How to become an IT specialist? What is the work content? Explanation of future potential

1. What is an IT specialist?

As the name implies, an IT specialist is a general term for specialists who have a high degree of specialization in a specific field of IT .
In addition, the IT Skill Standards (ITSS) established by IPA (Information-technology Promotion Agency) defines IT specialists as those who meet Level 3 or higher in six specialized fields .

These six areas of expertise will be explained in the next section, along with the concept of levels that indicate skill achievement.

Reference: IT Specialist Skills Area | IPA

1.1 Specialties of IT specialists

The specialized fields of IT specialists are broadly divided into six categories: “platform”, “network”, “database”, “application common infrastructure”, “system management” , and “security”. Details of each field are shown in the table below.

1.2 Job description and annual income of IT specialists

The role of an IT specialist is to meet the expertise required in each field and to become the core of the team and lead the project to success . The specific work depends on each specialty, but you are required to responsibly accomplish the contents listed in the table above.

Instead of being held accountable, IT specialists tend to have higher average annual salaries. According to the ” Results of Survey on Salaries of IT-related Industries
” released by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2017, the average annual income of human resources equivalent to IT skill standard level 3 is ” 5.76 million yen “.

On the other hand, according to the “2017 Survey Results of Private Salary Statistics” released by the National Tax Agency, the average salary of all salary earners who worked throughout the year was ” 4.32 million yen “.

2. What is “Level 3” required to identify yourself as an “IT Specialist”?

2.1 Quick reference table of various qualifications for ITSS and Information-Technology Engineers Examination

The corresponding exams for ITSS Level 3 and above are summarized in a quick reference table.

3. Qualifications to help IT specialists in their area of ​​expertise

Find out more about the qualifications that will help you learn your IT specialist’s specialty.

3.1 Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination [Level 2]

If you are an IT engineer, this is the first qualification you want to acquire. You will be able to acquire a wide range of basic IT-related skills and knowledge, which will be a solid foundation for becoming an IT specialist.

What is the pass rate for the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination? Summary of difficulty and study time

3.2 Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination [Level 3]

Many people take the exam with the aim of improving their level after gaining some experience as an IT engineer, and in addition to IT-related applied knowledge and skills, they can acquire a wide range of skills from management to management.
According to the IT Skill Standards (ITSS), this qualification, which is skill level 3, makes you an IT specialist.

Qualifications that are advantageous for finding employment or changing jobs? What is the Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination?

3.3 Oracle Master Gold [Level 3]

Oracle Master is a universal qualification that recognizes expertise in Oracle databases, which hold a large share of the world market.
There are four steps to Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum, but Gold and Platinum are eligible for high praise.
Expert knowledge about building and managing an Oracle database is required, and many practical exercises that are difficult without practical experience are given.

The range of questions is not as wide as that of database specialists, and the difficulty level is level 3, but if the IT specialist’s specialty is a database or platform, it can be said that it is a qualification that you want to acquire.

What kind of qualification is an Oracle Master? We have summarized from the difficulty level to the examination fee

3.4 Cisco Technician Certification CCNP [Level 3]

The Cisco Technician Certification is a universal qualification that certifies expertise in Cisco network equipment, which holds a large share of the world market.
There are five steps, including CCT, CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, and CCAr, but CCNP and above are qualified to receive high praise. Deep business knowledge about Cisco network equipment is asked, and problems using the actual simulator are also asked.
Since the range of questions is limited to Cisco products, it is not as wide as a network specialist and corresponds to Level 3, but it requires more practical knowledge about Cisco products.

What kind of qualification is CCNP? Difficulty level, study method and reference book for new exam

3.5 Network Specialist Exam [Level 4]

It is a qualification that can show a wide range of knowledge and expertise in networks.
The exam consists of multiple choice questions and written questions, and is broadly asked in three areas.

Although it is said to be a difficult exam, if the IT specialist’s specialty is network, it is a qualification that you definitely want to acquire.

How difficult is the network specialist exam? Commentary from pass rate to study time

Is the Network Specialist Exam Advantageous for Changing Jobs? I also investigated the annual income that I was interested in

3.6 Database Specialist Exam [Level 4]

It is a qualification that can show a wide range of knowledge and expertise in databases.
The exam consists of multiple choice questions and descriptive questions, including questions related to ER diagrams, normalization, conceptual data modeling, etc., as well as questions that require deep knowledge of performance design, operation management, database security, etc.
Although it is said to be a difficult exam, if the IT specialist’s specialty is a database, it is a qualification that you definitely want to acquire.

