Top 12 Tech Jobs: Explained
The tech industry is growing quickly and there are lots of job opportunities in tech. Studying tech can lead to good salaries, diverse career paths and the ability to shape the future.
1. High Demand
There is a high demand for people with tech skills, and the tech job market is easy to enter. This means that there are lots of job opportunities in tech and you can take unconventional paths to get there.
2. High Salaries
The tech industry pays well. Entry-level tech salaries are higher than the average salary for Graduates. A tech Graduate can expect to earn around £30,000 on average, compared to the national average Graduate salary of £22,000.
3. Opportunities
Studying tech gives you skills that you can use in various career paths. There are many different roles in tech that cater to different skills and interests. Skills like creativity, problem-solving, analysis, curiosity, leadership, and communication are useful in the tech job market.
4. Flexibility
Working in tech gives you the flexibility to work in many different industries like retail, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, media and education. Plus, your IT skills can be used in any country, so you can work and travel around the world. There are many possibilities in the tech industry.
5. Change the World
Working in tech gives you the opportunity to make a positive impact on the future. You can create and build things that can help make the world a better place, such as invancements in medical technology, green technology and renewable energy. By working in tech, you can help change the world.
Northern Ireland has one of the most rapidly growing I.T. sectors in the UK. Belfast tech jobs represent almost 23% of all available job opportunities.
/ Top 12 Tech Jobs
Almost everything in our modern world is built on, or supported by, a set of rules or instructions called code, which tells a computer what you want it to do. Software Developers write code using programming languages. Everything from TikTok, Facebook and Google, to banks, traffic lights and even cars rely on thousands of lines of code to work.
Example Job Titles
Software Developer, Software Engineer, Web Developer, Frontend Developer, Backend Developer, Full-stack Developer, Mobile Developer, Video Game Developer, Software Architect.
A Typical Day
“A typical day for a Software Developer will involve writing a lot of code. They may be managing several software projects.
Although they may work alone for a lot of the day, some teamwork will be involved to help other Developers review their code; work together to find a solution to challenges; or work with other tech professionals such as Designers, Project Managers or sales team.” – David Jamison, Vice President at Insider Inc.
Would I Make A Good Software Developer?
Do you enjoy problem solving? Do you have a great eye for detail? Do you love learning new things?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then a life as a Software Developer could be right up your street!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £25,000 | Average: £45,000 | Experienced: £100,000+
See our interview with David
While Software Developers write code using programming languages to create computer programs and apps, a Software Tester tests that code to ensure there are no errors or bugs that can cause it to act differently than expected. These bugs can have consequences, causing disruption to lives, losing money or even causing fatalities. It’s a Software Tester’s job to ensure these are fixed before sending it out to the customer.
Example Job Titles
Software Tester, Software Test Engineer, Software Engineer in Test (SEIT), Software Developer in Test (SDET), Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer, Quality Engineer, Quality Analyst, Quality Assurance (QA) Tester.
A Typical Day
“A typical day for a Software Tester will involve planning and running tests on code. They work closely with Business Analysts to understand the requirements of the software and how it should behave. They will plan and execute tests to ensure the software works. They work closely with Software Developers to ensure any bugs are fixed so that the software works correctly.” – Louise Collins, Lead QA at Asos NI.
Would I Make A Good Software Tester?
Are you curious by nature with a good detail-oriented? Do you like to explore technology and learn new things? Are you good at collaboration and communication with other people?
Answering ‘yes’ to these questions means you might make a great software tester!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £25,000 | Average: £35,000 | Experienced: £65,000+
See our interview with Louise
A business analyst is someone who helps organisations improve their processes and systems by analysing their business operations and identifying areas for improvement. They work closely with other members of the organisation, such as managers and developers, to understand the business’s needs and goals. They then use this information to develop solutions, such as new systems or processes, that can help the business run more efficiently and effectively.
Example Job Titles
Business Analyst, Technical Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Digital Business Analyst, Project Business Analyst, Software Product Owner.
