Career Advice Job Market Trend Report

Hi-tech hands are in demand

Information Technology

The IT industry has ample space to develop in Hong Kong as IT professionals are required in almost every industry. The city's busy aviation industry needs large numbers of IT professionals to help operate aircraft take-offs and landings. MTR trains will stop running if there is no one to help manage the system. As more movies use animation, IT staff are also required in the entertainment industry. Even TV stations are becoming more digitalised.

Career paths in the industry are also quite clear. Those working as operators in large enterprises have the chance of being promoted to managers, assuming they work hard and perform well. Some of my students have even received job offers from Silicon Valley companies such as Google.

A logical mind is a prerequisite for being successful in the industry because IT demands logic. Writing a programme also requires a detail-orientated mind and it is important to possess problem-solving skills, because you are the one who helps people solve them. You also need to have good communication skills and be a team player, as normally you work with large groups of people.

Dr Karl Leung Ping-hung, head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education
As told to Chiu Po-sze