Tech  skills are a must-have in the digital age. Every company has its own IT requirements, and these will continue to grow and change as new technologies are introduced.

Employment is projected to increase in this space faster than any other industry, alongside developments in growing disciplines like cloud computing, Big Data and cyber security. Demand is high and getting even higher, which makes this an area bursting with opportunity.

Forget the stereotypes – the nerdy developer, coding through the night in their parents’ basement, or the Silicon Valley startup bro, wearing a graphic tee and riding around enthusiastically on a scooter. Today’s IT professionals work across the broadest range of roles and sectors. As far as careers go, IT is about as exciting and open-ended as it gets.

What kind of skills do you need to excel in an IT role?

IT roles cover the full spectrum – from the creative, to the technical, to the analytical – with skills ranging from software development and web design to data analysis and troubleshooting. The best IT students tend to be curious by nature; they are problem solvers and creative thinkers.

Sydney Institute of Business and Technology’s (SIBT) Senior Program Convenor, Dr Saad Odeh says, “at SIBT we focus mainly on communication and teamwork, our students gain these skills at the end of their degree and are able to collaborate and interact in real life teamwork projects. The communication skill they gain in their diploma study make them well prepared to proceed and complete their tertiary degree“.

Foundational skills required are:

• Coding: There are many coding languages that an employer might look for, including JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL and Python – which all topped the most popular list for 2020.

• Programming: While coding can be seen as step 1 – converting the language – programming involves giving a machine a set of instructions to run so it can follow set rules and perform tasks.

• Networking: Networking is all about connecting people, devices and systems to work together. You’re building a knowledge system greater than the sum of its parts, which is what helps organizations function and thrive.

Key soft skills required are:

• Teamwork and collaboration: Working in orchestration with others to find and execute the best solution.

• Communication: Taking complex technical information and communicating it in a simple, digestible format.

• Time management & organization: Accurately assessing how long a project should take, and following those timelines to meet project deadlines.

• Critical thinking: Thinking through all the different possibilities to solve the problem at hand.

• Goal setting & performance: Continually reviewing work and processes for improvement.

How to get skilled up with SIBT

Whether your path lies in becoming the company’s bubbly IT help desk go-to person or in building the next app that will transform the planet as we know it, it starts here at SIBT.

The Diploma of IT is designed to give you a broad introduction to computer science so you can discover your own path.

Get on-hand support while you hone your critical thinking and organizational skills so that you’re ready to progress into further specialisations in areas like software design, information systems and web design. Successful completion of your diploma means you can head straight into the second year of your bachelor’s degree at Western Sydney University, Sydney City Campus in as little as 8 months.

There’s no shortage of opportunity out there. We’re talking artificial intelligence, e-commerce, multimedia and internet development, big data, mobile computing – the list goes on. And there’s no shortage of your potential either.