IT, Data and Tech
Whether you can code or not, you can forge a rewarding career in IT, Data and Tech. Graduates entering the sector can expect dynamic career paths, ongoing learning, and the chance to work on and with technologies that are changing the world. With flexibility, innovation, and high earning potential, it remains one of the most exciting, future-focused and rapidly evolving career areas.
The driver behind digital transformation and solving some of the world’s most complex challenges; our systems are now even developing themselves through Artificial Intelligence (AI). With Quantum Computing within our sights, the pace of change is set to increase.
The technical knowledge and skills required depend on the role, so it isn’t only a sector for computer science, physics and engineering graduates. There are many roles for project management, client liaison and software testing to name a few which do not require coding ability. However, if you know how or have the aptitude to code you will be particularly in demand since this skills set is still highly sought after.
IT professionals are present in all organisations and all sectors with some specialising within an industry sector, e.g. finance, retail, health and education to name a few. Therefore, employers will range from large household brands to small startup companies operating in niche areas.
It can be helpful to look at some of the terminology used within the sector to categorise roles:
Information Technology (IT) covers everything from technical support and network engineering to cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity. Organisations are increasingly relying on digital systems to manage, speed up and organise their operations. Therefore, IT professionals who can build, maintain and protect these systems are also needed to support them.
Data and Analytics roles focus on gathering, analysing and interpreting data to help organisations make informed decisions. Businesses and systems are generating more data than ever, so the ability to extract meaningful insights is a key competitive advantage. Careers in this area include data analysts, data scientists, machine learning researchers /engineers and business intelligence specialists.
Technology Development encompasses software engineering, web development, app creation, gaming and emerging technologies such as AI and robotics. Software developers are in high demand across all industries, from finance to healthcare to creative sectors. The work often involves coding, testing and deploying applications, as well as working in teams working with agile project management methodologies to build digital products.
Quantum Computing is a cutting-edge area of technology, which will revolutionise computing by harnessing the principles of quantum physics. Though still in early stages of practical deployment, it promises transformative impacts in many areas of work by speeding up processing times. Careers in this area often require advanced knowledge in physics, mathematics, and computer science, but it also presents long-term opportunities for interdisciplinary graduates interested in shaping the future of technology.
If you are interested in this area of work, these sectors might also be of interest to you:
- Marketing, publishing and journalism: Marketing for website design
- Engineering and manufacturing
- Politics, government and the public sector: National security and intelligence
If you would like to do further research into this sector, the following webpages may be useful.
- A summary of the Information Technology Sector on Prospects covering various role profiles and sector information.
- Here is a great recording on Panopto of an alumni panel on ‘Careers in Data and AI’ recorded in January 2025
- A summary of the Information Technology Sector on Target Jobs covering various role profiles and sector information.
- Jack Gibbs discusses his role as a Graduate Java Developer at Equiniti (subtitled).mov
- University of Exeter blog post about Telecomms careers
- University of Exeter blog post on data career opportunities
- University of Exeter blog post about Christopher Nash and his role with the Small Robot Company
- University of Exeter blog post about a career profile as a Corporate (Cyber) Security Consultant for Deloitte
- For career inspiration from our alumni, check out these IT, Data and Tech related alumni profiles
Making contacts is essential for success in this and other sectors. Many jobs in this field come through and speculative applications since many of the skills are in high demand, a network can be a useful way to uncover hidden opportunities which have not yet been advertised. You could start by speaking with the experts – find out what they did after graduation and contact them for advice.
Making contacts for work shadowing, informational interviews and speculative applications
To help increase your networks who may also be able to suggest ways to build experiences look at:
- Ask an Alum: A fuss-free way to connect with University of Exeter alumni to ask careers questions.
- Career Mentor Scheme: A popular employability scheme which matches a student or graduate with an experienced professional, for sector insight and one-to-one careers advice and guidance, over a 6-month period.
- Visit Tech South West’s membership page to discover organisations of interest in the tech sector. You can also sign up to email alerts to hear about networking events.
- Become a member of Tech Cornwall, Cornwall’s network in their thriving and growing tech sector.
The pages will help to build your confidence and learn how to reach out to others for valuable insights into their experiences in the role. Conversations of this nature are known as ‘Informational interviews’.
Recruitment fairs, careers fairs, open days, talks, and events give insights and opportunities to make contacts. For details of future events visit Handshake. If you have not yet activated your account, select the Single Sign On (SSO) option and follow the onscreen instructions.
Tech South West is the sector leading Technology network for the South West. With an impressive array of members, this organisation run an annual awards ceremony . You can sign up for alerts about their latest events and networking opportunities.
Tech Cornwall is the sector leading Technology network for Cornwall, offering training, events and job opportunities. There are lots of opportunities to network and find out more about the sector available here.
Many major graduate recruiters have policies and processes that are proactive in recruiting graduates from diverse backgrounds. To find out the policies and attitudes of employers that you are interested in, explore their equality and diversity policies and see if they offer ‘Guaranteed Interview Schemes’ (for disabled applicants) or are recognised for their policy by such indicators as ‘Mindful Employer’ or as a ‘Stonewalls Diversity Champion’.
The UK law protects you from discrimination due to your age, gender, race, religion or beliefs, disability or sexual orientation and more. For further information on the Equality Act and to find out where and how you are protected, as well as information on what you need to do if you feel you have been discriminated against, visit the Government’s webpages on discrimination.
To learn more about how to share details of a disability with an employer and the support you can receive applying for jobs and work experience visit our equality and diversity page.
Further information
There is still a significant gender gap (in terms of the numbers of women in tech careers. Therefore, larger businesses are aiming to bridge that gap through positive action:
- Cisco offers Women Rock-IT aiming at developing skills and knowledge about the IT sector through a range of free courses
- Code First Girls – An organisation on a mission to close the gender gap in tech by providing free education and employment opportunities
- Coding Black Females – The largest community of Black women in tech in the UK, offering events and support.
- Diversity in Tech is a site dedicated to helping close the diversity gap in the technology sector.
- On this DDAT site, you can explore video profiles of women who have forged IT and Tech related careers
- PWC – ‘Her Tech Talent’ aims to help Technology become more diverse and equal
- Stemettes – An award-winning social enterprise working to inspire and support girls, young women, and non-binary young people in STEM/STEAM.
- Women’s Engineering Society aims to empower women in engineering to reach their potential as well as support the engineering industry to be more inclusive.
Women in Tech UK – A collaborative community dedicated to empowering women in STEM through news, guidance, and events.
Action
Explore roles in the sector by visiting the areas of work below. Each profile covers typical duties and responsibilities, entry requirements, key skills required, professional development opportunities and links to finding both work experience and graduate roles.
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