Job duties and responsibilities of IT professionals
The key job duties of IT professionals typically include creating new computer systems, networks, and applications or finding software errors through troubleshooting. Many of them can be involved in various tasks depending on their roles and the company’s needs.
As an IT worker, you can expect to work with computer-based information systems, software, and hardware, typically by designing, developing, and managing them. Everyday responsibilities can include:
- Identifying technical problems
- Deploying the appropriate IT solutions to solve problems
- Designing computer-based systems or programs
- Identifying user needs with technology
General skills to build for IT job roles
Beyond having technical skills, such as programming, IT professionals and employers look for workplace skills like communication since technical skills are learnable through hands-on work. Having a balanced set of both types of skills can make you an attractive applicant for IT roles. Here are some technical and workplace skills to consider building as you prepare for a career in IT.
Technical skills
- Computer literacy: As an IT professional, you’ll spend a lot of time using computers, so understanding how to operate it and its basic functions is necessary.
- Coding: Many IT roles require coding knowledge in various programming languages, depending on your specific role. You may help code or develop new software and applications for your company.
- Application development: Having experience with application development can help you to understand the back-end of the software you’re using. You may find this helpful in creating new software or applications and monitoring computer systems.