A Typical Day
“A typical day for a Business Analyst can vary massively depending on the projects that you are working on. Some of the key things a Business Analyst will do are gathering and analysing information, identifying business issues, and presenting ideas and findings whilst working with several different groups of people. Business Analysts also work closely with Project Managers, Software Testers, and Software Developers on a day-to-day basis.” – Holly Nixon, Business Analyst at Expleo Group.
Would I Make A Good Business Analyst?
Do you love communicating with lots of different people? Do you have good listening and communication skills and enjoy problem solving? Do you love being organised?
If so, it sounds like you’d make a great Business Analyst!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £30,000 | Average: £40,000 | Experienced: £60,000+
See our interview with Holly
A Product Manager doesn’t usually manage teams, but instead they will own the direction of one particular product, working with designers, engineers, marketing, and business analysts. They own the product vision, have a deep understanding of their customers, and create and manage the product roadmap.
Example Job Titles
Technical Product Manager, Product Owner, Product Marketing Manager, Data/Analytics Product Manager, Product Operations Manager, Software Product Manager, Chief Product Officer, Associate Product Manager, VP of Product.
A Typical Day
“No two days are the same for a Product Manager. They are involved in every step of creating a product: from working with customers to understand their needs, to collaborating with Software Engineers to design solutions. Throughout the process, Product Managers ensure that the customers’ voices are heard.” – Niall Curry, Lead Product Manager at Rapid7.
Would I Make A Good Product Manager?
Are you curious about why things work the way they do? Do you wonder if there might be another way? Are you comfortable putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand their point of view?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then the life of a Product Manager could be for you!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £28,000 | Average: £45,000 | Experienced: £70,000+
See our interview with Niall
User experience (UX) is about how people interact with products or services. This could be anything from the way a phone feels in your hand, to the actions you take in an app. The goal of UX design is to understand what people think and feel when they use something, so that they can make the experience better. For example, if an app is hard to use, a UX Designer might figure out why and come up with ways to improve it.
Example Job Titles
UX Designer, User Experience Designer, Product Designer, UX/UI Designer, Experience Designer, UX’er, Interaction Designer.
A Typical Day
“One of the perks of UX / Product Design is my day is always different. My day could involve talking to users to learn about their needs, using online tools to gather information, leading a design workshop, or creating prototypes for testing. The work is always interesting and rewarding and the tasks I do each day depend on where my team and I are in the design process.” – Stephen Currie, Lead Product Designer at Bazaarvoice.
Would I Make A Good UX Designer?
Do you have strong artistic and presentation skills? Do you come up with creative solutions? Do you want to improve people’s lives?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then life as a UX or Product Designer could be the path for you!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £25,000 | Average: £40,000 | Experienced: £70,000+
See our interview with Stephen
DevOps Engineers are responsible for the tools and processes that Software Developers use to create products and applications. They help automate tasks so that Developers can save time and write better code. By making sure that the tools and processes are well-managed, DevOps Engineers can help prevent bugs and other problems in the code.
Example Job Titles
DevOps Engineer / Platform Engineer / Automation Engineer, Cloud Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), Build Engineer, Release Engineer, Automation Architect.
A Typical Day
“The day starts with a stand-up meeting where we share what we did the day before, what we plan to do today, and if there are any obstacles in our way. After the meeting, each day can be very different. We might work on creating templates to save a team’s time, provide support for the tools they use, or even write code to automate tasks. Our goal is to help teams be as efficient as possible.” – Amy Shields, DevOps Engineer at Aflac Northern Ireland.
Would I Make A Good DevOps Engineer?
Do you enjoy helping people? Do you enjoy finding the best way to do something? Do you like working with other people?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then maybe you have a future as a DevOps Engineer!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £30,000 | Average: £50,000 | Experienced: £90,000+
See our interview with Amy
Every day 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are generated across the world. Data Scientists try to understand this data and find solutions to problems. They do this by coming up with ideas, trying them out, and watching to see how they work, trying to make sense of that mega-terabyte-tsunami.
