1. Launching your IT Career
By Ko Chit (MITP)
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

2. Agenda Introduction Understanding IT field
Building IT Foundation Knowledge
Finding your IT passion
Creating your experience
Other important skills (non-IT)
Requirements for IT Entry/Intermediate Jobs
Current IT Job market and trend
Internet-based Freelance IT Job opportunities
Conclusion and Q&A
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

3. Introduction Presenter’s background Target audience Presentation time
18 years of IT experience (Consultant, Entrepreneur, and MITP Co-founder)
currently work at Deloitte Consulting (based out of San Jose, CA, USA)
Education/Certification: MBA, MS, PMP, CSM
Target audience
IT Students, Beginners of IT Career, IT Pro “want-to-be”
Presentation time
30 minutes
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

4. Understanding IT field
IT is a general / broad filed (and evolving and expending field)
Work very closely with other subjects/disciplines (e.g. engineering, business)
Have many branches
Information System/Management
Computer Science/Engineering
Software Engineering
Network Engineering
Bioinformatics
Etc.
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

5. Build your IT Foundation Knowledge and skills (no matter what role you are going to do)
Computer Programming
Object Oriented Analysis and Design
Data Communication / Internetworking
Relational Database Management
Computer Hardware / System Architecture
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

6. Find your IT passion: What kind of IT person are you?
Love code?
Programmer, developer
Prefer creative work?
UI designer , Web designer
Play with system/network?
System admin, webmaster, Network technician
Like to fix technical problem?
Technical Support, service technician
Want to know big picture, underlying processes, and business value?
System analyst, business analyst
Passion to lead a team?
Team lead, Project Manager
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

7. Create your story/ Build your profile (own experience)
Find somewhere you can practice what you learn
You can’t get a job create one
How? Start an open source project, offer free technical support to school’s computer lab, design a website for monastery, etc.
Try to focus one area and go through a full cycle
Example – Free Web Site Project
Document client’s requirement, design, develop, and test the new site, implement/host the site to go-live, modify/change as needed after upload, get feedback from client
And ask the client that you will list his/her website as your project in your CV or profile
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

8. Other important skills for IT Professional
Communication skill (English Language – at least intermediate level reading/writing/speaking)
People / soft-skill (able to work with team)
Basic business functions (finance, HR, marketing, etc.)
Basic research skill (we use Google a lot , comparing tools/technology etc.)
People/professional networking skill (meeting new people, making connection)
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

9. What is a typical requirement for entry to intermediate level IT job?
An ideal candidate has:
A degree or equivalent training
1-2 years of work experience
1-2 entry level professional certification (optional)
Can’t generalize which one is more important than other (it’s depend on employer/country/project)
Should have a degree (at least will help you to qualify to apply for the job since most jobs will ask for it)
1-2 years of work experience (could be your part-time project, open source contribution, freelance work for your friend, but at least you show that you have applied the knowledge/skill you have leant in real work setting)
1-2 entry level professional certification (show that you are committed to learning and developing yourself)
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

10. Knowing type of jobs that are in high demand
Web Developer
Web / UI Designer
System Administrator / Webmaster
Software Engineer/Programmer
Software Tester/QA engineer
Tech/Network Support Technician
IT Business Analyst
IT Project Team Lead (Tech + Business)
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

11. Understanding IT Jobs and market trend
Find many different Job titles / opportunities
IT Project Manager, IT Business Analyst, IT Trainer, IT engineer, Programmer, Technical Support, Webmaster, UI Designer, Network Engineer, System Engineer, Application Specialist, and so many more (never ending)
Is a global profession
Similar language we speak (mean IT language)
Same skill-set and background requirements
Transferable from one country to another
IT workforce is becoming global workforce (offshore)
Our world (everywhere) needs many highly skilled IT professionals (no matter how our economy is and how we are doing with the recession, there is always shortage for skilled IT workforce)
It can be up and down (roller coaster ride), but you are stick with IT, you will thrive for sure
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

12. Project-based Freelance Job Opportunities
If you have a good IT skill, good Internet connection, and good English (at least read/write well) you are in luck!
In today’s world, thousands of IT jobs are done by freelancers working remotely
Check out
oDesk.com
Elance.com
Guru.com
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

13. Conclusion Build your IT foundation Knowledge
Apply your knowledge and transform into skill-set
Create your own experience / Profile
Reach out to other professionals / Network
Improve communication skill and other
Start making some real $$$ online
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018

14. Q&A Sample questions Thanks!
I am a talented programmer. Do I really need a degree?
How can I get a job oversea (SG)?
How can I find out more about freelance job opportunities?
Thanks!
MITP Webinar Series
12/26/2018