Working in IT means many things. You can work in areas such as computer support, cyber security, data, and cloud computing. It's easy to imagine that working in information technology (IT) means working in a tech office in a big city. But that's not all true. Burning Glass Technologies found that over 90% of his IT skills and jobs in the US are outside the tech sector. Also, non-technical IT jobs are growing he more than 50% faster than technical IT jobs. So this gap tends to widen. IT skills are also needed in places like small town hospitals, municipalities, banks and universities across the country.
However, the world of IT offers a wide range of career paths in different industries. An IT professional may specialize in cybersecurity to keep computers safe, cloud computing to facilitate access to information, or help her desk role to assist an organization in its day-to-day operations.
IT career paths
Understanding the available avenues can be a useful first step in starting a career in IT. Not sure where to start? Many IT professionals start in the role of generalist, covering a variety of topics such as: B. A helpdesk technician or IT staff. Although not required in many cases, her entry-level IT certification can be obtained to fill any of these roles. Once you've gained some experience and have a better idea of what you enjoy doing, you can consider pursuing a career in a more specific field.Check out his entry-level IT jobs. , so you can see what other options you have if you're just getting started.
Employment outlook information is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and is for the period 2021-2031 unless otherwise specified.
1. Computer support
Many people in the early stages of their IT careers are in computer support roles, helping with various aspects of computer operations. From there, you can specialize in narrower areas such as cybersecurity or networking, or progress into computer support and become a senior or manager.
- Salary: $62,760
- Projected job growth: 6%
- Early career jobs: IT support technician, desktop support technician, help desk technician, IT associate
- Mid-career or senior jobs: Senior help desk support technician, service desk supervisor, support desk manager
- Getting started: If you’re just starting out, getting an entry-level IT certification can bring you the skills you need.
2. Cybersecurity
Engaging in cybersecurity means protecting computer systems, devices and sensitive information from malware, unauthorized access, damage and data breaches. According to Global Knowledge, a specialist IT development company, cybersecurity is one of the two areas that will see the greatest demand in IT (the other being cloud computing).
- Salary: $78,480
- Projected job growth: 35%
- Early career jobs: Information security analyst, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer
- Mid-career or senior jobs: Senior cyber engineer, information security manager, ethical hacker
- Start: Understanding the basic principles of cybersecurity will help launch a career in this field. Consider gaining experience with an entry-level certification such as CompTIA Security+ or a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification.
3. Networks and systems
Network IT professionals deal with network-related tasks or hardware, while systems professionals deal with servers and computer systems. Roles can overlap, especially in smaller companies. You can start as an analyst or administrator and become a network engineer or systems engineer or architect.
- Salary: $80,600
- Projected job growth: 3%
- Early career jobs: Network administrator, systems administrator, network implementation technician, systems analyst
- Mid-career/Senior positions: Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, Network Security Engineer, Cloud Network Engineer, Senior System Administrator, Computer Network Architect
- Start: There are several certification options for networks and systems, including CompTIA Server+ and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Otherwise, starting as a generalist in an IT helpdesk, he can progress to one of these specialties.
4. Software development
A software developer or software engineer creates computer programs that are used to perform various tasks. Internet browsers, music streaming services, and online video conferencing apps are all examples of software. Software development can pave the way for many different industries, such as finance, video game development, and technology.
- Salary: $120,730
- Projected job growth: 25%
- Jobs: Software engineer, software developer, senior software engineer
- Start: Learning the programming languages used in software development is key to getting a job in this field. Start with the commonly requested ones such as Python, Java, Ruby, etc.
5. Web development
Working in web development means being responsible for creating and maintaining websites and phone applications. Web developers can be front-end or back-end developers. H. The website's front interface and/or behind-the-scenes mechanisms.
- Salary: $79,890
- Projected job growth: 23%
- Jobs: Web developer, web designer, front-end developer, back-end developer, full stack developer, front-end engineer, back-end engineer, full-stack engineer
- Start: Whether you're self-taught or have a degree in computer programming, web development jobs often prioritize relevant experience over certifications. Take courses in web programming languages like Python, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML to get you started with the basics. From there, you can try building your own his website or application before applying for an entry-level job.
6. Data
The proliferation of internet-connected devices has given businesses access to unprecedented amounts of data about their customers, services, and other business drivers. And while data is not traditionally his IT specialty, the growing demand for data skills has made data a solid career option for those looking for a job in IT. Working with data includes maintaining hardware and security as a data engineer, or sifting through data to find patterns and insights as a data analyst or data scientist.
- Salary: $96,710
- Projected job growth: 9%
- Early career jobs: Data center technician, database administrator, data analyst
- Mid-career or senior jobs: Data scientist, data engineer, data architect
- Start: If you're interested in becoming a data engineer, a background in IT support may be helpful. If working directly with data fascinates you, consider a data analytics certification such as the IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate or the Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate.
7. Cloud computing
Cloud computing, along with cybersecurity, is the most important technical area of IT and has been identified by Global Knowledge [8] as having the greatest demand. A career in cloud technology typically involves programming in cloud software platforms such as Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.
- Salary: $81,435
- Projected job growth: 27% (LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report)
- Early career jobs: Cloud engineer, cloud computing programmer
- Mid-career or senior jobs: Cloud architect, cloud consultant
- Start: If you want to get started with cloud computing, you probably need cloud-specific knowledge. Earn cloud certifications or find coursework to complete.
Getting started
If you don't know where to start, the basics are a good place to start. Check out the Google IT Support Professional Certification, which requires no prior knowledge.
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