In the world of IT there are obviously jobs that require specialist technical skills such as software engineering and programming but, there are also vacancies in other areas such as sales, marketing, finance, business analysis and consultancy. If you don’t have an IT degree, but technology excites you a job in one of these areas could be just the ticket.

Technical know-how needed?

While it is true that some employers will advertise for graduates with specific skills and computing-related degree backgrounds, others will look for graduates who have a broad technical knowledge and problem-solving aptitude, perhaps gained from studying a scientific or numerate degree. However, some employers advertise that they recruit from ‘all degree backgrounds’ and they mean it. This is because there are some jobs where deep technical skills are not the highest priority. For example, the work of a technology consultant or business analyst focuses on higher level IT and technology issues, so it is less technical.

These crossover roles still require the ability to take complex problems and define logical solutions, but you won’t build or develop the actual system. Consequently, employers concentrate on finding well-rounded graduates with strong problem-solving skills and a proven interest in the interface between IT and business. A bright individual who can talk business and communicate the aims and possibilities of technology without necessarily diving into the technical details is a good catch. While some technical knowledge is preferable, employers will provide training in the basics; everything else can be learned on the job.

While it is not strictly necessary to have a specific degree qualification to enter the IT profession a passion for technology is a must.

Prove you’re into IT

While it is not strictly necessary to have a specific degree qualification to enter the IT profession a passion for technology is a must. Graduates from a non-IT related degree should be aware of how technology can make a difference to commercial success and how it can be applied in a business setting.

Demonstrating your interest in IT needn’t be a challenge. It is important to remember that a recruiter is not a mind-reader so you will need to think about how you can match your skills and knowledge to the job you are applying for. Completing some relevant work experience is a good start, but don’t forget that any work experience can help you to demonstrate that you have transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.

There are a number of other ways you can increase your employability such as teaching yourself programming or completing a postgraduate masters IT conversion course to put in some basic technology foundations. In terms of applications and at interviews, researching the company that you are applying to is very important. Ask yourself the following questions: What is the organisation’s business? What product or service is being provided? Who are the company’s competitors? Why do you want to work for them? Once in a job you will need to be enthusiastic about the service you and your organisation provide, the technology you use and the customers you are helping.

Finally, be realistic about what you want to do and work out where your skills and abilities will be used to their best advantage. Explore all your options and take a look at the full range of employers recruiting graduates into IT roles.

How to demonstrate you’re interested in IT

• Keep yourself up to date with the latest developments in IT: read relevant publications and websites, eg read the technology section of a quality newspaper and look up IT news on websites such silicon.com.
• Become a member of any technology-focused societies at your university.
• Apply for IT-related positions in your summer breaks to gain extra skills and demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
• Make sure you can demonstrate your awareness of how IT now shapes much of the commercial world. Develop your own view on how trends in areas such as social networking, mobile technology, security, and web applications could have an impact on how businesses work.
• Employers need highly numerate candidates, so if you have non-numerically-based A levels or degree qualifications, make sure you include your GCSE subjects and grades on your CV.
• In applications, demonstrate why you are interested in a career in IT and highlight any IT-related work experience you have gained or any IT-related activities you have been involved in; for example setting up a website or blog, or using a Wiki to organise your course notes and revision.

More advice to help you find out about IT and telecoms careers and working life

• Explore the different sectors and organisations in which you can find technology and IT-related jobs
• The myths of working in IT dispelled
• Software developer, business analyst, tester... ten typical roles you might come across in the IT and telecoms industries
• Find out more about different information technology business activities
• She's got to have IT: women at work in technology
• What you could expect from your first year in the IT business
• Key tech and business terms essential for talking technology
• Not all IT graduate jobs are found in big companies: take a look at SMEs too
• Read about real-life IT projects
• Work experience and placements: the best way to get experience in the tech business
• Essential advice for IT applications and interviews
• How to get a job in IT and telecoms


• Find graduate employers, immediate jobs and work experience in IT and telecoms