Example Job Titles
Data Engineer, Data Architect, Machine Learning Analyst, Research Engineer, R&D Engineer, Data Analytics Engineer, Data Analyst, AI Engineer, Statistician, Business Intelligence Developer, Big Data Analyst, Database Administrator.
A Typical Day
“As a Data Scientist, my day usually starts by reading about the latest news and developments in my industry. I might read academic papers, blog posts, or anything else that can help me stay up-to-date. I might also be working on several different projects at once, trying to figure out the best ways to use data to solve problems. I might talk to Customers, Engineers, Sales Teams, or anyone else who can help me understand the problem better.” – Andrew Bolster, Senior R&D Manager (Data Science) at Synopsys.
Would I Make A Good Data Scientist?
Do you like numbers and using data when analysing a problem? Do you have a great attention to detail and know when something isn’t working as intended?
If you’ve answered yes to these question, you might be the ideal candidate for becoming a Data Scientist!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £25,000 | Average: £45,000 | Experienced: £80,000+
See our interview with Andrew
Game Designers create everything in your favourite video games. They spend time solving problems and documenting their work so that Developers can understand their vision and make it a reality. Designing games is a team effort, so Game Designers work with Artists, Sound Designers, and Developers to make sure everything comes together.
Example Job Titles
Game Artist, Game Animator, Game Developer, Game Designer, Game Programmer, Level Designer, Game Writer, Game Tester.
A Typical Day
“As a Game Designer, I spend a lot of time communicating my ideas to others. This can be through writing design documents, building prototypes, or just talking to other Developers. Every day is different, but a lot of my time is spent making sure that my ideas are clear and can be understood by the people I’m working with.” – Kyle Gilmore, Game Designer at Hypixel Studios.
Would I Make A Good Game Designer?
Do you love playing games? Are you creative? Do you love to solve problems? Are you a great communicator who understands how to talk to many kinds of people?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then maybe you are destined to become a Game Designer!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £28,000 | Average: £40,000 | Experienced: £60,000+
See our interview with Kyle
Cyber security is about protecting computers, networks, and people from threats on the internet. For example, viruses can infect computers and hackers can steal information by breaking into networks. It’s important to have good cyber security because it keeps our information safe when we’re online.
Example Job Titles
Information Security Manager, CISO, IT Security Manager, Director of Information Security, Technology and Risk Manager, Security Operations Centre Manager, Cryptographer, SOC Analyst, Cyber Security Engineer, Cyber Security Analyst.
A Typical Day
“A typical day in cyber security involves monitoring computers and networks to make sure they are safe and working properly. In some cases, they might even be allowed to hack into systems to help organisations understand how to protect against real hackers. They may also be responsible for conducting audits to ensure that their organisation is protecting its information and systems correctly. They may lead teams or work independently with different departments.” – Natalie Sullivan, Senior Manager, Cyber Security at Lunar Energy.
Would I Make A Good Cyber Security Engineer?
Are you curious and inquisitive? Are you proactive and adaptable? Do you have a great eye for detail? Do you have a passion for justice?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then a life in Cyber Security could be right up your street!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £28,000 | Average: £45,000 | Experienced: £100,000+
Digital marketing is all around us. If you’re thinking about buying something, chances are you’ve been influenced by something you saw online. A Digital Marketer promotes things online. They try to reach people who might be interested in what they’re selling. They use different strategies, like creating content or using adverts, to get people to notice their brand and buy what they’re selling. The goal is to make people more aware of the brand and get more sales.
Example Job Titles
Marketing Executive, Digital Marketing Manager, Digital Consultant, Digital Account Manager, Social Media Manager, Ads Specialist, SEO Specialist, Content Creator, Ecommerce Specialist, Digital Strategist, Digital Brand Manager.
