The world of information and communications technology (ICT) is indeed a large and exciting one and offers a broad spectrum of careers for the school leaver to consider – from, for example, the highly technical areas of networking and telecommunications, through software engineering, enterprise architecture and application development to information security (including cybersecurity), business analysis and project, information and knowledge management, as well as artificial intelligence and robotics, to name just a few.
Just think of your everyday use of technology – mobile phones, the Internet, instant messaging, social networking – you could be involved in developing or enhancing this technology!
A career in ICT provides incredible opportunities for both men and women! What is also really attractive about the ICT profession is that qualified practitioners are able to work in just about any sector of the economy, since virtually all companies in the country (and, indeed, the world) deploy information technology in some form or fashion. This makes a career in ICT a truly global one – your work in ICT can take you around the world!
Most Universities offer degree programmes leading to careers in ICT. These are typically found in the faculties of Science, Engineering, Commerce and Business Management, among others. Students are advised to approach the university of their choice directly for more information about the courses available to them. Many university web sites also offer a wealth of information about the courses and programmes that they offer.
Apart from entering the world of commerce and industry, successful graduates may also wish to consider a career in research, and/or as an academic in a tertiary institution, or as a teacher in a primary or secondary school.
In addition, there are many vendor-specific training courses leading to well recognised and respected ICT certifications in the industry. These include certifications from organisations such as Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, IBM and SAP, to name just a few. These certifications are generally well received in the industry and some job opportunities may specify them as requirements for applicants, obviously depending on the nature and content of the specific job.
After entering the ICT profession, practitioners, as in many other professions, are encouraged to embark on a journey of lifelong learning (LLL) and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). This sees practitioners keeping their knowledge up to date and relevant by attending goal-directed training, seminars, workshops and conferences and thereby earning LLL or CPD points from their relevant professional association or institute.
In South Africa, IITPSA (Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa), previously Computer Society of South Africa (CSSA), is a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) recognised and IFIP IP3 accredited professional body representing ICT professionals and practitioners (see www.iitpsa.org.za) and strives to ensure that professionalism is practiced in the world of ICTs and that these technologies are used to the benefit of the companies deploying them, as well as the Community and Society at large. Our professional designations “PMIITPSA®” and “Pr.CIO®” are also registered by SAQA on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
If you need specific assistance on a career in the world of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), please feel free to email ceo@iitpsa.org.za with your request.
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If you are still at school, and unsure if a career in ICT is for you, perhaps consider participating in IITPSA’s Talent Search competition, which helps to identify and develop problem solving and logical thinking skills (Computational Thinking). You may need to consult with your local school teachers in order to be able to participate
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Some useful links:
University of the Witwatersrand:
Electrical Engineering (Information Engineering)
University of Pretoria
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University of Johannesburg
Computer Science & Software Engineering
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University of Cape Town:
Nelson Mandela University (PE):
Information and Communication Technology
University of KwaZulu-Natal:
Stellenbosch University:
University of the Western Cape:
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University of the Free State
Computer Science and Informatics
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Vaal University of Technology
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Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Information & Communication Technology Academy
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MICT SETA Career Opportunities Guide
(c) IITPSA 2019
