A Career in the ICT SEctor, How to be an IT technician, What is a Web Developer and more on MYwage Zimbabwe
Take the Salary Survey and Win a Wage!
By Wongai Zhangazha
The ICT sector can improve the performance of businesses and the efficiency of markets, while empowering citizens and communities and increasing their access to knowledge. Furthermore, it can help in the management and exploration of natural resources and disaster awareness and preparedness as well as climate change.
One way of getting involved in the ICT sector is to be an IT developer.
What is an IT developer?
According to Wikipedia, an IT developer is a person concerned with facets of the software development processes. The person can be involved in aspects wider than design, coding and computer programming. An IT developer could work as a systems analyst, a business programme developer, in web designing, in the formulation of ICT policies, as a software tester, a systems administrator and more.
Fighting the stigma
For a young woman, it is a challenging and exciting career – and also one that not many women have entered, to date. Tarisai Mbiri is a young lady who has defied all odds and has challenged the discrimination. Working for a leading transport company as a web designer, she is responsible for the development and maintenance of her company’s IT structure. Tarisai sees herself contributing to the growth of transport sector in the country. The demand for women is high in this field.
Duties
Duties mainly involve working on the computerised system of a company and could involve reporting on statistics, maintenance analysis, documentation or record keeping.
For Tarisai, as a web designer her daily duties are to develop the layout and the overall look of a website, and create graphic and media essentials using Photoshop, Flash and other media applications. She ensures that the website is user-friendly and interactive. Her job also entails working with clients and co-workers.
She said: “My main focus is on designing a site that promotes my company's business, branding and logo.”
She also uses internet tools, social media and e-commerce in promotional campaigns for the sites. Tarisai has a flexible time frame. She works five days a week from Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3pm.
Skills
Most companies require employees with a degree in computer science to take up the job, while some take employees with a higher national diploma in computer science.
One has to have knowledge in HTML, CSS Python and many other software packages to be a successful web designer.
Despite the technical aspect, a web developer also requires “soft skills” to be successful. These involve communication, decision-making, project management and marketing. Communication and marketing are important to understand customers and to sell your products.
Salary
The highest paid in the field can get a salary of around US$2800 per month, while the lowest paid receive around $US300 - these will mostly be interns.
Medical aid is usually provided. Because of the flexibility of the job, many IT workers can do consultancy work which generates more income.
Read more
Want more tips? Visit our Career Advice section. And why not take our Salary Survey - you may win a prize!