Career Opportunities in Technology

As the digital world continues to develop and improve in all major fields, so to do the possibilities of career choices for those in the technology industry. Careers focus on the physical, life, earth, applied, and engineering sciences. Some of the fields that support IT professionals include:

  • Medicine
  • Computers and Information Technology
  • Finance and Banking
  • Educational Services
  • Military Defense
  • Textiles
  • Food Services
  • Government
  • Engineering
  • Telecommunications
  • Manufacturing

Depending on your area of interest, you can focus your studies on the necessary courses to prepare you for a specific career. You might be surprised to discover how many fields need qualified IT professionals to fill a number of positions!

If you’re still unsure, do as much research as possible before enrolling in a program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a wealth of information about various careers in IT as does O*Net OnLine. Both sites provide specific job descriptions for a number of different opportunities in your field.

Specific Jobs in Technology

Technology jobs vary widely from one position to the next. What career you decide to pursue should be based on two factors: your interests and current skill set. If you’re just starting out in your career, most of your experience will come from internships or other work-based learning opportunities. While you’re in school, it’s important to gain experience in your field of interest so your resume stands out among the competition. As a computer science major can land you in a variety of fields, consider minoring or taking a few elective courses in something related to what you may eventually pursue. For example, if you plan on finding a CS job related to medicine, take some biology courses so you can better communicate with your future coworkers.

Before you enroll in a school, speak to an admissions representative or an instructor in the IT department to address any questions or concerns you have about program offerings and course requirements. The more you arm yourself with information, the better able you will be to chart out a wise course to college success.

Below are just a few of the many options open to IT graduates, with salary and employment growth rate data current as of May 2012 from BLS:

  • Computer Programmer: The stepping stone towards a more advanced career in IT. A computer programmer writes code to create software programs, and generally interact with software developers and engineers. The median pay is $74,280 a year, and employment in the field is expected to grow 8% between.
  • Software Developer: Similar to a computer programmer, software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. The median pay is $93,350 a year, and employment in the field is expected to grow 22% between.
  • Computer Systems Analyst: A computer systems analyst is the glue between business and IT, helping organizations better understand their computer systems needs. The median pay is $79,680 per year, and employment in the field is expected to grow 25% between.
  • Information Security Analyst: As cyberattacks continue to increase, the roles and responsibilities of information security analysts continues to increase as well. The median pay is $86,170 per year, and employment in the field is expected to grow 37% between 2012-2022, the most out of any IT field.
  • Computer Information and Research Scientist: Many of these jobs require a Ph.D., as they deal with solving highly complex problems in the fields business, medicine, science, and others. The median pay is $102,190 and employment in the field is expected to grow by 15% between.

The U.S. government’s Library of Congress has a science reference services page with books and resources that describe many more career opportunities in science and technology in greater detail. Additionally, one looking to into careers in the IT field should look into certifications as well. There are a variety of certifications for different purposes, of which they’d make a great supplement to your education. Check out Rasmussen College and Tom’s IT Pro for more about certification in entry-level and advanced positions.

Resources for Additional Information

For more information on technology career opportunities, you can check out the following association’s websites:

Tech Schools and Computer/IT Degrees

Colorado Technical University BS in Information Technology
BS in Cyber Security - Information Assurance
MS in Computer Science - Software Engineering
MS in Information Technology
Colorado Technical University - The Colorado Technical University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. CTU is among the largest technical schools in the world with online programs available. Students can obtain degrees like the MS in Computer Science or the BS in Information Technology.
Liberty University DBA in Information Systems
Liberty University - Liberty University is the nation's largest Christian school and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Liberty University is not a technical school although students can pursue related online degree programs like an MS in Information Systems Management or an MS in Cyber Security.
Purdue University BS in Information Technology
BS in Information Technology - Programming and Software Development
BS in Cybersecurity
MBA in Information Technology
Purdue University - Purdue University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is one of the largest schools in the US. While not strictly a technical school, they do offer dozens of degrees in the field of technology like the AAS, BS, and MS in Information Technology. The distance learning programs make it easy for students to attend class and balance work and their personal life.
Walden University DBA in Information Systems Management
Walden University - Walden University is a massive online school regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It focuses on higher level programs like the MS in Information Technology or the MS in Information Systems that require no campus visitation in order to obtain the degree.
American Intercontinental University BS in Information Technology - Software Analysis and Development
BS in Information Technology - Information Assurance and Security
MS in Information Technology - Information Assurance and Security
American Intercontinental University - The American InterContinental University is an international school with accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Despite the fact it is not a technical school, students will find a wide range of relevant degrees like a BIT in Network Administration or a BFA in Web Design.
Rasmussen College BS in Computer Science
BS in Cyber Security
BS in Information Technology Management
Rasmussen College - "Complete your Computer Science Bachelor’s degree-completion program fully online in as few as 18 months.* The computer science program at Rasmussen College is where big ideas get noticed—often on their way to becoming the next big thing. Using data-driven methods, our curriculum focuses on emerging trends, not fads, and includes hands-on experience with real-world tools in virtual environments from Amazon, Apple and Microsoft."
Grand Canyon University MS in Cybersecurity
MS in Information Technology Management
Grand Canyon University - "Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Information Technology Management program is designed to prepare students for leadership positions in information technology. The IT management program consists of a unique blend of management courses that will provide you with the business knowledge required to manage information technology functions across a wide range of industries."

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