW offers graduate certicates and graduate diplomas. These
may be studied following the completion of a degree or an advanced
diploma. Graduate certicates and graduate diplomas usually include
extra training to build on your undergraduate program, or training in a
new professional area.
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Appendi xes
Appendix 4
Oracle certication
Job title Certication track guide
Database Administrator Oracle Database 10g DBA OCA
Oracle Database 10g DBA OCP
Oracle 9i DBA OCA
Oracle 9i DBA OCP
Oracle 9i DBA OCM
Special Accreditation: Managing Oracle 9i on Linux
Application Developer Oracle Forms Developer OCA
Oracle Forms Developer OCP
Internet Application Developer Rel. 6i OCP
Web Administrator Oracle Application Server 10g Administrator OCA
Oracle Application Server 10g Administrator OCP
Oracle 9i AS Web Administrator OCA
Oracle certication paths
Certication paths include:
Oracle Certied Administrator (OCA)
Oracle Certied Professional (OCP)
Oracle 9i Database Administrator Certied Master (OCM)
Oracle learning paths
Oracle organises its training material along Learning Paths
corresponding to career and job types including:
Database Administrator
Web Administrator
Java Developer
Portal Developer
Developer
Business Intelligence Developer
Data Warehouse Analyst
Data Warehouse Administrator
Functional Implementer
Technical Consultant
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Oracle product courses
Oracle training is also organised along product lines as follows:
Database
Application server
Development tools
Data warehousing and business intelligence
E-Business
Collaboration
PeopleSoft Enterprise
JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
JD Edwards World
Retek
For more details, visit Oracle Learning
www.oracle.com/education/getting_started.html
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Appendi xes
Appendix 5
Sample job advertisements
-
C#/.NET Developer
Mid Level .Net Developers with min. 2 years exp. of
C#, working on large custom apps developments
Financial organisation: $6090k package
Our client is based in central Melbourne
Our client, a leading nancial organisation has several opportunities
for exceptional .NET Developers to join their growing team on a
permanent basis.
The responsibilities of this role will include systems design,
development, producing code and technical specications, system
testing and writing documentation.
To succeed in this role, it is important that you have an excellent
track record in developing mediumlarge applications for major
corporations. You will be required to have the following skills:
- A mininum of 2 years experience in C#
- At least 2 years commercial experience in any of the following
languages-.Net/Java,C++ or VB6
- Strong skills in RDBMS Oracle is preferred however SQL Server
or Sybase SQL skills will also be considered
- Experience with web and windows based GUIs.
- A Bachelor degree (preferably in IT)
- Previous work experience developing in medium large organisations.
- Excellent communication skills
This role would suit an individual with excellent teamwork skills, who
can think on their feet, is willing to go the extra mile and has the
ability to work under pressure.
If you have the right skills and experience for this role, please click
the Apply button below, or email your rsum to:
michelle.jones@jobs.com.au
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Junior ASP/SQL Developer
PERMANENT OPPORTUNITY! Sydney CBD
38K Base + 9% Super
The Company
This rapidly expanding, privately owned company is an incentives provider
who reward individuals for their online contributions regarding personal
interests and desires as a consumer. This information is then provided to
marketing research companies.
They are looking for a talented individual who is passionate about ASP and
SQL development. Involved in the role will be numerous small to medium
autonomous projects that will revolve around the range of both internal and
external services of the rm. This is great challenge for an individual looking for
a change from their current line of development.
Your Skills
To succeed in this development environment ideally you will posess a
minimum of 6 months commercial development experience in ASP, SQL,
Javascript and a strong understanding of SQL server. Also required is MS
Ofce exp, a high level of patience and the ability to develop robust, high
quality code.
Tertiary qualications in Computer Science are required.
