The document outlines various professional roles in the IT industry, including software developers, systems analysts, project managers, network engineers, and more, detailing their responsibilities and key skills. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration among these roles for project success and highlights the need for continuous learning in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. Additionally, it includes activities aimed at enhancing understanding of role dependencies and resources for further exploration of IT career pathways.

1. Introduction to the Computing
Profession
Exploring Professional Roles and
Career Pathways in IT

2. Overview of Professional Roles in
IT
• 1. Software Developers: Building applications
and software solutions
• 2. Systems Analysts: Translating business
needs into technical requirements
• 3. Project Managers: Managing project
timelines, budget, and stakeholders
• 4. Network Engineers: Designing and
maintaining networks
• 5. Database Administrators: Managing data

3. Software Developers
• - Develop, test, and maintain software systems
• - Specializations: Frontend, Backend, Full-
Stack, Mobile Development
• - Key Skills: Programming (Java, Python,
JavaScript), Version Control (Git), Problem-
solving
• - Example: Building an e-commerce website
backend

4. Systems Analysts
• - Serve as a bridge between business needs
and IT teams
• - Analyze, document, and optimize processes
• - Key Skills: Business Process Modeling,
Requirements Analysis, Communication
• - Example: Analyzing the IT requirements for a
banking app

5. Project Managers
• - Plan, execute, and deliver projects on time
and within budget
• - Methodologies: Agile, Waterfall
• - Key Tools: Jira, MS Project
• - Example: Managing a mobile app
development project

6. Network Engineers
• - Design, install, and maintain IT infrastructure
• - Focus on network security, troubleshooting,
and performance
• - Key Skills: Knowledge of protocols (TCP/IP),
network security, hardware
• - Example: Setting up a corporate VPN

7. Cybersecurity Specialists
• - Ensure security of systems and data from
cyber threats
• - Key Skills: Encryption, Ethical Hacking,
Security Frameworks (NIST)
• - Example: Defending against a phishing attack
in a company

8. Data Scientists & Analysts
• - Extract insights from large datasets using
statistical tools
• - Key Tools: Python, R, SQL, Data Visualization
(Tableau, Power BI)
• - Example: Analyzing customer data to
optimize marketing strategies

9. UX/UI Designers
• - Focus on creating intuitive and user-friendly
interfaces
• - Skills: Prototyping, Wireframing, User
Research
• - Example: Designing the interface for a food
delivery app

10. Collaboration in IT Roles
• - Cross-functional teams are common in IT
projects
• - Developers work with UX Designers,
Analysts, and PMs
• - Effective communication ensures project
success
• - Example: A project manager coordinating
between developers and designers

11. Class Activity and Discussion
• - Activity 1: Select an IT role and describe its
required skills
• - Activity 2: Group exercise: Simulate a
collaborative IT project
• - Objective: Understand the dependencies
between various roles

12. Reading and Resources
• - ACM Career Pathways:
https://ethics.acm.org
• - IEEE Computer Society:
https://www.computer.org
• - Explore new and emerging roles in the IT
industry

13. Summary and Wrap-Up
• - IT professionals have diverse roles, each
requiring specific skills
• - Collaboration between roles is critical to
project success
• - Continuous learning is essential in the
evolving tech landscape
• - Next Steps: Dive deeper into ethics and
professionalism in future sessions