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Choosing a degree and career path is very important when setting life goals. When making those choices, students have a lot to consider, such as what they want to do with their life, what they are good at, what they are interested in and what will make them happy. For many people, information technology checks a lot of those boxes.��

Why pursue online IT degrees?

There are a few attractive aspects of pursuing an online IT degree and working in information technology.��The opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies is one. The field’s flexibility and stability are others. However, there are also some other factors to consider.

First, the field is constantly evolving, which means that individuals interested in IT need to be comfortable with change and lifelong learning.

Second, IT roles can be demanding, both in terms of the hours worked and the level of concentration required. Those looking for a challenging and rewarding career, may find that IT could be the perfect fit.

Benefits of online IT degrees

For students interested in choosing an IT degree program, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Make sure the course material is of interest. Students in these majors take several technical classes, and they’ll need to be motivated to succeed.
• Consider career goals. Many different IT professions can be pursued with online IT degrees, so it's important to choose one that aligns with their goals.��
• Research the job market in the area. The demand for IT professionals varies from place to place, so it's important to make sure there are jobs available in a particular place.��

By keeping these things in mind, students can make sure they choose the online IT degrees that are right for them.

Growing demand

The need for IT professionals with skills in data analytics, cloud computing and cybersecurity is expected to grow in the coming years, which is good news for IT majors who are looking for a long-term career.�� According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is projected to grow faster than average for all occupations. Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to . About 356,700 openings are projected each year, on average.

Demand for talent is driven by both the private sector and the government, as businesses and organizations of all types seek to improve their digital infrastructures.

Security also impacts this demand. With so many people storing their credit cards and medical and location information on the internet, IT talent is needed to ensure such critical details are kept safe.

BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to ������Ƶ students or graduates.

Salaries in internet technology

As of May 2024, computer and information systems managers , according to BLS.

BLS data indicates that IT professionals at the high end of the salary range tend to work in management positions or have jobs that require advanced technical skills. By contrast, those at the lower end of the salary range are more likely to hold entry-level positions or work in less expensive areas of the country.

For example, professionals working in management positions tend to earn higher salaries than those working in support roles. Similarly, those working in cities with a high concentration of tech companies tend to earn more than those living in other parts of the country. Finally, workers employed in industries such as healthcare and finance tend to command higher salaries than those working in other sectors.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of ������Ƶ. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. ������Ƶ does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

More diverse roles

IT professionals play a vital role in a wide range of industries, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and retail.��Because IT fits into so many industries, it can be a great option for career changers. Chances are good that people interested in tech already possess professional experience and transferrable skills that can be applied in a tech role. For example, a cashier or server at a restaurant has likely been trained in software, which can help them more quickly become familiar with IT systems and infrastructure. Education can help them learn these hard professional skills, while their work experience has already provided critical soft skills, like communication, customer service and problem-solving.

Finding the right role in information technology may require some exploration, but the variety of roles available provides many options for those seeking a career in the field. With the right mix of skills, training and experience, IT professionals can find a role that suits their individual goals and preferences.

Popular information technology career areas

IT is a broad field, so it can be difficult to decide which path is right. However, exploring the various options and matching skills to the right career can help students find a role that is both lucrative and fulfilling.��

What makes a career interesting and fulfilling varies from person to person. However, many people in the field enjoy the challenge of working with complex technologies and the satisfaction of solving problems. In addition, IT careers often offer competitive salaries and benefits packages.��

It is important to have both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are technical abilities related to specific knowledge or tools, while soft skills are interpersonal skills such as communication and problem-solving. Both types of skills are essential for success in the IT field.��

The following are just a few of the most popular and high-demand jobs available in the field of information technology.

Network security

Job description: Network security professionals are responsible for a variety of functions related to the protection of an organization's computer network. Their duties may include researching and installing security software, monitoring network activity for signs of intrusion and responding to security incidents. Network security professionals are also responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the security of an organization's network.��

Salary range:����s of May 2024, network and computer systems administrators earned , according to BLS.

Skills and qualifications: To qualify for a career in network security, individuals often need to possess strong technical skills and have received training in cybersecurity or a similar field. Most employers typically look for candidates with a  or a related field. Employers also prefer candidates who have experience working with networks and computer systems.

���ܳٱ��Ǵǰ�:��Employment of network and computer systems administrators is projected to . Despite declining employment, about 16,400 openings for network and computer systems administrators are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Data analytics

Job description: Data analysts are responsible for collecting, organizing and analyzing data to help businesses make informed decisions. They may also be responsible for creating reports and visualizations to help summarize data.