How difficult is the database specialist exam? Explain the pass rate and study time

3.7 Information Processing Security Supporter Examination [Level 4]

This is an exam to become an information processing security supporter (information security specialist).
As an information security technology expert, it is a qualification that can prove that you have the knowledge and practical ability to plan, define requirements, develop, operate, and maintain a secure information system.
The exam consists of multiple choice questions and descriptive questions, most of which are related to security such as information security, security management, and security implementation techniques, but also require network knowledge.
Although it is said to be a difficult exam, if the IT specialist’s specialty is security, it is a qualification that you definitely want to acquire.

The first IT professional! ?? Information processing security supporter examination registration system outline and difficulty level

3.8 IT Strategist Exam [Level 4]

An IT strategist is a qualification that can prove skills that combine expertise in both IT and corporate management.
In the examination, you will be asked about a wide range of knowledge about management and planning of management strategy to set the management policy of the company.
Skills that help companies formulate IT strategies based on their management strategies, solve management issues faced by companies, and optimize corporate systems are highly evaluated in consulting, corporate planning departments, information system departments, and so on.

What is the IT Strategist Examination / Advanced Information Processing Engineer Examination? Explains 8 categories and the difficulty of acquiring qualifications

3.9 System Architect Exam [Level 4]

It is a qualification that proves advanced expertise in system architects who lead accurate analysis of business requirements and design of system grand design according to business needs.
In the examination, you will be deeply asked about specialized business methods and business knowledge such as information systems and embedded systems, focusing on requirement definition and specification design.
In the rapidly changing IT industry, which has a wide range of practical skills related to the upstream process of the system, the expertise to realize system improvement and new system design is also useful to companies.

What is a system architect exam? I will explain the merits and difficulty of acquisition

3.10 Project Manager Exam [Level 4]

It is a qualification that can prove the management ability to manage and operate the entire project.
In the exam, questions are given from all areas related to project management, and in recent years security issues have also been emphasized. It’s a low pass rate and fairly difficult exam, but it’s a valuable qualification if you want to become a management specialist.

For studying for the project manager exam! Introducing from thesis countermeasures to recommended reference books

How difficult is the project manager exam? Explanation from pass rate to study time [2018 version]

3.11 Embedded System Specialist Exam [Level 4]

It is the only national qualification that proves the expertise of embedded engineers and IoT engineers who build embedded systems by properly combining hardware and software.
The exam asks questions about computer and system components, networks and security, and the design and construction of embedded systems.
In recent years, embedded software is indispensable for IoT technology, which has been gaining attention and rapidly developing, and the demand for embedded engineers with a wide range of knowledge and technologies will increase in the future.

What is the Embedded System Specialist Examination / Advanced Information Processing Engineer Examination? Explains 8 categories and the difficulty of acquiring qualifications

4. Examples of jobs for freelance engineers recommended for IT specialists

5. Frequently Asked Questions about IT Specialists

We answer common questions from those who are interested in IT specialists.

5.1 Who is or is not suitable for IT specialists?

An understanding of new technologies is essential for IT specialists. Therefore, it is suitable for those who can continue to hone their skills for the rest of their lives . In addition, IT specialists are required to have a high level of technical skills, so they are listed as part of the career path from engineers . Conversely, it would be a high hurdle for an inexperienced engineer to suddenly become an IT specialist. It is recommended to start with other engineer positions.

5.2 How to change jobs to an IT specialist?

To change jobs as an IT specialist, you need a high skill level. It is possible to pass an exam equivalent to an IT specialist even if you are inexperienced, but most sites require work experience and deeper business knowledge . It is recommended that you first become an IT engineer such as a network engineer and gain experience before changing jobs.

5.3 What is your career path from an IT specialist?

The career paths of IT engineers are diversifying year by year, but experience as an IT specialist is not wasted wherever you go. IT specialists with deep knowledge are useful in the field, and there are many people who are extremely advanced in technology as they are. However, if you want to advance your career from there, you can also use your business knowledge to move on to management systems such as project managers and IT architects . In some cases, we will expand our development technology horizontally and move on to full-stack engineers with a wide range of technologies.

6. Summary

If you want to become an IT specialist, you will improve your expertise in a specific field based on the knowledge and experience you gain while gaining work experience in system development. By aiming to acquire the qualifications mentioned above, you will be able to acquire knowledge and skills as a specialist.

In order to play an active role as an even higher level IT specialist, we will flexibly respond to the acquisition of new technologies while constantly grasping the trends of the industry, including the acquisition of highly difficult qualifications in specialized fields, and are professionals who have mastered that field. Let’s aim for.
In addition, there are many cases in which a career is built up as an IT specialist and the strength of his deep expertise is utilized to change his career to a project manager or IT architect.

Whether you are aiming to become an IT specialist or are currently active as an IT specialist, why not try to acquire qualifications that will be useful as an external skill proof by referring to this article.

Why don’t you take this opportunity to become a full-stack engineer whose demand is expected to continue?