Non-coding careers in IT?

Mr.J

Mr.J

Skilled
I wonder about this whenever I read about IT sector because more often than not, it is implied that the news or article is related to coding and software development.

Can you guys help with list of non-coding areas in IT and where can one learn about it for people who want to make career in IT but are not interested in coding?
 
This is just my understanding.

For an engineer there are 3 key areas -

Technical Knowledge: Languages(C, C++, C#..), Tools(Rational Doors, Git, TFS, Starteam, Jira...), IDE(Visual Studio, Eclipse, XDeveloper interfaces..) etc
Domain Knowledge: You need to know anything and everything about your domain. I am medical guy so the entire hospital Information System is my area. I worked in Radiology, Lab equipments, Diagnostics, Administration..all in different companies spread across different continents. Standards like DICOM, HIPAA, HL7 etc.
Process Knowledge: How you develop the software. Like Waterfall, AGILE/SCRUM etc, Medical software guidelines like IEC 62304, CAPA's, various PLM systems, PMO's.

More experience you gain, you roles will vary. I have 2 roles right now. Software Build & release activities. So I need to take part in meetings, track status, ensure cadence, associated documentation for all those things. But since our cadence is bi weekly I have bit time. So I taken up development as well. So technically I am in all 3 now. otherwise, I never code. But i like coding..I am ok at it.
 
ryanrulez4ever said:
Virtualization /Storage
Project management
Data science
Application / hardware support
Network implementation / Design
Solutions architect
IP/IT security / network penetration testing
Datacenter management
VOIP implementation
IT automation
Click to expand...
Data science requires quite a bit of coding IMHO. Same for penetration testing.
 
In IT services company you end up writing average code anyways. It's nothing breakthrough or something.

My Portfolio has 7 teams 25 People across bunch of technologies. I see both Production Support and Development projects. Does not involve coding now but obv. over the years I've paid my dues so to speak. Client Engagements, Proposals, Revenue Management, People Management etc.

If you look at companies like Goldman Sachs etc. they have quite decent roles for Network Planning if you are into that kind of thing.

Techno-Functionally aligned folks move to Business Analysts roles after doing Domain certies. Industry is littered with guys who have moved to BA roles in PWC, Deloitte, Infor, EMC etc after gaining a few years experience. For e.g. Retail guys NRF; APICS; Sig Sigma Black Belts and what not. Some are completely into Infra implementation now. Some are ITIL folks. Product Specialists have expertise in Tools Products etc and are called upon during client pitch or in house development.

People in Biz Development/Core Consulting would generally be MBAs but it's not uncommon that people from Technical Projects have moved to these roles.

These things for a typical IT Services company.
 
Last edited:
Until 2 years ago, I used to look for such non-coding options as I used to hate coding. I couldn't understand head and tail of it. Then I was in a situation where I had no choice but to code. And now, I left my previous job because it had less of coding and more of non-coding stuff! I'm extremely passionate about coding now!

What I'm trying to tell you is, give coding a thought. By thought I mean actually code for few months then think about it. Remember, I have seen several ~27 year old coders who make $150K/annum (not Google or other such companies) but never a no coding guy who earns that high, that young. Its simply because there is more demand for programmers.
 
Are you talking from a freshers POV? If yes, then don't be surprised if you don't really get a choice. We recently hired a guy passing out next year - July 2016. We already have plans for him (non-coding btw ;) ). And that goes for other teams in my company too. Some of them have coding roles prepared for the incoming freshers.

This manifests even worse in service based company. They hire a ton of people, all of which are assigned projects on a random basis. Some coding, some non-coding.

That said, you do have options to change tracks once you get experienced. Then you are not only in a better negotiating position but also have a clearer idea if coding is for you or not.

PS: Don't fret over some people saying non-coders don't earn high. I can tell you from experience, most of it is untrue.
 
I remember when I was working in an IT firm, we had folks from National Institute of Fashion Technology in our company.
I don't recall exactly but they were into audio/visual design aspect of the software and portal and in general most happy and enjoying bunch (+never stay late at office) among the rest of gloomy staff (who typically never used to leave office before 8 pm, and also spend Saturday and Sunday).

The VP heading that group (for APAC region) was not more than 30-35.
 
ryanrulez4ever said:
Virtualization /Storage
Project management
Data science
Application / hardware support
Network implementation / Design
Solutions architect
IP/IT security / network penetration testing
Datacenter management
VOIP implementation
IT automation
Click to expand...

Solutions Architect's usually require coding exposure unless you are talking about those that are restricted to very specific areas like Infrastructure.

Information security guys may also need to have coding skills. Even if they don't do hands on coding, they may be required to review code.

Creative's and Technical writers are non coding roles in IT.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top