Do you have a fascination of all things digital? Are you the go-to person when your friends and family have computer problems? If so, then a career in information technology may be your ideal profession. IT specialists are responsible for establishing various computer systems, creating and customizing software products and building databases that businesses rely on to organize and store vital information.
Information Technology Careers
As with any computer-related career, information technology professionals can concentrate in a wide variety of specializations, which include:
- Database Analyst – Designs, implements and maintains databases for a variety of organizations and businesses.
- Help Desk Technician – Creates and oversees end-user software applications.
- Information Systems Manager – Also known as I.T. Managers, these professionals oversee the daily management of a business’s I.T. systems, which may include operating systems, technical support, databases and servers.
- Multimedia Developer – Creates and implements media content for websites by using various programming applications.
- Network Administrator – Maintains and manages the LAN (Local Area Network) for businesses and organizations.
- Programmer – Outlines and creates software programs according to the requirements of a business or organization.
Additional I.T. careers include:
- System Administrator
- Web Programmer
- Webmaster
- Software Engineer
- System Analyst
- PC Support Specialist
- Network Engineer
Educational Requirements
Due to the broad range of information technology careers, the educational requirements can greatly vary. Typically, aspiring I.T. professionals should obtain a computer science degree; however, administration specialists often require specialized certification. Although real work experience can be used in place of traditional post-secondary education, having an accredited degree or certification can be tremendously beneficial for job seekers. Double-majors are often required for those who wish to work in specialized fields.
Certification
Certification may not be required for every information technology job; however, many employers use certifications to gauge the knowledge and ability of potential employees. Moreover, there are certain I.T. positions that require certification. For example, information security positions always require certification within a specified area of digital security.
Although not an industry-wide requirement, many system and network administration jobs are suggesting employees gain a related certificate. On the other hand, I.T. positions such as database administrators and software engineers are less likely to require certifications as college credentials and real-world experience are more valuable.
Salary
The salary ranges for IT careers are directly related to the exact position held, experience level and the employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, network and computer system administrators feature a median salary of $69,160 per year while computer and information system managers feature a median salary of $115,780 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics outlines other information technology career salaries that range from $46,260 for a computer support specialist to $100,660 for computer and information research scientists.