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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Computer Programmers in Somerset CLCI: CAV CRCI: D Think about the massive number of computers. Each one needs hardware and software to work effectively. Part of the job of a computer programmer is to modify software that is already available. Another part is to write new programs that help users do things more quickly and efficiently. It is important to remember that computer programming is just one of many IT jobs. See the Jobscope article on IT technicians for another example. To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT COMPUTER PROGRAMMERS IN SOMERSET Thousands of people do IT-related jobs in Somerset this means all sorts of Somerset organisations employ programmers and other IT staff. Some people just do programming. Others do programming as part of their job alongside all sorts of IT tasks. In Somerset jobs exist in councils, schools and colleges, government departments, manufacturing companies, finance firms and other big users of IT. Alternatively you can work for a smaller, specialist IT company that earns money writing programs for other businesses (such as accountants, solicitors and garages) You can also work for yourself on a self-employed, freelance or contract basis. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience at college/sixth form to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college/sixth form full-time to do A levels or a vocational A level/BTEC computing qualification   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   Good GCSEs in maths, English and other subjects   A level and BTEC National qualifications can help for some jobs   University qualifications open the way to many higher jobs with big businesses   NVQs, computer industry qualifications and software/hardware manufacturers courses can be done as you gain experience at work More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Many Somerset businesses have their own websites – from massive employers to village shops! WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice (but you are unlikely to start as a programmer at this level). You are more likely to start training at 18 (or over) on £150-200 per week. With experience pay can increase rapidly but there are major differences in earnings between companies (from the average to very high). FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   It’s a career that involves constant change. Don’t expect to stand still!   Hours can be long. You might have to work until the job is done and deadlines are met   It can be competitive. IT businesses often have to compete with each other to win new contracts   Learning new computing languages and skills keeps you ahead   You might need to switch jobs to develop your career. It’s possible to become self-employed, run your own business or to work on a freelance basis   If you are ambitious it’s vital to keep an eye on growth areas so you can plan your next move   Many programmers work in small teams so it’s important to be a team player   When applying for jobs take along examples of your own programs. This can impress employers and show what you can do WHO DOES THE WORK? Maxine (17) works as a technical support assistant with an IT company in Yeovil. She’s an apprentice and is currently doing NVQs in IT. In her own time Maxine is learning a couple of programming languages. This is because she sees her job as a stepping stone towards becoming a trainee programmer. She hopes this will be with her present employer but is prepared to look elsewhere for career development Luke (20), from Taunton, did a BTEC National computing course at college. Now he is working in the IT department of a retail company that has branches throughout the country. Once his programming training finishes Luke wants to work up the ladder and become a systems analyst. To help achieve this he plans to gain extra qualifications at college once a week More Info: A-Z careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use