What are the reasons young people should study ICT as a career?

[Shaha Noor]

What are the reasons young people should study ICT as a career?
Studying computing and communications is the start to a rewarding, interesting and social career anywhere in the world.

1. ICT is about working with people, solving problems, finding solutions and making a difference to peoples' lives
ICT is not just about technology – it's about coming up with solutions to solve problems or to help people, businesses, communities and governments.

Imagine where ICT can make a difference to reduce global warming. You can help develop ICT solutions to reduce industrial emissions of greenhouse gases, design and develop alternative energy sources, introduce more efficient systems and technologies to manage energy use, establish and run countries' greenhouse gas emission trading schemes, and drive many vital climate change initiatives into the future.

Developing ICT solutions means working with people to find a solution. This work can be challenging, but it is also creative, innovative, fast paced, stimulating, and offers a lot of fun and excitement along the way.

2. ICT is a truly global career – your work in ICT can take you around the world
Working in ICT means you will have a rewarding and truly global career. ICT jobs can be found all over the world, both with international companies and with Australian companies trading globally. People with Australian ICT qualifications are well regarded by overseas employers and can easily find employment.

Working overseas is a great way to travel, meet people, sample new cultures, experience different lifestyles and get paid for it. It can also boost your career when you return to Australia. Many Australian ICT employers like to hire people with overseas work experience because they demonstrate initiative, drive and versatility and often bring important new skills and ideas to their roles.

3. ICT offers cool jobs, earning great money with a great lifestyle
ICT is one of the most rapidly growing career pathways available. ICT jobs give you:
   
    an opportunity to combine your interests with your job
    a career that puts you in demand across a dynamic industry where retraining is easy
    good prospects for promotion
    job flexibility: work at home, in the office, part-time, casual, full time
    and, of course, excellent salaries!

4. ICT creates opportunities for entertainment
ICT is not just computers, keyboards and printers. ICT is mobile phones, tablets and email, the Internet, YouTube, Facebook, iPods, Twitter, interactive games, online shopping, social networking. And just think all of the new things that ICT will introduce into our lives in the future – the potential is unlimited!

Entertainment technologies have spawned the creation of many new occupations for creative students with computer skills. You can join the world of entertainment with ICT qualifications – you never know what you might invent or who you will connect with.

Source: icenstu.edu