Data analytics is needed in a variety of industries, including healthcare, finance, retail and manufacturing. The duties of a data analyst vary according to industry but may include creating reports, conducting research and developing recommendations based on data analysis.��

Salary range:����s of May 2024, data scientists earned , according to BLS.

Skills and qualifications: BLS does not provide education requirements for data scientists, but it does for the related fields of operations research analysts and computer and information research scientists. According to BLS, an operations research analyst typically needs at least a bachelor’s degree, although some employers may require a master’s degree. Computer and information research scientists typically require a master’s degree, such as a Master of Science in Data Science or a related field such as mathematics, statistics or computer science.

Data analysts typically need strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Candidates with experience in statistical analysis software, such as SAS and SPSS, as well as database software, such as SQL, may have an advantage in the job market.

Outlook: Employment of data scientists is projected to . About 20,800 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Database architect

Job description: Planning and building databases that support systems and applications is the responsibility of database architects. They start by examining the technical requirements of an organization before creating database models that meet those needs. After the design is complete, they create and execute the data architecture, frequently connecting pre-existing systems, and conduct extensive testing to check for problems like errors or inefficiencies.

Salary range:����s of May 2024, database architects , according to BLS.��

Skills and qualifications:  A bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a closely related field, such as engineering, is typically held by database architects. Professionals with business backgrounds occasionally enter the field. Candidates with a master's degree that focuses on data or database management are often favored by companies, especially in disciplines like computer science, information systems, or technology.

A , particularly Structured Query Language (SQL), is necessary to be successful in these positions. DBAs also need to be knowledgeable about the particular programming languages that are utilized in their company.

���ܳٱ��Ǵǰ�:��Employment of database administrators and architects is projected to . About 9,500 openings for database administrators and architects are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Computer system analyst

Job description: Computer systems analysts, sometimes referred to as systems architects, evaluate an organization's current technical IT system setup and processes to identify areas that need improvement. Their goal is to increase operational efficiency through the design of updated systems by utilizing strategies like data modeling, which helps visualize workflows and data mobility.

They identify the technical requirements, such as memory size, storage space, and processing power, required for optimum performance. Additionally, they work with programmers and engineers to troubleshoot problems after implementation and produce diagrams that help them through the system-building process. A lot of analysts also do programming as part of their duties.

Salary range:����s of May 2024, computer systems analysts , according to BLS.��

Skills and qualifications:  A bachelor's degree in computer and information technology or a similar field, such mathematics, is typically held by computer systems analysts. A or business education may be beneficial because their employment frequently involves company operations.

Candidates with liberal arts degrees may be hired by some companies, as long as they have acquired programming or technical abilities elsewhere.

Employers may favor candidates with a master's degree in business administration (MBA) with an emphasis on information systems for more specialized or advanced roles. A master's degree in computer science is frequently thought to be more appropriate in situations involving extremely technical employment.

���ܳٱ��Ǵǰ�:��Employment of computer systems analysts is projected to . About 37,300 openings for computer systems analysts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Computer and information systems managers

Job description: An organization's technology operations are led and managed by computer and information systems managers, or IT managers. They are essential in establishing IT goals and making sure that computer systems are deployed wisely to help achieve them.

Their responsibilities can range widely depending on the organization's size and structure. Some IT managers oversee the entire technology department, while others specialize in specific areas such as network infrastructure, technical support, or cybersecurity.

Salary range:����s of May 2024, computer and information systems managers , according to BLS.��

Skills and qualifications:���� or a similar discipline, such as engineering technologies, is typically earned by managers of computer and information systems. Courses in mathematics, software development, and programming are frequently offered in these programs. Management information systems (MIS) degrees usually combine technical courses with business studies.

Additionally, certain organizations may require or prefer a graduate degree, such as a master's in business administration, information technology, or computer science, for higher-level management roles.

���ܳٱ��Ǵǰ�:��Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to . About 54,700 openings for computer and information systems managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Learn more about online IT degrees

If you’re ready to get started on your journey toward a career in IT or are looking for opportunities to pursue online IT degrees to help your current career, ������Ƶ offers online IT degrees, including an online IT associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree in IT, a bachelor’s degree in data science, a data science master’s programs online and an online MIS degree.��

Contact ������Ƶ for more information.