Promising IT Career Paths in Nepal
Modern society is tech-savvy and increasingly dependent on the use of technology, which has given rise to a demand for experts in the field of Information Technology. Thus, IT has become one of the most popular subjects of choice for students in Nepal. For those looking for a promising future, IT is the obvious answer for the way it only grows, showing no signs of stopping.
Moreover, the ever-changing world of Information Technology requires precise and comprehensive proficiency in Computer Technology, Multimedia, and Telecommunications as well as knowledge of Hardware Networking. IT professionals who can bring a difference are eagerly sought after by different types of leading organisations throughout the world. Ads posted in online job portals promise that the opportunities brought by a career in IT are plenty.
There are innumerable jobs that are somehow related to digital skills and technology. Currently, the IT industry is facing a natural shortage of competent human resources in Nepal. With most young Nepalese flying out to study abroad in the hopes of working and settling there, there are very few that are happy to stay back and build a lucrative career in Nepal itself. However, the potential is huge, and most of it remains untapped. We don’t realise how fast industries back home are growing and catching up with international trends. AI, drones, coding, digital marketing, 3D animation, and many such tech-related phrases may not quite be understood by all but are definitely familiar to most young people.
The idea that studying IT leads to getting a job in the field of IT is an old-fashioned myth; IT graduates can find work across industries like corporate groups, health organisations, software companies, financial institutions, education, government bodies, etc. Additionally, there’s always the possibility of going the startup way with an innovative idea brought to life with the help of technology.
A list of the most popular career paths for IT graduates in Nepal are as follows:
1. SYSTEM ANALYST
Put simply, System Analysts perform a feasibility study of systems. They make software requirement specifications based on the demand of the stakeholders. A systems analyst analyses problems, outlines solutions, recommends software and systems and coordinates development to meet business and other needs. They also assist programmers during the software development stage. In the context of Nepal, this job type has excellent scope in software companies.
2. PROJECT MANAGER
A Project Manager is responsible for executing an assigned project. The Project Manager coordinates the project=related communication with clients and leads the development team, classifies project work amongst the team members, tracks the growth of the projects, evaluates and reviews the growth of the project, and sees the project through until it is completed and handed over. In the context of Nepal, becoming a Project Manager is a great career path to follow, whether looking to join a software company or any other kind of company.
3. SOFTWARE DEVELOPER
A Software Developer is responsible for developing software for a company, its clients or the developer’s own clients who hire him or her on a freelance basis. Developers are expected to have good programming, problem-solving and analytical skills. Software developers can choose any development platform among VB.NET, Delphi, Java, Visual Basic (VB) and Oracle Business Intelligence, to name a few.
4. WEB DEVELOPER
A Web Developer is accountable for the development of websites and web applications. Web developers can choose amongst a wide array of programming languages as a development platform, namely: PHP, ASP.NET, ASP, JSP, Perl, and Ruby on Rails. There is a massive scope of PHP and Asp.Net in Nepal. A lot of software companies choose PHP as a development platform for its open source programming framework. Furthermore, PHP web developers can gain expertise in popular open source software like Joomla, WordPress, Drupal, Magento etc. Web developers working as a Joomla, WordPress, Drupal or Magento Expert can relatively earn more. It is also an added advantage to have fluency in PHP frameworks like Zend, CodeIgniter, CakePHP etc. There is a very high demand for PHP developers in software companies of Nepal. Web developers showing sufficient expertise in open source software and frameworks are in huge demand globally, and this job is only going to get more promising over the next few years.
5. WEB DESIGNER
A Web Designer is the one liable for creating a website. A capable Web Designer should be skilled in using Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks, HTML or CSS, and JavaScript or JQuery. Web Designers are usually expected to be artistic as well so that they can create attractive websites and interfaces.
6. 3D ANIMATOR
Working as a 3D Animator comes under the general career category of Multimedia Artists and Animators. These creative professionals help in 3D animation, motion graphic visuals, and computer-generated special effects using advanced software that they learn how to master and make the best use of. These visuals are then used to create high-quality commercials, music videos, films, and computer or mobile games.
7. SEO SPECIALIST AND/OR SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERT
IT graduates don’t have to stick to hardcore IT skills: they can pursue a career in the field of digital marketing and get hired as a Search Engine Optimization Specialist or a Social Media Marketing professional, too. They should have sufficient skills to carry out online marketing activities of businesses (for their websites) by making sure they appear in the organic search result of search engines. Search keywords are at the heart of this business. Another kind of digital marketing skill is making use of social media networking platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, and more to promote products or services online. Search engine marketing and social media marketing are both increasingly popular skills demanded by companies big and small, that want to grow their business, their brand and their customer base.
8. DATABASE DEVELOPER
When a web or cloud-based application is actively being used, all information is collected in what is called “the back-end” and to access, retrieve or update knowledge of database is a must. The importance of Database Developer is often understated but the fact is that no company can thrive without an expert Database Developer. For software development, this professional is as vital as meat-cutter is to butcher. A Database Developer should be skilled in database design, SQL (since it will be used while creating software), websites and web applications. Popular database systems used by database developers are MySQL and Oracle. With the rise in number and quality of development companies, there is definitely a sizeable demand for good Database Developers, and they are already in very short supply.
9. QA (QUALITY ASSURANCE) OFFICER
A Quality Assurance Officer is responsible for ensuring the quality of the software and web applications. They should be comfortable with various testing techniques, designing test cases and performing tests. With the growth in concern of quantity and competitiveness in business, Quality Assurance has become an indispensable part of the software development cycle.
10. TECHNICAL WRITER
A Technical Writer is mainly responsible for creating content and documentation within software and web applications. They are also responsible for creating user manuals. They make documentation of Web Applications and Software and are also responsible for writing user manuals along with writing press releases, video scripts, and other written content that needs to be drafted by someone technically sound.
No matter which IT career path you choose, Neosphere - an IT training institute in Nepal offers courses that help gain the right skills for it. Neosphere was launched late 2017 with support from academic partner Aptech International, but it has quickly built a unique learning environment that believes in hands-on practical training by working professionals and qualified instructors alike, to help young students launch their future-proof careers in Nepal. Nepal needs more ambitious and skilled people to foster growth back home, as opposed to going abroad to build a future elsewhere, because the potential here is great. Neosphere is happy to provide access to lucrative jobs in reputed companies to students. Helping shape digital futures is its motto, and by launching professional career-oriented study programmes, Neosphere is passionately contributing to the job market in Nepal, both in IT and beyond.