The Information Technology industry has become the largest source of remunerative jobs in the country. India has emerged as the leading software exporter and a major hub for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). Information technology offers jobs at all levels from ordinary graduates with minimal computer literacy to highly qualified IT professionals. This excerpt from Malayala Manorama - A directory of higher education, focuses on the job opportunities in IT and lists the institutions in the country which can prepare you for a career in the fast growing industry.

The computer Revolution has geared India towards a new era of growth and technical excellence. Computers have increased the accuracy, efficiency, quality and speed of work performed in almost every sector of activity. Computers today help man in composing, organizing, analyzing, storing and retrieving data with ease and élan. There is hardly an area of activity that has not been permeated by the magic of the computer. For the very same reason, the employment opportunities offered in this sector are phenomenal.

The IT scenario offers two kinds of careers - in the hard­ware sector and in software. All jobs related to the pro­duction, design and maintenance of machinery comprise the hardware sector. Software are utility programmes in­stalled in the hardware in order to make it operational for the end user.

The Profession: Hardware sector offers jobs like­

Service Engineers: They are employed by the computer manufacturers and vendors for purposes of servicing and maintenance. Prob­lems related to the hardware or in the alignment of hard­ware and software are rectified by them.

Design Engineers: Design Engineers are employed in the production sec­tor. Their work involves the actual engineering of new and improved versions of hardware.

Computer Scientist/Technologist: Works in the R&D team of the manufacturing unit. He is involved in design modifications to suit the needs of the industry.

Software
The software sector is a highly competitive field and the prospects are excellent. In the hierarchy of jobs.

Programmers: They create and test the efficacy of software programmer and help the end user in the installation and use of it.

Applications Programmer: Writes user friendly programmes to the specifications of the systems analyst. He works in software houses or consultancy firms and directly interacts with the client at the installation phase of the programme.

The Systems Programmer: Work is more academic. He creates systems software which is the base on which the applications programmes run. He works in software houses and at R & D Institutes.

Analyst Programmer: Handles the entire process of implementation of medium sized computerisation pro-jects. He analyses the requirements, writes the programme, tests and installs the software. He works in user organisa-tions with large computer networks.

Systems Analyst: Has to interface between the client and the programmer. He evolves the overall plan and procedure of programmer development. He researches the end user mode of operations at the office and analyses the means of computerising it using available technology. He should be well versed in system analyses and design, for it is he who gives the blueprint on which the programmer works. He should also be a communications expert as he has to feel the pulse of the end user and provides accordingly. He works with software houses and consultancy firms.

Software Engineers
Are another specialised breed of computer software developers who are also adept in the technical side. He is usually employed by the R & D institutes and his work covers the design development and maintenance of higher end softwares.

Other jobs available in the computer sector are - Marketing of hardware and software. A working knowledge of both would be useful.

End user Jobs : To this category belong the computer operators, data entry staff and any professional who uses the computer to perform his duties.

Training : The growth of the IT industry has resulted in a mushrooming of IT training institutes. These institutes provide jobs for those who aspire to be trainers.

Web Careers
Today internet has become a one-stop shop for any information on anything anywhere in the world. The reception and transmission of data are done at the click of a key. Voice-mail makes transmission of voice data possible while video conferencing allows face to face conversation between people located across the globe.

The web offers infinite opportunities for the internet savvy professional. On the technical side, the web pro­fessional has to ensure the smooth, uninterrupted func­tioning of web sites while, on the creative side, the web master designs, activates and maintains these sites. The web master should have artistic sensitivity as well as mar­keting skills, for he is basically an advertising professional. Most computer institutes offer basic and advanced courses in web designing. The basic qualifications for entry in this field is graduation with knowledge of computer operational systems, programming languages, graphic and internet tools. Artistic skills and an eye for colour and shape can be an added advantage.

Courses in computers are of four types:
1. University courses

2. Those offered by IT conglomerates like Microsoft, Sun and Oracle.

3. Department of Electronics Accredited Computer
Courses or DOEACE programmes.

4. Courses offered by large and small training insti­tutes which are either affiliated to Indian or foreign universities or have no affiliation at all.

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