The Job and What's Involved
An internet/web professional may perform one or all of the following roles:
- a web designer, responsible for the design, layout and coding of web pages.
- an information architect, who plans how content will be managed and displayed.
- a webmaster or web developer, dealing with the more sophisticated websites that handle online enquiries, search engine optimisation and web hosting.
- an account/project manager, coordinating all these aspects over different projects.
In small companies they may have some involvement with delivery and sales procedures.
In designing or re-designing a website, the account/project manager first talks to their client to find out what their needs are. They might discuss:
- The type of people or organisations the site is targeted at.
- What kind of computer technology they are likely to use.
- What information the site should include and how it should be presented.
- Text style, fonts, colours and page backgrounds.
- Icons, logos and graphics.
- Use of technical elements such as CSS, JavaScript, databases, frames, tables, lists and hyperlinks.
- Animation, audio and video sequences.
Once the draft site has been approved by the client, a simple website can be written using codes such as HTML (hypertext markup language), CSS (cascading style sheets) or a scripting language such as javascript or php. Designers code the links to other sites and add email links, interactive forms and site counters so that clients can see how many people visit their website.
Websites can be created using software that takes over much of the routine work. Specialist graphics packages may be used to prepare images and animations. Web professionals can then spend more time on web development and troubleshooting technical problems.
Trial versions may be set up for sample user testing and evaluation. Finally, the site is checked for spelling, punctuation and grammar, and tested using different browsers and settings. The last stage is to upload the site onto a server and register it with different search engines.
The web professional may provide maintenance and updates for sites that have already been established.
A web professional might work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, possibly with some evenings and weekends. They normally work in an office. Self-employed web professionals work whatever hours are necessary to meet their workload. They could work from home.
Some time is spent in meetings, sometimes at a high level of management. The work can be stressful as deadlines are involved.
Education and Training
Most internet/web professionals have a degree, HND or HNC. Computer science, 3D design and graphic design are among the most useful subjects.
It is possible to begin training for this work straight from school ideally with good GCSE's/S grades in English, maths, IT and science. Some employers recruit people with A levels or equivalent qualifications as trainee programmers, who then go on to become internet/web professionals.
It is important to build up a strong portfolio of experience in designing web pages and this may compensate for lack of formal qualifications. A personal website with an online CV or career profile and hyperlinks to other websites produced is useful and can be accessed directly by potential employers.
- A degree requires at least two A levels/three H grades and five GCSE's/S grades (A-C/1-3), usually including English and maths. Alternative qualifications include BTEC/SQA national awards or AVCE/GSVQ Level III.
- For BTEC/SQA higher national awards, applicants need at least one A level/two H grades and three GCSE's/S grades (A-C/1-3) in other subjects, sometimes including English and maths, or alternative qualifications.
- Web development, web design, multimedia design, and web content management are examples of possible subject choices at degree or HND level.
Other full-time college courses include:
- BTEC national diplomas in subjects such as computer studies or information technology. Applicants usually need four GCSE's/S grades (A-C/1-3) including art and design, a BTEC first award or an Intermediate GNVQ.
- SQA National Certificate modules in Information Technology. Individual colleges may set their own requirements.
- AVCE/GSVQ Level III in Information Technology or Art and Design. Check the entry requirements with colleges and schools.
Graduate apprenticeships in IT may be available for young people in England.
Apprenticeships which may be available in England are Young Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships. To find out which one is most appropriate log onto www.apprenticeships.org.uk or contact the local Connexions Partnership.
Apprenticeships may be different, depending on where people live. In Scotland they are Skillseekers - contact Careers Scotland www.careers-scotland.org.uk for further information; in Wales, Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships - contact Careers Wales www.careerswales.com; and in Northern Ireland, Modern Apprenticeships - contact COIU www.delni.gov.uk.
Adult Entry
There is no set age limit for starting in this work. Mature applicants may be valued for the experience they can offer, but people past their mid-30s may find problems getting in.
Universities and colleges may accept mature applicants for courses without the usual entry requirements, particularly if they have relevant qualifications or experience. They may also accept an Access course.
Training
The majority of training is done on the job, with short courses (in-house or external) to cover technical training on specialist new systems and new code.
Internet/web professionals may work towards NVQ's/SVQ's at Levels 2 to 4 in the areas of information technology or design. A qualification from a software company such as the Certified Internet Webmaster certification is likely to aid career development.
Personal Qualities
Internet/web professionals need:
- creativity and imagination
- strong design ability and ideally experience of using graphics packages
- confidence and calmness under pressure
- good presentation skills
- to have an in-depth understanding of how the internet works
- to keep up to date with changes in technology
- good verbal and writing skills
- to enjoy solving problems
- to develop new methods of web-user interactivity
- to be able to work to deadlines
- to be able to work in a team
Prospects
In large companies and organisations there may be opportunities for promotion to project manager level. Web professionals may choose to move into related skills areas within IT.
For professionals working on a freelance or contract basis, experience and a good reputation lead to better rewards.
Get Further Information
British Computer Society, 1 Sanford Street, Swindon SN1 1HJ Tel: 01793 417424
Website: www.bcs.org.uk
British Interactive Media Association (BIMA), Briarlea House, Southend Road, South Green, Billericay CM11 2PR Tel: 01277 658107 Website: www.bima.co.uk
e-skills UK, 1 Castle Lane, London SW1E 6DR Tel: 020 7963 8920
Website: www.e-skills.com
NCC Education, The Towers, Towers Business Park, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury,
Manchester M20 2EZ Tel: 0161 438 6200 Website: www.nccedu.com
Other Websites
Certified Internet Webmaster Qualification - www.ciwcertified.com
Information & web development for young people and beginners - www.webgenies.co.uk
Careers information and vocational qualifications change rapidly. The information in this career note was accurate at the time of going to print, but readers should check it with professional bodies or careers advisers before making decisions.
