Don't think that a career in Information Technology (IT) will be a series of high-paid cushy jobs, because according to Owen Vickers, you could be disappointed.

"A lot of people think IT is an easy job and you earn lots of money which is not actually the case. The reality is it can be pretty hard work. The hours can be quite insane depending on how much work you have got on and the organisation you are with."

Owen is a senior systems engineer and his work mainly involves checking that computer systems are working properly, and fixing them if they're not. "I'm responsible for making sure all the servers are up and running and there are no errors. Other times we might have to fix general desktop problems, like someone maybe using Excel (a spreadsheet program) and they've got an error message that we need to sort out. Other work includes checking the security and storage of client data and backups, and larger projects, such as installing new systems or upgrading existing ones."

Handling such a multitude of tasks calls for a broad range of skills. "That's why when we are employing staff we look for people with experience, but failing that, those with a really keen interest in computers and how they work, fixing them, building their own machines or programming.
 
"You have to be prepared to work some extra hours if required because a lot of times you're working to deadlines and customer expectations are they want it done now, or sooner. You also have to be able to work as part of a team but at the same time be someone who can think for yourself."

Owen has been doing this work for many years but still enjoys it. "There's always something new to learn or a problem you haven't come across before. And because it's such a fast-moving industry there are new products coming out that you have to learn and become an expert on quite quickly."