IT system manager Grayson Bowler started his career at John Lewis, working in retail on the shopfloor. He loved the job but became increasingly interested in computers. As he developed his knowledge, he leave his job and study for a master's degree in computing.
After graduating, Bowler returned to John Lewis – this time to a job in the IT department. After initially helping on a number of projects, he moved into IT architecture, where he has worked for three years. Here he shares his advice on getting into IT architecture.
What is IT architecture?
IT architecture is the design of IT solutions for an organisation, making sure it operates as effectively and efficiently as possible. An IT architect will need to have a broad view of a company's IT infrastructure and requirements, and will develop solutions to meet the company's changing needs. The job also involves predicting the kind of systems and technology that the company will need to develop to meet future business demands.
Experience, experience, experience
It's difficult for a university graduate to step straight into IT architecture because experience in a number of disciplines across IT is necessary to provide an informed view. So my advice for graduates is to gain as much experience as possible, within analyst and IT coding roles, as well as working on both large and small solutions for programmes. Five years of this experience will usually give you the breadth of knowledge and understanding to become a credible architect. The more solutions you can work on the better.
Why is retail such an interesting career option for IT architects?
It depends what your interests are, but I like working for a retailer because it combines my interest in IT with a wider business perspective. Many professionals find IT architecture more rewarding when working for an organisation or business that is interesting or inspiring.
Working on IT architecture within this type of organisation is different from at a technology company such as Google because you get to develop in-house solutions, although to do this you can adopt solutions from technology companies such as IBM or Oracle and integrate them into existing systems. Having worked on the shopfloor, it's interesting to see the result of our work through tangible, real-world applications: there's such a buzz seeing things brought to life.
The challenges
One of the key challenges of working in IT architecture is that it is our job to predict trends and it's hard for anyone to know what the future will be. There always seems to be a million technical solutions that could be the next big thing, so picking the right one needs careful examination and thought. Another challenge is keeping up with the fast pace of the retail industry.
The benefits
One huge benefit for me is being given the chance to shape the future of the business and to create an IT solution for that. The satisfaction you get when you predict a trend, develop an IT solution for it and then see it brought to life is so fulfilling.
It also gives you lots of preparation for future careers. Many people with a background in IT architecture go on to secure senior roles in other parts of the business. The skills the role gives you – analysis, project management, leadership and teamwork – are perfect for high-profile business development roles within any organisation.
Grayson Bowler is an IT systems manager at John Lewis
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