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Technology Education – What helps secure the IT job you’re after?
It’s that time of year when those thinking about studying in 2016 are busy exploring the options available at Universities and Training Institutions around New Zealand. Trying to juggle the balance between finding something that fuels the fire in their belly, but will still pay off and help land a great job at the end can be a trying task.
If you’re thinking the technology sector could be for you, this blog and our latest survey of New Zealand tech employers might offer some helpfully direction about where to start.
Our recent survey of over 440 tech sector employers in New Zealand showed that 56% believe industry specific technical qualifications were the most valuable credential a potential recruit can have under their belt, ahead of a University degree, IT Institute qualifications, and professional memberships.
“The nature of many tech roles in New Zealand is they’re skill specific and what employers are after is either hands on work experience or a specific technical qualification that shows you have put the time into becoming an expert in the field you want to work in,” says Absolute IT Director, Grant Burley.
What IT education pathway is best for you
While these survey results point all roads to industry specific technical qualifications, it’s worth reading on to understand if that really is the best avenue for you at your current career crossroads.
Burley also suggests that, “if you’ve already got some work experience and skills under your belt and want to apply these to a job in the tech sector, an industry specific qualification is a great way to get some hands-on technical skills and demonstrate your commitment to growing your career in tech direction”.
For those jumping into the tech world straight out of school, while our survey results might not reflect this, a University degree is still a great place to start. A degree in computer science and possibly business, while fairly broad, shows your ability to apply yourself, complete projects and a bench marks your achievements. From here you can build on your career with industry and skill specific qualifications,” says Burley.
In previous blogs we have highlighted the power of a degree, and it really is only in the later years of your career, as you climb the career ladder, that having a degree under your belt becomes key.
The power of IT experience
If you don’t yet have any tech work experience, while you’re studying build on your work story, go out and get some – paid or not. The comments from tech employers in our recent survey highlighted that often, above any form of education, experience is the key thing employers are looking for.
“Pick up the phone and hunt out some work experience or an internship – both might lead to paid work in the long term. Even if they don’t, being able to list some hands on experience in your CV might just put you one step ahead of your competition and nab you your dream job,“ says Burley.
Source: absoluteIT.co.nz