A Typical Day
“You might work for an agency, in-house for a company, or for yourself as a freelancer. You will be responsible for a company’s digital channels like their website, social media or digital advertising. No matter where you find yourself, you will always work with other teams such as Creatives, Sales or General Management and no two days will ever be the same.” – Emma Burdett, Digital Marketing Consultant & Educator.
Would I Make A Good Digital Marketer?
Do you enjoy thinking outside the box? Do you like to constantly learn new things and stay on top of cultural trends? Are you both creative and logical?
If so, Digital Marketing could be for you!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £22,000 | Average: £32,000 | Experienced: £55,000+
See our interview with Emma
Every project, whether it’s building a house or creating a new digital application, needs a leader who can drive it to its successful completion – a Project Manager. A Scrum Master is a special kind of Project Manager who works with Scrum teams. They are a coach who helps teams adopt a new, Agile way of working that makes them more efficient and successful.
Example Job Titles
Scrum Master, Scrum Project Manager, Scrum Master Coordinator, Scrum Master Consultant, Agile Project Manager, Agile Scrum Master.
A Typical Day
“As a Scrum Master, my typical day is all about communication and helping others. I start my day by catching up with the team and reviewing their progress in a daily stand-up meeting. If any issues come up, I make time to talk to the team about how we can solve them. Then, I meet with Managers and Stakeholders to make sure everyone is on track. I take notes and make sure that any action items are addressed. After that, I might spend some time reviewing the team’s training needs and preparing materials. Throughout the day, I also make time for coffee and friendly chats.” – Tanya Vacarda, Scrum Master at Allstate.
Would I Make A Good Scrum Master?
If you enjoy leading teams, helping people and sharing knowledge, thrive on challenges and enjoy solving problems, then you have the chance to become a very good Scrum Master!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £28,000 | Average: £45,000 | Experienced: £65,000+
See our interview with Tanya
IT Support Analysts are there to help out when systems have problems, helping ensure our computers, laptops and tablets are working when we need them. They help resolve people’s technical problems face to face or via email, phone and social media.
Example Job Titles
Support Engineer, Support Analyst, IT Support, Support Specialist, Desktop Engineer, Desktop Support, Service Desk Analyst, Service Desk Engineer, Application Support Analyst, Software Support Analyst, Product Support Analyst, Helpdesk Support. A Typical Day “As an IT Support Analyst, my typical day involves solving computer problems for colleagues and customers. Every day is different, so I never know what kind of problems I’ll have to solve. I always enjoy helping people get their computers and devices working again. IT Support is about fixing technical issues, so it’s always exciting to see what kind of challenges I’ll face.” – Roy Fitzpatrick, Service Delivery Manager at Firemelon.
Would I Make A Good IT Support Engineer?
Do you enjoy problem solving? Do you enjoy helping others? Do you love learning new things?
If you answered ‘yes’ to those questions, then kickstart a life in IT as a Support Analyst!
What Can I Earn?
Entry: £22,000 | Average: £30,000 | Experienced: £45,000+
See our interview with Roy
/ A Career in Tech
The future for tech careers looks bright. The tech industry offers opportunity for growth and advancement. It is known for its dynamic and fast-paced environment, as well as its high demand for skilled workers. Many tech careers also offer leading salaries and benefits, and the potential for high earnings compared with other careers.
A career in tech can also offer opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects, and to make a positive impact on the world through the use of technology.
Are There Jobs available?
Tech jobs have reached the top spot for UK hiring in 2022, beating everything from Trade and Construction, to Engineering and Healthcare. This hiring boom is reflective of the growth seen in capital investment into UK tech companies, which saw a 130% increase.
Number of Vacancies in 2022?
How Much Can I Earn in Tech?
On average, tech jobs command an 80% premium on non tech jobs in the UK. From 2020 to 2021 the gap between tech, and non tech salaries widened.