If you wish to be considered for this opportunity, please click the Apply Now
button below or email your rsum to daniel@ITjobs.com.au
Senior J2EE Developer -
Large Oracle Environment
Senior Java/J2EE Developer with Oracle
Java/J2EE JSP, Servlets, Struts, Eclipse, Junit, JRun, XML &
Oracle
$80K $100K+
Australian nancial institution requires a Senior Developer with 5 + years
commercial experience and excellent Java skills to join their team. It is a large,
data intensive J2EE/Oracle environment and the role will therefore require sound
knowledge of Oracle PL/SQL development, in addition to excellent hands on Java,
JSP, and Servlets. Just as importantly you will need to have a personable manner
and excellent communication skills to ourish in this supportive team environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for the right individual to take the next step up
in their career, or break into the nancial services sector. There is also strong
emphasis on personal development and worklife balance, in addition to an
attractive remuneration package.
Please click the Apply Now button below.
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Appendi xes
Appendix 6
Sample rsum
Terry Sample
121 Lyons Crescent Age: [optional]
Matraville NSW 2412 Date of Birth: [optional]
Daytime Tel: 02 9561 4564 Nationality: [optional]
Evening Tel: 02 9564 2564
Email: t.sample@email.com
PERSONAL PROFI LE
Qualied and experienced business analyst with experience in nancial services, healthcare, and
manufacturing sectors. Solid career professional with demonstrable track record of success in major IT
project implementations for a variety of organisations across a number of environments.
SKI LLS
Skills in working with programmers in various environments including COBOL, Fortran and more
recently J2EE and related. Knowledge of RDBMS, Oracle Financials and related technologies.
Knowledge of client-server technologies, network management and nancial IT practices.
Knowledgable about accounting practices and terminology, unit trusts, superannuation legislation,
Financial Services Reform Act and related issues.
CAREER HI STORY
Senior business analyst, Clover Financial Services, Sydney
April 2002 Current
Senior business analyst involved in a variety of projects transitioning from multiple Unix-based
environments to a single Windows-based client-server suite. Tasks involve creation of functional
specications, business requirements analysis, owcharts and process maps. Liaise with technical
leads and programmers and with business stakeholders across the three main divisions of the business.
Major achievements: all project milestones completed ahead of schedule, roll-outs all went on time or
ahead of time. Low error rates and high levels of user uptake.
Business analyst, Mercury Health Services, Liverpool
October 1999 March 2002
Developed original Business Process Guides for a suite of medical insurance products; adapting
system from use in Canada and the United States for Australian conditions. This required extensive
analysis of the Australian Healthcare Insurance Commission requirements and specications and re-
writing of health insurance product denitions and parameters.
[...etc]
EDUCATI ON AND QUALI FI CATI ONS
Educated at Sydney Grammar School
BSc Comp Eng, UNSW 1997
Grad Diploma Financial IT, UTS 2005
1
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2
Appendix 7
Sample cover letter
Terry Sample
121 Lyons Crescent
Matraville NSW 2412
Even Tel: 02 9564 2564
Email t.sample@email.com
6 January 2006
Mr Mark Smith
Senior Consultant
ABC Recruitment Solutions
242 George St Sydney NSW 2000
Dear Mr Smith
Re: Business Analyst Financial Services Company
I write in response to your advertisement for this position in yesterdays
Sydney Morning Herald. I wish to apply because the role represents an ideal
next step in my career, and because I believe I am an excellent candidate, as
my attached resume will demonstrate.
I am currently employed in a similar position by Clover Financial Services
however I wish to move to a larger organisation in order to make use of
the skills I have acquired in my three years at Clover and from my recent
completion of a postgraduate degree in Financial Analysis.
I have extensive experience with business analysis in both superannuation
and mortgage products, as well as a proven track record with Crystal
Reports implementation. I have been responsible for generating functional
specications and requirements analysis over the last three years as well as
having similar experience in earlier roles. I am a dedicated team player who
enjoys the company and support of my peers while being able to manage my
priorities and work with minimal supervision.
Most of all, I am a committed professional with the skills and attributes the
job requires, and a strong determination to achieve an excellent outcome for
my employer.
Yours sincerely
Terry Sample
IT - 120306.indd Sec1:164 13/3/06 2:42:46 PM
84310_SEK0092D_250x176 16/12/05 2:40 PM Page 1

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