Interested in studying IT?
Here’s where it can take you.
As one of the fastest-growing fields with huge demand for skilled professionals, studying Information Technology is a surefire way to launch a rewarding career.
From software engineering and UX design to systems analysis and data science, there are loads of possible avenues to pursue – and it all starts with a strong educational foundation.
So, where can this evolving field take you? Who better to ask than a graduate of the Master of Information Technology? Swati Bharti is rapidly progressing at one of Australia’s most successful financial technology firms. She shares her journey through postgraduate study at UNSW and what this innovative program has unlocked for her, professionally and personally.
Swati, what interests you about Information Technology?
“I love Information Technology because of its dynamic nature. It is always evolving with new tech, which makes it exciting. I’m fascinated by the problem-solving skills that it requires and I love the satisfaction that comes with using my own logic to solve complex problems.”
Tell us a little bit about your decision to study a Master of Information Technology.
“My journey with computer science began during my undergraduate studies. I was very interested in learning programming languages. My aim was to learn the basics so I could deepen my knowledge at a later stage.
Before starting the Master of Information Technology, my father and I researched the potential benefits it could offer me professionally. One of the things I liked is that it seemed to open up a wide range of career paths and had an abundance of job opportunities. Every field in this digital age requires IT professionals to move and grow fast. Then, there was the potential for a high-paying career, which could provide me job security and financial stability.”
What was your experience like studying IT at UNSW?
“What I liked most was the variety and flexibility of the courses. The university offers many subjects, so I could pick and choose what I want to study based on my interests and career goals.
At first, I thought I wanted to specialise in Data Science, but after taking a required maths course, I realised it wasn't for me. Being able to change my course choices was really helpful. I decided to go for a general IT degree instead, which meant I could look at a wider range of jobs.
Another great thing about UNSW is that they offer dual degrees, which isn't very common at other universities. This gives students the chance to learn more skills and opens up more job opportunities.
Plus, when I started at UNSW, I was really impressed by the quality of the course materials and the support from the university. The resources they provided were really helpful and allowed me to be self-sufficient.
Overall, it was the combination of flexible course selection, the opportunity for dual degrees and the strong focus on practical learning that made studying at UNSW an attractive choice for me.”
How has studying a master’s at UNSW added value to your career?
Getting my Master's degree has helped my career in many ways. First, it built on what I learned in my Bachelor's degree back in India, giving me a deeper understanding of Information Technology.
What I really liked about the UNSW degree was how hands-on it was. The assignments were tough sometimes, but they pushed me to think hard. Now, I can see that the skills and ways of thinking I used in those assignments are really useful in my job.
The wide range of courses I took at UNSW also gave me more career options and enabled me to adapt to different roles within IT. And of course, having a degree from UNSW helped me get a job at a good company. Employers know that UNSW gives students a thorough, practical education, which gave me an edge when I was job hunting.
Tell us a little about your current role in IT?
“I'm currently working as a Software Engineer at Intuit in the QuickBooks team – a leading financial software company. I was recently promoted to “Software Engineer 2”. My role involves a lot of coding, understanding project requirements and documenting software specifications. I write and maintain code to ensure our software runs smoothly and meets the needs of our users.
I also work in an agile development environment, following the principles of Scrum. We review and evaluate our software requirements regularly to make sure we're always working on the most important tasks.
Another part of my job is resolving defects or bugs in our software, both in the production and pre-production stages. This involves troubleshooting issues, finding the root cause and fixing it to improve the overall quality of our software.
My time at UNSW prepared me well for this role. The practical, hands-on approach to learning gave me a solid foundation in coding and software development. The challenging assignments helped me develop strong problem-solving skills, which I use daily when troubleshooting software issues.”
What advice would they give to fellow students hoping to study this degree?
“My advice is to go for it! If you like solving problems and thinking logically, you'll really enjoy this field. Plus, it can lead to a great career where you can earn a good salary.
Yes, it's going to be tough. You'll have hard assignments and you'll need to understand some complex ideas. But these challenges will help you become a skilled professional. They'll give you the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for.
This degree can lead to lots of different job opportunities, so you can choose a career that you're really interested in. Whether that's software development, data analysis, cybersecurity or artificial intelligence, there are lots of exciting options. So, don't be afraid to take on the challenge.
Stay curious and keep learning!”
Interested in exploring a career in IT or computing? Take a look at out key study areas or check out the Master of Information Technology to follow in Swati’s footsteps and take the next step in your IT career.
UNSW now offers a Graduate Certificate in Information Technology giving you critical skills and knowledge needed for today's workplaces in a shorter duration for those unable or not ready to commit to a Master's degree.
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Interested in exploring a career in IT or computing?
Visit our School of Computer Science and Engineering to take a look at the key study areas we offer, or check out the Master of Information Technology to follow in Swati’s footsteps and take the next step in your IT career.
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