Average Graduate Salary (UK)
Average Salary: Tech vs Non-Tech (UK)
1. Identify What You Want to Learn
Identifying which part of tech you are most interested in is the first step. This will help create a clear vision of where you want to go and understand which pathway to take. Read our ‘Top 12 Tech Jobs: Explained’ to find out which role might suit you.
For further career advice, you can follow Bring IT On and visit their website for more information on how to get started: https://bringitonni.co.uk/resources/
2. Join a Tech Community
Joining a tech community can provide you with the opportunity to learn technical skills, meet like-minded individuals, and gain insight into the world of tech. Join Eventbrite and MeetUp to hear about the tech meet-ups. Some great clubs to join are:
4. Choose a Pathway
A Bachelor’s Degree is a higher education qualification awarded by a University. In Northern Ireland, you can study at Queens, Ulster, or Open University. It typically takes three to four years to complete and you will learn at a very high level. Having a degree gives you a fantastic accreditation that can lead to many career opportunities.
A Foundation Degree can be a great option if you aren’t ready for university or didn’t get the results you wanted. A Foundation Degree is a two-year higher education qualification equivalent to two-thirds of a bachelor’s degree. It combines both academic study and practical work experience. It is an excellent option for those seeking to gain practical skills alongside their studies. After completion, you can either enter employment or progress to a full degree, whereby you can bypass the first or second year of University.
Apprenticeships are great if you learn by doing, combining both study and work experience. There are different levels of Apprenticeship, you can start at Level 3 or Higher Level (HLA) and progress all the way to level 7 (Postgraduate Degree). Doing an apprenticeship is the best option from a financial perspective as you don’t need to pay high tuition fees and can earn a salary while you study. You also can increase your career opportunities as you gain practical experience.
5. Other Routes
The Assured Skills programme offers pre-employment training to give you the skills needed to compete for new employment opportunities. Once you complete an Assured Skills training programme, you will be offered a job interview.
2 – Flexible Skills (Skill Up)
The Flexible Skills Programme is for ages 18 and over, to help re-train and re-skill. They are government-funded short courses with over 7,000 free places. Opportunities are available from entry to postgraduate levels.
/ GIRLS IN TECH
There are many job opportunities available for girls who are interested in technology. It’s an important field that is shaping the world we live in, and women have a valuable perspective to bring to the table. By studying technology, you can help create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.
Resources for Girls
On average, tech jobs command an 80% premium on non tech jobs in the UK. From 2020 to 2021 the gap between tech, and non tech salaries widened.
Book: Little Miss Geek
The book outlines practical steps that will bridge the gap between women and tech, through school and into the technology industry.
Website: Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is on a mission to close the gender gap in tech and to change the image of what a programmer looks like.
Group: Women Techmakers
Google’s Women Techmakers program provides visibility, community, and resources for women in technology.
Role Models
Sabrina Thompson
Aerospace Engineer for NASA, designing a space suit for female astronauts.
Susan Wojcicki
CEO of YouTube involved in the founding of Google.
Sheryl Sandberg
Former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook and self-made billionaire.
/ About Us
Realtime Recruitment
Ireland’s leading Tech and Digital Transformation recruitment specialist since 2005. We place the best tech and management candidates in the best roles with the best clients all over Ireland. With offices in Belfast & Dublin we build permanent and contract teams that help our clients deliver their projects. We also have a dedicated recruitment team that services clients in the US.
We continually invest in our people and systems to ensure we can offer our candidates and clients the best service that suits their needs today. Our core values are Accountability, Integrity and Rapport – If you need any tech career advice, get in touch, we will be happy to help.
Get in touch:
[email protected] | realtime.jobs
Bring IT On
The Bring IT On programme is funded by the Department for the Economy, in partnership with colleges and universities to encourage and educate young people about the career pathways into the IT industry. Facilitators provide talks and careers advice to aspiring further and higher education students. Facilitators also outline the qualifications required to obtain an IT role and the benefits of working in the sector to help young people gain the necessary insight required to progress in the IT sector.
Get in touch:
[email protected] | bringitonni.co.uk
