The information and communications technology (ICT) sector is one of the most exciting areas to work. Not only is the pay-structure good. But, the sector involves a broad number of areas from programming, business consulting, and development and sales and marketing roles. Additionally, graduates can not only find jobs in the core domains like IT & Telecom. But, they are also sought-after in the Financial Services, Real Estate, Manufacturing and other industries. The Indian Information & Communications Technology (ICT) sector accounts for 5.9% of the country’s GDP and export earnings as of 2009 (AICTE) and employs more than 3 million of graduates. In this post, we will look into the Top Job Functions, Best Companies, Top Locations, and Jobs Abroad within the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) sector.

Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Jobs

Top Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Jobs in India

Software Engineer

Job Positions: Software Engineer, Software Developer, Software Architect, Application Programmer, System Programmer or System Engineer

The software engineer typically works in both design and development stages of the software creation. The work also includes programming system-level software: operating systems, database systems, embedded systems and so on.

The engineer will typically help to plot out the various aspects of the automated tasks that will be necessary, usually using design documentation and flowcharts to help illustrate the process. Communicating with the stakeholders and clients is also an essential part of the job description.

The engineer also works with programmers and coders to help map out various programming tasks and smaller functions, which are then combined into larger, functioning programs or new features for existing software.

Related Post: Computer Science Careers, Jobs & Salaries in India

Top Technical Skills

C++ Programming

Java/J2EE

Java

C

JavaScript

.NET

SQL

NET Framework

jQuery

HTML

C#

Ideal Background: Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering

Top Companies by Pay: Google, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Cisco, Amazon, Trigent, Experion Technologies, Fingent Corp, Radixweb, Brainvire Infotech, Cabot Technology Solutions, Daffodil Software

Top Locations: Bangalore, Gurgaon, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad

Systems Analyst

Job Positions: Systems Engineer, Solutions Specialist, Product Engineer, Technical Designer, Software QA Analyst, Programmer Analyst, System Architect

Systems analysts bring IT and business together by understanding the needs and challenges of both. They investigate and analyse business problems and then design information systems that provide a feasible solution, typically in response to requests from their business or a customer.

As a systems analyst, you must be able to think outside the box, finding effective solutions for businesses and other clients. You must be adept at investigating problems and fixing them in the most efficient way possible. Systems analysts must be knowledgeable in programming languages, operating systems and hardware.

Systems analysts have to work with vendors and other workers in IT related fields. Along with this direct person to person interaction, systems analysts must analyze costs and other such important aspects of technology services.

Top Technical Skills:

JavaScript

jQuery

NET

Microsoft SQL Server

PL/SQL

Java

C++

Ideal Background: Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Systems, Liberal Arts or Business with Programming

Top Employers by Pay: Cognizant, Fidelity Investments, Accenture, Boeing, Visa, TCS, Atos, Sonata Software, UST Global, Infosys, Hexaware Technologies, Verizon, Tech Mahindra

Top Locations: Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata

Business Analyst

Job Positions: Business Architect, Enterprise-Wide Information Specialist

Business analysts develop technical solutions to business problems. Additionally, they work towards advancing organization’s sales efforts, by defining, analyzing and documenting requirements. A business analyst offers consultation to management in an effort to help the company become more effective.

Business analysts are like all-rounders or midfielders, equally happy talking with technology people, business managers and end users. They identify opportunities to improve processes and business operations by leveraging information technology.

As a business analyst, you will be analysing a customer’s needs and create a project plan or product roadmap to design the required technology-based solution. Although the role demands an understanding of technology, a technical degree is not mandatory.

For business analyst roles, you need to be an effective team player with strong cross-functional skills and inter-personal skills – communication, presentation, facilitation, project management and problem-solving.

Top Technical Skills:

Requirement & Functional Analysis

Analytics

Microsoft Visio

Microsoft SQL Server

SQL

UML

Java

C++

HTML

Ideal Background: IT, Business Analytics, MBA, Finance, Computer Applications, Information Systems

Top Employers by Pay: J.P. Morgan Chase, Accenture, Cisco, Cognizant, Amazon, Mu Sigma, Genpact

Top Locations: Gurgaon, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai.

Software Tester

Job Positions: Test Analyst, Software Quality Assurance Tester, QA Tester

Software Testers are involved in the quality assurance stage of software development and deployment. As a software (QA) tester, you will run automated and manual tests to ensure the software or app (created by developers) is fit for purpose.

Bugs can have a massive impact on the productivity and reputation of an IT firm. Software tester typically works as part of a quality assurance or engineering quality control department. Testers try to anticipate all the ways an application or system might be used and how it could fail. They don’t necessarily program but they do need a good understanding of code.

