Information And Technology

What You Need to Know About Entering an Information Technology Program

It’s fair to say that the information technology industry is one of the most important in existence. We’re living through an information revolution, and the demand for people who can manage, develop, and ensure the security of advanced computing systems continues to grow. Earning an IT degree is one of the best career moves you can make, and your options are many. Some of the most popular focus areas are network security, software development, and database administration.

Bachelor’s degrees are probably the most common ones earned in the IT field. Many of the fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs in the sector require a bachelor’s-level education. Earning a master’s degree is a good idea if you want to work in a highly specialized field, such as medical or scientific research. Certification is often required when working with specific systems and branded applications. Being certified is especially important for computer support specialists.

Among the core skills needed to thrive in the IT field are communication, organization, and critical thinking. It’s also helpful to be a good decision maker and problem solver. General knowledge of computer software and hardware, programming languages, and web technologies are also nice to have before pursuing an IT-related degree. You can expect to take core courses in math, science, and English in any IT degree program, followed by major-specific classes.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects strong job growth in the IT field from 2016-2026, with a few occupations standing out from the crowd. Information security analysts, who develop data security policies and upgrade related systems, are expected to see 37 percent growth. Computer systems analysts, who integrate business management with data analysis methods, are projected to see a 25 percent surge. On the whole, employment of IT professionals is expected to increase by 13 percent from 2016-2026, which is above the average growth rate for all jobs.

As of May 2018, the median annual salary for IT occupations was about $86,000. Computer support specialists earn a median salary of around $53,000. Software developers make a median salary of about $105,000. Wherever you choose to focus your IT studies, you can look forward to being in a healthy salary range upon graduation.

One of the best things about earning an IT degree is that the field is rapidly evolving. You can give yourself a broad base of knowledge through a bachelor’s degree program and then choose an area in which to specialize. Certifications and continuing education can allow you to continue progressing in your career as the IT sector expands.

A rosy job growth outlook, healthy salaries, and emerging tech of all kinds combine to make information technology a prime career option. There’s never been a better time to earn a degree in the field. If you’re highly organized and tech-savvy, getting an IT education can be your ticket to lasting success.

FIND COLLEGES FOR INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY

9 sponsored schools found

  • Centura College

    Centura College

    Campus
    4455 South Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452
    Private For-Profit
    27 Programs
    0 Online programs
  • Davenport University

    Davenport University

    Online
    6191 Kraft Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
    Private Non-Profit
    0 Programs
    48 Online programs
  • Liberty University

    Liberty University

    Online
    1971 University Blvd. Lynchburg, Va. 24515
    Private Non-Profit
    0 Programs
    11 Online programs
  • Purdue University Global

    Purdue University Global

    Online
    9000 Keystone Crossing #800, Indianapolis, IN 46240
    Private For-Profit
    0 Programs
    32 Online programs
  • Southern Careers Institute

    Southern Careers Institute

    Online
    Campus
    1701 W Ben White Blvd. Suite 100 Austin, TX 78704
    Private For-Profit
    14 Programs
    5 Online programs
  • Southern New Hampshire University

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Online
    2500 N River Rd, Hooksett, NH 03106
    Private Non-Profit
    0 Programs
    87 Online programs
  • Southern Technical College

    Southern Technical College

    Campus
    1485 Florida Mall Ave, Orlando, FL 32809
    Private For-Profit
    10 Programs
    0 Online programs
  • UEI College

    UEI College

    Campus
    Multiple Locations in California
    Private For-Profit
    11 Programs
    0 Online programs
  • Western Governors University

    Western Governors University

    Online
    Millcreek, Utah, United States
    Private Non-Profit
    0 Programs
    14 Online programs