The Information Technology (I.T.) industry is a large industry. Over the past 50 years, it has shaped the modern world and still continues to change it.

The major segments in I.T. are hardware and software. Hardware includes the physical units of I.T. such as the monitor, laptop, modem, CPU, mouse, and keyboard. Software consists of products and services. Software products are packaged or ready-to-use software. Software services companies typically do programming for client companies on a contract basis. These companies take care of the client company’s ‘outsourced’ development and maintenance of software, training, and so on.

I.T. is a global industry: In 2007, the worldwide spending on I.T. was estimated to be $1.7 trillion.

Software is now an essential part of our lives. Commonly used software applications (such as electronic bills) are all around us. They help our daily lives function smoothly and also improve productivity of every business.

Some industries which use I.T. extensively include banking, finance, insurance and telecom. Some of the commonly used software applications in business are database systems, ERP, accounting and payroll, office automation (spreadsheet, word processing), CAD/ CAM, and so on..

Software is developed for different devices and ‘platforms’ such as PCs, the Web, mobiles, iPhones and gaming consoles. Software can also be classified for home and personal use or for business use. Operating system software, middleware or application software is another commonly used classification.

Software is written in ‘lines’ of code where each line is a set of logical instructions for the computer. There are many software ‘languages’ in which code can be written, for example, C++, Java, ASP and such others.

In early days, typical programs were small; even a program of 10,000 lines was considered big. Later, longer programs were developed, for example those for NASA’s moon program which ran into a million lines of code.

Software programs need to be written, as well as constantly modified and ‘debugged’ (or corrected).

Each year, thousands of people are employed in the I.T. industry, most of them new college graduates. Large firms too are hiring I.T. professionals in large numbers.

A career in the software industry means being a part of the most ‘happening’ industries of our times. There is no area today that is not or will not be touched in some way by the I.T. industry.

If you have an interest in solving challenging problems, I.T. is a great field to work.

IT is required in every industry. Today, the world is moving towards automation of skills, an area in which IT is urgently required.

Since IT is the leading industry of the economy, skilled professionals with expertise in high demand areas such as Programming, Technical Support, Engineering, Database, Information Warehousing, Networking, Web Development, Research, Internet and E-Commerce are urgently needed to create, operate, design, maintain, program and deploy information and communication technology solutions.

I.T. is the most in-demand career so there are many opportunities to earn good remuneration as compared to other industries. You also get many opportunities to travel abroad on-the-job or to find jobs anywhere in the world.

Global outlook/culture and world-class standards in functioning of most I.T. companies leads to greater work satisfaction. Also, I.T. companies are full of enthusiastic people who are fun to work with!

Technology continues to expand at a rapid pace, providing great opportunities for job growth.

The I.T. industry is huge and ever expanding. Most I.T. professionals work in offices in comfortable surroundings and are mostly employed in the I.T., telecom, banking and insurance, and BPO companies, among others.

Some of the skills possessed by good I.T. professionals are:

• Logical reasoning ability
• Numerical ability
• Imaginative mind
• Interest in problem-solving
• Interest in keeping oneself updated about new technology
• Good communication skills, written and oral, are an advantage