Testers prepare test scripts and macros and analyse results, which are fed back to the project leader so that fixes can be made. Additionally, they may provide user feedback and report on unnecessary interface clutter, non-responsive user interface systems and issues such as tooltips that fail to display or menus that cause excessive clicking.

Ideally, software engineers take the feedback from software testers to understand pitfalls of the development processes. Subsequently, they work in liaison to create a solid product.

You need to possess attention to detail, creativity, organisation, analytical and investigative thinking, and communication skills in order to become a successful software tester.

Top Technical Skills:

Test Planning & Automation

Java

Selenium Automated Test Tool

Test Engineering

System Testing

SQL

Black Box Testing

C

Ideal Background: IT, Engineering, Computer Applications, Quantitative Backgrounds

Top Employers by Pay: TCS, HCL, Accenture, Cognizant, Wipro, Capgemini, Infosys, IBM, Syntel

Top Locations: Gurgaon, Bangalore, Kolkata, Noida, Pune, New Delhi, Chennai

Technical Sales

Job Positions: Technical Sales Engineer, Sales Executive, Account Manager, Sales Manager, Business Development Officer/Executive

Technical sales roles do not necessarily require hands-on technical expertise. But, you will need an understanding of how IT is used in business in order to get into technical sales. As a technical sales engineer, you will be the key point of contact for clients, answering queries, providing technical advice and introducing new products.

As a technical sales engineer, you need to possess a blend of sales ability and technical knowledge. You must possess strong technical, organisational, communication & interpersonal, analytical, and sales skills. Besides, you also need to have a sound commercial awareness and a driving license (and vehicle).

You have to determine client needs and ensure that pricing meets the needs of both your employer’s expected profit margins and the client’s budget. Ideally, you should be an extrovert (to be extremely successful). You will be required to travel, either within a limited sales territory or possibly across the country or world.

Ideal Background: IT, Engineering, Computer Applications, Quantitative Backgrounds

Top Employers by Pay: TCS, HCL, Accenture, Cognizant, Wipro, Capgemini, Infosys, IBM, Syntel

Top Locations: Gurgaon, Bangalore, Kolkata, Noida, Pune, New Delhi, Chennai

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Technical Consultant

Job Positions: IT consultant, application specialist, enterprise-wide information specialist.

Technical consultants are hired for projects requiring significant knowledge in a particular technical area.

They are usually hired by a consulting or staffing firm, and they often must be able to learn components such as software quickly when placed within a company. Technical consultants need to be able to provide expertise, advice, and support to the company.

Technical consultants need to be customer service-oriented and detail-oriented, as well as have communication skills, listening skills, and flexibility.

Top Technical Skills:

Spring

Java/J2EE

UNIX

Oracle SQL Developer

.NET

JavaScript

Microsoft SQL Server

Business Intelligence

Ideal Background: IT, Engineering, Computer Applications, Quantitative Backgrounds

Top Employers by Pay: Capgemini, Hewlett-Packard, Wipro, TCS, Deloitte, Infosys, Microsoft

Top Locations: Pune, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad

Network Engineer

Job Positions: Hardware Engineer, Network Designer

Network engineering is one of the more technically demanding jobs within the IT sector. They are typically involved in setting up, administering, maintaining and upgrading communication systems, local area networks and wide area networks for an organisation.

Additionally, network engineers are also responsible for security, data storage and disaster recovery strategies. As a network engineer, you must be knowledgeable of a variety of networking technologies, such as routing, cryptographic tunnelling, firewalls, and others.

They generally work in offices to troubleshoot problems related to their company’s enterprise-wide network, and they must ensure that their systems’ security and firewall software is up-to-date. Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work well in a team environment are important in this position, and they must be able to speak clearly, by phone or in-person, with various network users regarding their companies’ computer network issues.

Top Technical Skills:

TCP/IP

Networking

Firewall Installation

Cisco Networking

Ideal Background: IT, Computer Science, Electronics & Communications, Computer Applications

Top Employers by Pay: Cisco, TCS, Booz Allen Hamilton

Top Locations: Gurgaon, Bangalore, Noida, Pune, Chennai

Top Foreign Countries for ICT Jobs

Due to skills mismatch, demand-supply imbalances, an ageing workforce and other factors, Canada is headed for a major technology talent shortage in the next five years. Canada needs 182,000 people to fill positions for information systems analysts and consultants, computer and network operators, Web technicians, software engineers and others in by 2019.

Australia is another great destination. The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA and formerly DIBP) made few changes in the Skill Shortage Occupation List. Last year, the Australian Govt. also made few changes in the visa regulations including the scrapping of the 457 visa category. Know more about ICT jobs in Australia.

Other popular choices are Ireland and USA. Read more about ICT jobs abroad.

Image & Data Sources: PayScale.com & Glassdoor

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