Should you go to school for a career in Information Technology?
Should You Go to School for a Career in Information Technology?
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66% of IT pros we talked to plan to stay in the field for the rest of their career.
Information technology is one of those career fields that you kind of get to try before committing to. Because almost everything happens virtually these days—from dating to banking to gaming to shopping —you’ll get a pretty good idea of whether or not you’re into it before it’s time to think about a career.
If you’re happy to download apps rather than build them and gravitate toward only the most intuitive, WYSIWYG tech available, you’re probably not walking around thinking you want to be a programmer. If, on the other hand, you can’t help viewing the source of every webpage you visit (and then thinking about how you could improve the code it’s built on) you might want to think more seriously about an information technology career.
Think about it: you have the opportunity to take your aptitude for technology and do more with it than set up your mom’s Amazon Echo.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations,” adding approximately 577,100 new jobs in that time period. The benefits are pretty good too: the median wages for someone working in IT was $84,580 in May 2017, almost $50,000 more than the median wage for all occupations. And even so, 2016 research by Robert Half Technology reports 68 percent of companies struggle to find qualified IT candidates. So what are you waiting for?
Still trying to figure out if a career in information technology right for you? Here are a few things to consider:
Do you like solving problems? A big part of most IT careers is seeing something wrong, figuring out what’s causing it, finding a way to fix it, and making sure it doesn’t happen again next time. If you don’t get frustrated by tough challenges without easy answers, you might have a perfect personality for a career in IT.
Do you like talking to people? If you’re thinking about a career in IT just so you can sit behind a computer with headphones on all day, you’re in for a rude awakening. Okay, to be fair, there is a good amount of quiet headphone time. But there’s also a lot of listening to, talking with, and explaining computers, networks, and systems to end users. To be successful in IT, you need to know how to take your vast technical knowledge and translate it so other people can understand.
Are you easily distracted? If so, some careers in IT might not be ideal for you. If you’re a computer programmer or web developer, you’ll probably spend hours every day combing through thousands of lines of code. People who like that kind of heavy concentration will probably enjoy those jobs a lot more than those who don’t.
Are you good at multitasking? Those thousands of lines of code? You’ll probably get pulled away from them what feels like thousands of times every day. Your colleagues will rely on you to answer their computer questions, fix their websites, and install their software—and they’ll call or email you every time they have trouble. You’ll need to be able to switch gears between your larger, behind-the-scenes tasks and those calls for help without losing too much productivity.
Do you love learning? No matter how naturally technology comes to you, it can be difficult to feel like a true IT expert. That’s because technology is changing constantly. “Hardware and software vendors continually upgrade their products. New IT megatrends miraculously appear, become the primary industry workhorse, and eventually fade away as an out-of-date legacy,” says ITWorld. If this excites you rather than scares you, it’s probably time to check out some of your career options in the information technology field.
What Are Some of My Career Options in the Information Technology Field?
If you think a career in the mechanical sciences is right for you, there is no shortage of ways to get there—and no shortage of careers that might be a great fit. Career colleges and technical schools around the country offer degree- and non-degree-granting programs, on campus and online, that can get you on the path to an amazing career in the mechanical field.
Think the word “mechanical” means your only choice is a job under the hood of a car? Think again. Check out just some of your career options in the mechanical sciences field and what they would mean for your education, your salary potential, your job prospects, and your everyday life:
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, the typical entry-level job requires a master’s degree
How much money could I make? $114,520 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing much faster than average from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
Computer and information research scientists “invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology,” says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. They study and solve complex problems in computing, across fields like business, science, and medicine.
As a computer and information research scientist, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Exploring issues in computing and developing theories and models to address those issues
- Helping scientists and engineers solve complex computing problems
- Inventing new computing languages, tools, and methods to improve the ways people work with computers
- Developing and improving software systems that make up the modern computing experience
- Designing experiments to test the operation of these software systems, then analyzing the results
- Publishing my findings in academic journals and presenting them at conferences
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Research Scientists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm
Computer Network Architects
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $107,650 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing about as fast as average from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
Most computer network architects work full-time building data communication networks ranging from small connections between two offices to global cloud infrastructures. After building the networks, they then manage and troubleshoot them, and analyze data to anticipate their organizations’ future needs.
As a computer network architect, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Creating plans and layouts for data communication networks
- Presenting those plans to management and explaining why they are in the organization’s best interest
- Designing networks with information security at top of mind
- Upgrading routers, adaptors, network drivers, and more to support computer networks
- Researching new networking technologies to make sure my networks are scalable for the future
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Network Architects, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm
Computer Programmers
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll probably need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $82,240 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Declining in demand from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
Computer programmers write and test the code that apps and software programs run on. They take the program designs created by software developers and engineers and turn them into instructions a computer can follow. Then they test the newly created apps and programs to make sure they work correctly—if not, they check the code for mistakes and fix it as needed.
As a computer programmer, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Writing programs in computer languages like C++ and Java
- Updating and expanding existing programs
- Testing programs for errors and fixing faulty lines of computer code
- Creating and testing code in an integrated development environment (IDE)
- Using code libraries to simplify the writing
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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Programmers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm
Computer Support Specialists
Do I need to go back to school? You’ll probably need a bachelor’s degree, but an associate degree or postsecondary classes might be enough
How much money could I make? $52,810 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing faster than average from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
Computer support specialists analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network problems, then give help and advice to other computer users and organizations by supporting computer networks or providing technical assistance directly to end users.
