IT Degree
Students who are interested in earning an IT degree are on the path to a bright future. IT degrees are required in numerous professions, from help desk and computer programming jobs, to teaching or working in schools and universities. If IT professionals can stay on top of technological trends and keep their skills current, they will reap the benefits in both salary and job security.
Students can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s IT degree at a local community college for a lower cost than what they would pay at a private school. They can also take advantage of the internet and earn an online college degree. It is important to verify that the IT program is accredited and leads to the certification that leaders in this field, such as Microsoft and Cisco, require of job applicants.
One of the latest trends is for students to combine their IT degree studies with business administration, health administration or global management. Although IT used to be a segregated department within companies, recently it has become more integrated into every aspect of the workplace. Since IT has gone mainstream, an employee or applicant with an IT degree has become a hot commodity. Students interested in pursuing an advanced IT degree may want to zero in on high-growth fields such as health care, which is predicted to remain strong in coming decades. New programs in health-care technology are cropping up to meet the growing demand for these specialists, who can expect to earn top dollar.
IT Degree Programs
An IT (Information Technology) degree is one of the most marketable degrees one can obtain. Employers are in need for people with computer sciences and information technology training and backgrounds. Jobs for information technology professionals will grow at a rate of 32 percent by the year 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. An IT degree best prepares students for the jobs that are most in demand in today’s tight labor market.
An IT degree is sometimes confused with a computer science degree. They are different. An IT degree program covers aspects of management and information theory; whereas a computer science degree studies the science behind computing. The focus in an IT degree program is on the business applications of computing, such as e-commerce, security, and technological infrastructure.
Many colleges and universities refer to their IT degree programs as Computer Information System programs. These programs are typically offered as a certificate program in addition to an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. An IT degree, particularly a bachelor’s or a master’s, usually has a focus or specialization. The following are examples of IT degrees offered at many universities across the country:
- Information systems security
- IT systems administration
- Multimedia management
- Network administration
- Programming
- Software analysis and development
An IT degree in any of these disciplines trains students in how to manage and communicate information and knowledge efficiently. Students who obtain their IT degree can find employment in businesses, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, and government agencies. IT professionals are often rewarded with higher salaries, more desirable projects, and better promotional opportunities as they obtain advanced and specialized degrees.
IT Careers
IT careers are among the hottest jobs in the country. This trend is purported to continue into the foreseeable future. IT is short for Information Technology. The field of information technology is incredibly vast, covering virtually all aspects of computers, mobile devices, and all other telecommunication devices that transmit data and information.
IT professionals manage all types of technology ranging from hardware and software, to administering and maintaining information systems and data constructs. IT professionals typically plan, develop, implement, and maintain an organization’s technological infrastructure.
Common IT career titles include: network engineer, database administrator, software engineer, architect, and project manager. Some areas within IT that are in particularly high demand are information security, computer gaming, and application development.
At many companies and organizations, the person who holds the highest ranking IT job is the Chief Information Officer (CIO), or Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Those individuals command salaries anywhere between $100,000 and $173,000 annually, according to PayScale.com. IT managers earn on average between $58,818 and $96,903 a year.
IT careers are a good fit for people who enjoy problem-solving and who have good technical (computer) skills. While many companies and organizations provide in-house training for employees who are interested in IT careers, a college education is beneficial. Most IT positions require a college degree, allowing for employment and advancement opportunities to increase in accordance with the level of education attained. Job prospects and the promise of lucrative salaries among IT professionals are great; therefore, colleges across the country are experiencing enrollment increases in their IT programs.
Information Technology Careers are Hot
Information technology careers are among the hottest today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job prospects for information technology will continue to grow at a significantly higher pace than other professions. Information technology careers will grow 32 percent between the years 2008 and 2018.
Information technology careers are appropriate for people who have strong computer skills, such as programmers, engineers, and architects. Even without those skills, there are many other information technology careers available. For example, information technology professionals who have strong project management skills are in high demand. These individuals have an understanding of what it takes to execute an information technology project, how to delegate the appropriate resources, and deliver the project on time and on budget.
Other skills that help build a successful career in information technology are problem-solving and communication skills. Information technology professionals seek ways to best transmit knowledge, information, and data electronically. The term information technology is broad and is used to describe professionals who develop, manage, and maintain information systems, hardware, software, and data constructs.
Information technology careers are varied and exist in all types of companies, organizations, and government agencies. It is no longer necessary to go to a technology company to pursue an information technology career; IT can be found in every sector.
Information technology careers are in demand in today’s tight labor market, they typically offer higher salaries than many other business positions, and there is plenty of room for advancement. Some common information technology careers include: entry-level programming, software engineer, project manager, database administrator, and information technology program manager.
Most people pursuing information technology careers have obtained a bachelor’s degree either in computer science, math, or engineering. While there may be entry-level help desk or technician positions available for individuals who have obtained an associate’s degree, more opportunities exist for employees who have attained their bachelor’s or master’s degree.