A Career in ICT Working with computers and information and communications technology (ICT) can be both exciting and challenging. Computers are concerned primarily with the processing of information, which is found in many forms including information required for business transactions, booking seats for travel or entertainment, information on materials and products made during the manufacturing process, or information required to monitor and control the operation of complex processes or satellite systems. Computers also may be used to control devices which help the physically handicapped, or to map networks or pipelines or electricity wires, or to provide detailed maps of land use from information collected by satellite observation. An important new application is the development of 'expert' systems which utilise the knowledge (information) obtained from an expert to advise other persons what should be done. The effective use of information has become crucial in the management of most businesses and industries. Consequently information is now regarded as a major resource, just as people are an important resource. ICT professionals have a crucial and challenging part to play in the effective application of computers and computing technology to achieve effective processing of information. The ever-growing list of activities to which computing is applied and the importance of information processing generally have created excellent employment opportunities for persons who obtain appropriate qualifications in IT. In Australia, employment opportunities in ICT are now better than they are for graduates in any other discipline. Excellent opportunities for ICT graduates also are to be found in most other parts of the world. The Work of an ICT Professional Most professional ICT work can be classified into three broad areas: Information Systems Computer System Engineering Computer Science The majority of employment opportunities occur in the application of computers to create business information systems. In some countries up to eighty or ninety percent of professional computing positions will be in this area. Because graduates will be concerned with business systems, it is highly desirable they also have a background in accountancy or management to supplement their training in computer technology. The graduate will be concerned with designing and implementing systems which collect information from customers or other business transactions, validate the data for accuracy, store the data in a safe place on a computer system, ensure the data is protected from unauthorised access or lost due to accident, and provide reports to management at any time when it is requested. An important new activity is the development of expert, or knowledge-based systems. A second important area is the application of computers in a wide range of industrial control problems. Examples include the control of complex machinery in a manufacturing operation (Computer Integrated Manufacturing), or the control of operations in a steel mill, an oil refinery, or an electricity distribution system. Computer systems of this type require the design of special computer hardware from supplied components and the writing of specialised software to interact with the industrial control system. Graduates working in this area should have a degree in computer systems engineering. The demand for graduates in this area is growing rapidly. The third main area of interest is in the field of computer science where the graduate may undertake research into the design of specialised hardware or software. The objective is to develop techniques which will enable the information systems specialist or the computer systems engineer to apply computer technology more effectively. Because of the importance of information and the crucial role it plays in many organisations, many computing professionals become well informed on the operations of a company. That, together with their training, makes them good candidates for management positions at later stages in their careers.