Careers in Digital Technologies
Welcome to the Digitech Careers Modules
This set of learning modules is designed to help you and students at your school make connections with careers in the various fields of Digital Technologies
Who made this?
This resource was developed in 2021 by professional learning providers and teachers at Digital Learning and Teaching Victoria (DLTV), the subject association for Digital Technologies teaching in Victoria.
These resources were developed in partnership with the Mathematical Association of Victoria (MAV)
Who is this for?
The content in this resource is designed to benefit teachers and students of classes at the secondary level. Homeroom teachers and careers teachers in particular would find this relevant.
What do the modules cover?
Terminology used in these modules
Students and teachers may recognise the terms ICT, STEM or Digital Technologies being used or offered as courses in their school. In the Victorian Curriculum the terms can be differentiated by considering ICT as using digital tools and services safely and effectively, such as using presentation software, understanding licenses of digital assets or editing video. Digital Technologies, on the other hand, is effectively a computer science curriculum wherein students understand digital systems, process data and create digital solutions incorporating coding. Both areas consider the impact Cyber Security has on the technology they are using or creating.
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and is a broad umbrella that is often used to describe careers in the Technology field.
In industry the terms are more interchangeable for instance, CSIRO reports on and highlights the demand for digital skills https://digitalcareers.csiro.au/en/Job-data-visualisation and show infographics related to job demand in ICT. They also feature a video 'Our Digital Career' which is an excellent overview. Another excellent resource can be found at the 'CSIRO Career match' page.
My future, Australia's national career Information Service, places many of the ICT/Digital Technology careers under a heading of 'Professional, scientific and technical services' which include Software and applications programmers, ICT support technicians, ICT Managers, Multimedia and web developers.
The Australian Computer Society (ACS) reports on 'The strong, ongoing demand for ICT/technology workers and skills is consistent with the role that digital technologies play in driving Australia’s economic health'
So, when exploring the modules be aware of that and try using alternative names for industries and jobs when searching. Some examples you might consider searching for could include ........ Software engineers, games developer, ICT hardware engineer, multimedia designer, network manager, security analyst, web developer etc. The diagram below gives a good list of job titles to consider.
This diagram gives an excellent overall picture of careers available in ICT/Digital Technologies. For the full interactive wheel go to, https://www.qgcio.qld.gov.au/information-on/ict-careers-and-skills-framework
"The ICT Careers Wheel" is a derivative of "ICT career streams" by QGCIO and is licensed under CCBY4.0
How it works
The Modules
Each module comprises;
A video interview of a professional currently working in an ICT/Digital Technologies career
Activities for students to pursue related to the video
Downloadable teaching ideas, lesson plans and activities
Ideas and prompts for further research
Further resources
Teachers may like to explore each module in turn or, alternatively ask students to individually explore a module of their choice. Another approach could see students in groups completing a module and presenting their findings to the class. Please adapt as you see fit to suit your classes
Let's get started
Module 1: Web Design
Web Designers create the web pages we explore for information and enjoyment Some designers work with graphics, photography, audio and design elements to create a web page for a variety of clients. Others find the coding skills of creating a web page a great challenge.
In the video interview Chris Collins from tranc.com discusses his career as a web and multi-media designer.
Module 4: Algorithimics /Coding Careers
Do you have a cause that you are passionate about? Perhaps learning a coding language will allow you to develop an inspirational app to help others.
Caroline Setiawan is a Software Engineer currently working for the company Cultureamp.
Caroline talks about the many highlights of her career including how she moved into software development from a career in marketing..
Module 2: Robotics Careers
Robotics is a rapidly expanding field that has the potential to change many aspects of future employment. Consider some of the world wide online shopping distribution centres or large scale manufacturers for inspiration.
Nicci Rosnouw CEO and an an entrepreneur at Expatec, a robotics company specialising in social, service and telepresence robots talks about her work.
Module 5: Teaching and Learning Career
Have you considered inspiring the next generation of students? The use of Technology in classrooms around the world has transformed education.
This module features interviews with principal Corrie Barclay and investigates his career journey as a teacher passionate about Technology in education. Corrie contemplates how education might look in the next few years and the influences some technologies may have in the classroom.
Module 3: Cybersecurity Career
Who keeps our information safe from online hackers? More and more threats to data and criminal activity have made a career in cybersecurity an exciting and client focussed one. New challenges arise frequently and continual learning and skill development is a feature of work in the cybersecurity field.
In this interview Emily Pendlebury from Cybercx discusses how she came to be involved in the cybersecurity field.
Module 6: Game Design Career
What are some of the pathways into a career in the Gaming Industry? How could you turn an interest in Graphic Design into career that encompasses programing, planning and working within a vibrant team and industry?
This module features Penny Davison, a game designer working with EA Firemonkeys in Melbourne. Penny describes how a love of playing games grew into becoming a game designer.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash