Businesses use IT to keep things running smoothly, make important decisions, and solve problems. In a world where computers are used almost everywhere, IT has become a highly sought-after job skill, and IT specialists are likely to earn relatively high salaries.
Access to a Variety of Career Options
Technology is used in almost every industry, from finance to manufacturing, to education, meaning that if you learn IT, you’ll be likely to find many different job opportunities in a wide range of industries. Some common IT jobs include data science, software development, web development, and cybersecurity. Having the ability to work in different industries and jobs can be a benefit in times of recession or economic downturn, because you’ll have more options.
U.S. News & World Report recently compiled a list of the 20 Careers with the Most Job Security Right Now, and a number of IT roles made the list. Those jobs are Web Developer, Database Administrator, Information Security Analyst, and Software Developer. All of these roles are expected to remain in demand in the future due to society’s continual and increasing reliance on technology and computers.
An In-Demand Skill
In this digital age, IT experts are in demand for a wide range of different needs including data storage, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. The IT job sector is predicted to keep growing, and remain in demand in the future. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) collects and analyzes information about the job market and finds that over the next ten years, employment in computer and information technology occupations will grow much faster than average. For example, employment of Computer and Information Research Scientists is expected to grow 23 percent. Web Developers and Digital Designers are predicted to see a growth rate of 16 percent, and Information Security Analysts 32 percent. The average growth rate for all occupations is only 3 percent.
According to a recent LinkedIn report, “In terms of top talent in the IT jobs market, demand is still far outpacing supply.” The author says that the most in-demand IT jobs are Software Developer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, IT Manager, and Cybersecurity Expert.
High Earning Potential
While salaries vary from job to job, overall, many IT jobs have a relatively high salary. BLS reports that the average salary for computer and information technology occupations is about $100,000, which is far higher than the average for all occupations in the United States, which is just over $45,000. Some IT experts earn significantly more than $100,000. For instance, BLS finds that the median salary for a Computer and Information Research Scientist is more than $135,000, and Computer Network Architects earn more than $125,000. Software Developers, Information Security Analysts, and Database Administrators also earn more than $100,000 yearly on average, according to BLS.
For Computer and Information Research Scientists, California, Oregon, and Washington are the highest-paying states, according to BLS. In California, the average salary for this role is more than $230,000. For Computer Network Architects, the top-paying states are Massachusetts, South Dakota, and Maryland, with salaries that top $160,000. Software Developers are paid the most in California, Washington, and Rhode Island. In California, the average Software Developer wage is more than $180,000.
An Innovative Field
The field of technology is growing and changing quickly. As a result, IT professionals get to work in a role where they are constantly exposed to new technologies and methods. If you like to work in a job where people are continually figuring out how to make things better, then you may enjoy working in IT. This is a field where innovation is required, and where that innovation can change people’s lives. IT expert Tan Teng Cheong says, “There are few other jobs in the world where creativity and teamwork are used as much to build solutions that change the way we work, live and play – and potentially the world.”
You Won’t Get Bored
Most IT experts say that their job is definitely not boring. Instead, they explain that they are constantly solving problems and learning new things. Some say that they never know what challenges may arise in their day, and that working in IT often involves solving problems and coming up with creative and innovative solutions. IT Service Coordinator Seth Phousongphuoang agrees. He explains, “IT is special because it's currently the backbone to making everything a reality. . . . Anything you need done faster, more efficiently, more reliably, or using fewer resources can be done. If you can imagine it and want to make it a reality, you just apply a technology solution to it. And technology will remain the forerunner of modern innovation for the foreseeable future. My job has no end in sight, and will never become stale because it can always be improved.”
Job Satisfaction
It is common to hear IT experts say that they love their jobs. Many explain that this is due to the fact that they are constantly working to solve problems, and that they enjoy both the creativity involved, and the satisfaction that comes with success. Software Engineer Lindsey Redd says, “I enjoy the process of coding and not knowing what’s really going on, but testing and working through an issue, Googling whatever I need to, and then getting to a solution. That feeling, that gratification of figuring out how to do something or solving a bug, is unmatched.”
An IT Education is Relatively Short
Unlike some careers, where you need a college degree to get hired, many people who work in IT get their skills by taking a shorter type of training, and by learning on their own. It is common to hear IT experts say that getting an IT job is more about proving that you have the specialized skills you need to do that job than showing proof of a degree. IT skills can often be gained through IT training programs like bootcamps or certificates. These are typically less time-consuming and less expensive than getting a college degree.
Richard Wahlquist, chief executive at the American Staffing Association, agrees that many companies are not focused on college degrees. He explains, “As the demand for tech workers continues, companies are changing their job descriptions to focus more on skills and less on degrees.” However, he also stresses that while IT experts may not need to get a college degree, education remains extremely important. He says, “Someone looking to enter the tech field must be ready to become a lifelong learner because the programs and processes they learn today may soon be out of date.”
Be Creative
If you like solving problems and being creative, then IT might be a good field for you. IT experts commonly say that their professions involve a high level of creativity. They explain that they are commonly faced with unique tech problems, and must use their creativity to come up with creative solutions. When asked what type of personalities are a good fit for an IT job, IT expert Bonnie Brennan says, “Curious and stubborn personalities. I got to this point because I had curiosity and tenacity. I'm stubborn, which is a good thing in this career. I come across things that I don't know how to do, and I have to have the tenacity to figure it out.”
Be Part of a Team
Many IT experts stress that, contrary to popular opinion, their jobs are actually extremely collaborative. They say that most people in IT roles constantly work with a team of other people, so if you enjoy working as part of a team, this may be a good career for you. Software Engineer Lindsey Redd explains, “I think people have this vision of software engineers that we’re in a dark room coding by ourselves all the time, which is the vibe sometimes. I’m not going to lie. Sometimes there’s a problem you need to hammer out with code.” However, Redd says that working alone is only part of what she does. She says, “A lot of the job is very collaborative and not solo work at all — a lot of planning, being a team player, communicating what you’re doing, and asking questions you might have so that people can help you.”
How to Choose an IT Class
IT classes vary in cost, flexibility, and the level of interaction that you have with your instructor and fellow students. If you’re trying to choose an IT class, it can be helpful to think about how you learn best, how much time and money you have to invest in your training, and what you hope to get out of your class.
The most common IT class formats are in-person, live online, and on-demand, and every student has a different opinion about which one is best. Some students like in-person training because they find that they learn better through the face-to-face interaction and instant feedback that comes with this format. It can also be easier to focus during an in-person class because it takes place in a space that is dedicated to learning. However, in-person classes don’t have a lot of flexibility. Live online classes offer more flexibility because they can be taken from anywhere; students simply log on from their computers. Live online classes also provide real-time interaction with instructors and other students. While live online classes offer flexibility, the most flexible type of class is an on-demand one. With this format, lessons are pre-recorded, and students can work through the material whenever they want to, and at whatever speed they like. Many on-demand students like that they can pause, fast-forward, and rewind according to their needs. On-demand classes also have the benefit of generally being less expensive. However, because they are so flexible, on-demand classes require focus and motivation, and some students do better in a live format, where they are accountable to other people.
As well as these three formats, you’ll find that IT classes come in different lengths. There are shorter, introductory courses that are relatively inexpensive, and only take a few days to complete. There are also longer courses, like bootcamps and certificate programs, that are usually more expensive, but are also more comprehensive.
After you decide whether you’re looking for a short course or a longer one, and what format you prefer, you can start comparing specific schools and classes. A great way to get a better understanding of what a course will be like is to read the description and syllabus provided on the school website. Another good research method is to read reviews about the class or school, which can provide insight into the good and bad things that other students have experienced.
Is it Difficult to Learn IT?
Your IT learning experience will depend on how much you already know about IT, how you choose to learn, and how dedicated you are, and this is different for everyone. In general, it is usually easier to learn IT by enrolling in a paid class. With a paid class, you get instruction from an expert, who can share things that could take you years to figure out by yourself. Another advantage of a paid class is that you’ll know that the information you’re getting is reliable and up-to-date. In a field like IT where technology changes rapidly, it is important not to receive outdated advice.
IT classes come in many different lengths. There are shorter classes that take only a few days to complete, but if you want to master IT, you’ll probably need to invest in something longer, like a certificate program or bootcamp. These types of programs usually give students a much more comprehensive IT education that sets them up to work in this field. A bootcamp or certificate program can take weeks, or even months, to complete.
Another important part of learning IT is practice. Most IT experts say that in addition to taking a class, they spent hours practicing their skills. In addition, you can learn a lot from other IT experts. IT expert Bonnie Brennan explains, “A lot of developers are self-taught, but you're going to get to a point where you can't grow anymore on your own. You have to start branching out and learning things from other developers.” It can take anywhere from weeks to years to learn IT, depending on your experience, skill, and persistence. Ultimately, though, IT is a skill that almost any student can master.”