A Career In Information Technology

Information technology (IT) is not just about computer science and engineering any more. It can be applied as a tool in just about any pursuit from biology to fashion design. New applications in every field imaginable are being invented daily! Did you know, for example, that Sun Microsystems does a lot of its recruiting and marketing on Second Life, and even holds virtual meetings there? IT has become mainstream, interwoven into the fabric of our lives.

Whether you’re interested in data analysis for missile defense, gaming, business management, Web design, or even physical fitness (think Wii Fit!), IT might be a good major or minor for you. You can choose an IT track that focuses on the creative (design/gaming) or on mathematics and science. Either way, be prepared and willing to keep learning. This is an ever-changing field, and that’s part of the excitement!

New IT careers are evolving. Growth areas include information security; geospatial programs like Google maps; and mobile technology, which is developing smaller and smaller tools. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that 854,000 professional IT jobs will be added between 2006 and 2016—a 24% increase. In addition, it estimates that the information sector of the economy will be the fastest growing during this period. Most of the growth is expected to be in telecommunications, software publishing, and the Internet. Today, employers are having trouble finding enough qualified people. So, if you’ve ever thought about IT, it would be worth your while to take a second look.

A July/August 2008 article by Keith Miller and Jeffrey Voss in IT Pro magazine breaks the IT field down into computer scientists who study computers and computing, software engineers who look at how to build better systems, and IT professionals—an umbrella term for those who develop and/or apply information technology to accomplish tasks in a wide variety of fields. IT professionals are problem solvers, searching for innovative ways to fix problems. They are artists, designers, writers, and musicians. IT can mesh with and enhance whatever your strengths and interests. Consider video and computer games. The best involve creative design, animation, story line, and music. Explore which IT niche is best for you.

A 2008 IT Skills and Salary Report by Global Knowledge and TechRepublic shows salaries in the IT field ranging from approximately $48,000 for help desk support and $62,000 for a Web designer to $70,000 for a software engineer, $85,000 for a computer security specialist, and $100,000 for a system architect. Education matters. The average salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree is over $76,000, compared with approximately $65,000 for a person with a certificate or degree from a technical school.

If you’re a people person, keep in mind that computers are created by people and for people. IT professionals need to work closely with their colleagues, clients, and the end users. Your people skills will be a real asset in the IT field and help ensure that products are user friendly.

You can choose an IT track that focuses on the creative
(design/gaming) or on mathematics and science. Either way, be
prepared and willing to keep learning. This is an ever-changing field,
and that’s part of the excitement!

As you consider your college major and minor, be sure to check out options that didn’t exist a few years ago. Forensic Computing, for example, combines Criminal Justice and Information Technology. In addition, many scholarships—including grants from the National Science Foundation—are available for those pursuing specific IT fields like computer security.

Not sure if IT is right for you? Try an IT-related course that piques your interest. How about Gaming and Second Life or Web Multimedia Design?

College is a time to explore. Wherever your passion lies, keep in mind that technology is a tool to help you achieve your goals. Whether you love to design clothes, Web sites, or robots; thrill to discussions of politics or crime solving, or lose track of time when immersed in algorithmic analysis —you will need and use information technology.

With the rapid pace of new discoveries and applications, information technology is an exciting and wide-open field—truly a frontier where the impossible can become possible. Artificial intelligence, bio-cybernetics, and micro-robotics are no longer the stuff of science fiction.

With any new frontier, ethical and legal considerations arise, opening up additional career possibilities ranging from the health care field to intellectual property and computer security. Perhaps your career path will lie there—ensuring that IT advances are available throughout society and that they can enhance individual lives.

If you are an adventurer, enjoy solving problems, and envision a future of endless possibilities where there is always more to learn and discover—then consider information technology as a pathway to amazing career opportunities.

Editorial provided by Diane R. Murphy, PhD. Dr. Murphy is chair of Marymount University’s Department of Information Technology and Management Science.