Information Technology Overview and Description

The information technology industry is a great career option for applicants to choose, with many different jobs available in all parts of the industry. Demand for new workers is high; this demand stems from a greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, and information security. As technology becomes more and more prevalent in the average individuals’ life, the need for workers with the necessary skills sets is highly desired.

Employment of information technology occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026.


What are Information Technology jobs?

Workers in information technology jobs use computers to store, retrieve, transmit, and manipulate data. IT workers are mostly responsible for designing, building and maintaining systems and network infrastructure.


Information Technology Job Overview

Most IT workers work full-time. If a problem arises, then workers may need to work more than 40 hours a week to come up with solutions.

For certain support positions, many workers will not work a typical 9 to 5 schedule as support services may need to be available for 24 hours a day.


What are the Different Types of Information Technology jobs?

  • Network and Computer Systems Administrators. Responsible for day-to-day operation of networks. They are responsible for organizing, installing, and supporting an organization’s computer systems.
  • Information Security Analysts. Plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
  • Computer Support Specialist. Provide help and advice to computer users and organizations. They may provide either support for computer networks or technical support directly to computer users.
  • Chief Information Officers (CIO). Determines the technology or information goals of an organization. Oversees the implementation of technology. CIO’s focus on long-term big picture issues.
  • Chief Technology Officers (CTO). Evaluates new technology to determine how it can help their organization. Works with different departments to implement the organization’s technology plans.
  • IT Director. Oversee organization’s IT department and directly supervise other employees. They implement policies determined by top executives and ensure the availability of data and network services.
  • IT Security Managers. Oversee organization’s network and data security. They plan security policies and promote information security throughout the organization. Also supervise investigations if there is a security violation.

What Type of Education do You Need for a job in Information Technology ?

For support specialist positions, educational requirements vary. Some computer knowledge is required for some support positions without holding a postsecondary degree. Many employers accept applicants with an associate degree, but a bachelor’s is preferred by some employers. Taking computer-related courses will make applicants more qualified for these positions.

For other IT positions at least a bachelor’s in computer science or a related field is necessary. For administrators working with computer hardware and equipment a degree in computer engineering or electrical engineering is usually acceptable as well. Administers are usually required to be certified in the products that they use. Certifications are usually offered directly by vendors and vendor-neutral certificate providers. The types of subjects beneficial to IT applicants are computer programming, software development, and mathematics.

Some organizations require that applicants applying for a managerial position hold an M.B.A., usually in business administration.


What is a Typical Information Technology Salary?

The median annual wage for all information and technology occupations is around $84,580. For computer support specialist, the median annual wage is around $62,340, Network administrators is $81,000, and for managerial positions, such as CTO, CIO, directors and security managers the annual median wage is around $139,220.


What are the Job Requirements for Information Technology jobs?

Having good knowledge of computer systems and network architecture, computer hardware, programming is necessary to be able to perform well in most jobs. Good analytical and problems solving skills is important to be able to provide solutions to problems that may arise, and communications skills help in being able to communicate these solutions to a team.

Certain network administrators require certification when working with certain software or hardware. Microsoft and Cisco offer some of the most common certifications.


Where Can You Find an Information Technology Job Listing?

You can search for an information technology job listing through websites like CareerBuilder, Monster, Indeed, SimplyHired, and JobsInEachState.com. You can also check your local papers or do a general web search for your area for information technology jobs. Networking is also helpful when searching for jobs, so attending meetups related to tech is good for establishing relationships with people in the field.

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