A tertiary qualification can open the door to a career in IT but may not be enough to get a graduate through it. As technology becomes embedded across almost every role in every industry, employers are looking for people who can apply technical knowledge, solve unfamiliar problems, and communicate their thinking beyond the IT department.
For Eniola Lisoyi, Head: Department of Networks, Maths and Systems Engineering at Richfield, this means graduates need to think further than what they know today and develop the capabilities that will remain valuable as technology changes.
Here are five skills that can help IT graduates thrive:
1. Breadth and depth
IT is a broad field, encompassing coding, networking, databases, cloud computing, cybersecurity, AI, and data analysis. Graduates do not need to master all of these aspects, but they do need a solid understanding of the wider IT environment alongside deeper expertise in their chosen specialisation.
Lisoyi describes this as a T-shaped approach to career development. The horizontal part represents broad IT knowledge, while the vertical part represents deep expertise in a particular area. “The objective is therefore: know enough about IT broadly, but become very good at something specifically.”
2. Problem solving
Technology is constantly changing. The ability to analyse a problem and work systematically towards a solution therefore has a longer shelf life than proficiency in any single technology.
This is also where the gap between academic knowledge and workplace expectations can emerge. Students may be accustomed to clearly defined problems, whereas organisations often need employees to identify what the actual problem is before they can solve it.
CVs that contain proof of practical projects done while studying can help bridge this gap by demonstrating that graduates can turn knowledge into action.
3. Continuous learning
“AI can generate your code for you, but, you need to understand the code yourself,” says Lisoyi. The same applies to analysis and recommendations. AI can accelerate the process, but it cannot replace the judgement needed to validate its output.
The most sustainable advantage, Lisoyi argues, is the ability to “learn, unlearn, and relearn”.
Industry certifications, short courses, projects and ongoing professional development can all help graduates keep pace as technologies evolve.
4. Communication
IT professionals increasingly work alongside teams from across the organisation. Technical expertise therefore needs to be matched by the ability to explain complex concepts clearly.
This is more than a soft skill. A technically strong solution has limited value if the people who need to approve, fund, implement, or use it cannot understand its purpose.
5. Real-world experience
Workplace exposure can make a significant difference when graduates compete for their first roles. Completing internships, work integrated learning, and practical projects while still studying gives employers evidence of what a graduate can actually do, while helping students understand the expectations of a professional environment.
Ultimately, technical competence may get a graduate into the profession, but a broader combination of non-technical skills can determine how far their career develops. As Lisoyi puts it: “Your greatest long-term career advantage may not be what you know today, but how quickly you can learn what you need tomorrow.”
