Information Technology | Career Centre

Are you interested in helping organizations achieve their objectives by planning, designing, building and administering information systems? Studying Information Technology at York will prepare you to work at the interface between people and computer technologies. The School of Information Technology offers a variety of programs aiming at helping you become a versatile business-aware IT professional.

Career Options in Information Technology

This list is not exhaustive but it provides a solid idea of what fellow graduates have gone on to do and what potential careers an Information Technology degree can offer. Some options are more directly associated with specific areas of Information Technology than others.

Application Developer
Business Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Client Support Specialist
Database Administrator
Database Architect
E-Commerce System Developer
Enterprise/Solution Architect
Entrepreneur
Functional Consultant
Information Security Analyst
Information System Auditor
Information Technology Analyst
Information Technology Consultant
Integration Specialist

Interaction Designer
IT Department Manager
Network Administrator
Operations Manager
Product Developer
Product Manager
Professor/Teacher
Project Manager
Researcher
Software Development Manager
Software Architect
Systems Analyst
Systems Designer
User Experience (UX) Researcher
Web Designer

Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description of some of the careers mentioned above visit Career Cruising (login information can be found on the home page of the Career Centre's online system) or the National Occupational Classification website.

Skills Developed through an Information Technology Degree

A background in Information Technology ensures that you develop the skills and mindset to tackle many different professional challenges. Here are just a few of the skills an Information Technology degree can help you develop:

Core Skills

A broad understanding of the impacts of information technology on society, organizations and individuals.
Knowledge of programming technologies, data structures, database systems, computer systems and networks, user interfaces.
An understanding of how information systems are analyzed, architected, designed, built, deployed and maintained to achieve organizational objectives.
Working knowledge of key technologies for supporting modern business such as data analytics, information retrieval, cloud computing, social/web mining, data warehousing.

Communication, Data Gathering and Organizational Skills

The ability to present your thoughts clearly and intelligently in written statements and written opinion pieces.
The ability to organize, understand and analyze sources of information and to apply novel forms of technology or new information to different professional settings and tasks.
The ability to learn new information and apply this to professional demands.
The ability to explain complex ideas clearly to others and to apply complex theoretical concepts to everyday practice and professional dilemmas.
The skills to collect various types of information, assess them, analyze and incorporate potential linkages from different fields and efficiently convey your message and the goal of your work.

Management and Teamwork

The ability to interpret and analyze information presented by peers and efficiently and constructively support or challenge their proposals, theories, ideas and reports in order to achieve a project’s intended and successful end result.
Skills enabling you to work effectively in group situations, partaking in decision-making, leading and contributing in various capacities to the ultimate success of the team and task.
The ability to debate, persuade, mediate and present your thoughts and opinions to others, as well as the capacity to recognize and incorporate other potential solutions or applications to given problems.
The capability to identify priorities and proper courses of action, to plan the execution of tasks and to determine and delegate responsibilities to group members to most effectively carry out projects.

Professional Associations and Organizations

Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.