As a computer support specialist, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Testing and evaluating existing network systems
- Performing regular maintenance to ensure that networks operate correctly
- Troubleshooting local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and internet systems
- Paying attention to customers’ descriptions of their computer problems, asking questions to properly diagnose the problem, and walking customers through the recommended problem-solving steps
- Setting up or repairing computer equipment and related devices
- Training users to work with new printers, word-processing software, and email systems
- Giving other team members and managers in the organization information about customer pain points and concerns
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Support Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm
Computer Systems Analysts
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $88,270 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing about as fast as average from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
According to the BLS, “computer systems analysts, sometimes called systems architects, study an organization’s current computer systems and procedures, and design solutions to help the organization operate more efficiently and effectively. They bring business and information technology (IT) together by understanding the needs and limitations of both.”
As a computer systems analyst, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Consulting with managers to determine the role of IT systems in an organization
- Researching emerging technologies to decide if installing them could increase the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness
- Preparing an analysis of costs and benefits so that management could decide if IT systems and computing infrastructure upgrades are financially worthwhile
- Devising ways to add new functionality to existing computer systems
- Designing and implementing new systems by choosing and configuring hardware and software
- Overseeing the installation and configuration of new systems to customize them for the organization
- Conducting testing to ensure that the systems work as expected
- Training the systems’ end users and writing instruction manuals
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer Systems Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm
Database Administrators
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $87,020 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing faster than average from 2016 to 2026
Would I need to keep up with on-the-job training: No
Database administrators make sure that data analysts can access the information they need in organizational databases, oversee the development of new databases, monitor database performance, and conduct performance-tuning support.
As a database administrator, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Ensuring organizational data are secure
- Backing up and restoring information to prevent data loss
- Identifying user needs to create and administer databases
- Ensuring that databases operate efficiently and without error
- Making and testing modifications to database structure when needed
- Maintaining databases and updating permissions
- Merging old databases into new ones
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Database Administrators, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm
Information Security Analysts
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $95,510 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing much faster than average from 2016 to 2026
On-the-job training: No
According to the BLS, “IT security analysts are heavily involved with creating their organization’s disaster recovery plan, a procedure that IT employees follow in case of emergency. These plans allow for the continued operation of an organization’s IT department.”
As an information security analyst, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Monitoring my organization’s networks for security breaches and investigating violations when they occur
- Installing and using software, like firewalls and data encryption programs, to protect sensitive information
- Preparing reports that document security breaches and the extent of the damage caused
- Conducting penetration testing, which is when analysts simulate attacks to look for vulnerabilities in their systems before they can be exploited
- Researching the latest IT security trends
- Developing security standards and best practices for my organization
- Recommending security enhancements to management or senior IT staff
- Helping end users when they need to install or learn about new security products and procedures
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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $81,100 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing as fast as average from 2016 to 2026
On-the-job training: No
Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of an organization’s networks. They manage servers, desktop, and mobile equipment, ensure that email and data storage networks are working, and make sure employees can stay connected to the network.
As a network and computer systems administrator, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Determining an organization’s system needs
- Installing network hardware and software
- Making needed upgrades and repairs to networks and ensuring that systems are operating correctly
- Maintaining network and computer system security
- Evaluating and optimizing network or system performance
- Adding users to a network, and assigning and updating security permissions on the network
- Training users in the proper use of hardware and software
- Interpreting and solving problems when a user or an automated monitoring system alerts them that a problem exists
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm
Software Developers
Do I need to go back to school? Yes, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree
How much money could I make? $103,560 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing much faster than average from 2016 to 2026
On-the-job training: No
“Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs,” says the BLS. “Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks.”
As a software developer, I would spend my days doing things like:
- Analyzing users’ needs and then designing, testing, and developing software to meet those needs
- Recommending software upgrades for existing programs and systems
- Designing each piece of an application or system and planning how the pieces will work together
- Creating a variety of models and diagrams that show programmers the software code needed for an application
- Ensuring that a program continues to function normally through software maintenance and testing
- Documenting every aspect of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance and upgrades
- Collaborating with other computer specialists to create optimum software
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Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Software Developers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm
Web Developers
Do I need to go back to school? You’ll need an associate degree
How much money could I make? $67,990 was the average salary in 2017
What’s the demand like for this job? Growing much faster than average from 2016 to 2026
On-the-job training: None
Web developers design and create websites, and they’re responsible for the look and feel of websites. They are also responsible for the site’s performance and capacity. Some developers might specialize in a certain aspect of a website’s construction, like back-end (the technical construction) or front-end (how it looks and how the user experience works).
As a web developer, I might spend my days doing things like:
- Meeting with clients or management to discuss the needs and design of a website
- Creating and testing applications for a website
- Writing code for the website using programming languages such as HTML or XML
- Working with other team members to determine what information the site will contain
- Working with graphic designers to determine the website’s layout
- Integrating graphics, audio, and video into the website
- Monitoring website traffic
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Web Developers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm
Still not sure if a career in information technology is right for you? Maybe you should think about business or the arts. Learn more about these fields in the next edition of Career College Central.
Sidebar
Did you know? “Demand for computer and information technology workers will stem from greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security.” – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Did you know? 29% of IT workers responding to a survey didn’t intentionally pursue their career. 26% of men and 53% of women in information technology consider themselves “accidental IT pros.” – Spiceworks survey