Warning - Remove the Blindfold Before Starting an Information Technology Career

It might surprise you to learn that Information Technology does not describe any particular technology field. It is a broad description that encompasses hundreds of different fields dealing with the digital storage, communication and processing of information.

Although these fields fall under the same banner of 'Information Technology' they do not necessarily have transferable skill sets. And this observation becomes significant when deciding on an Information Technology career path. Whilst entry level careers branch out into dozens of alternate paths, vertical movement between certain paths is unlikely without starting again.

Take the fields of Web Developer and Telecommunications specialist as an example. One field fall within the 'software developer' category and the other falls within the 'network' category but both fields fall comfortably within the all encompassing Information Technology career banner. Even the most experienced Web Developer would struggle to transition into a Telecommunication Specialist role because the knowledge and skills held by a Web Developer are, for the most part, not applicable to Telecommunications.

This is why entry level Information Technology career choices can be so important. Career options branch into many different directions as experience levels increase, but they are always limited by the scope of knowledge within each field. This means that if an IT student or IT graduate has a career goal in mind they should be mindful of the different paths that may lead to the objective.

Although the Information Technology industry as a whole has a prosperous future, IT students or IT graduates who wish to take advantage of emerging technologies should position their careers appropriately. Emerging technologies are a great way to fast forward a developing career because any skills shortages means less experienced candidates are given opportunities that they may have not otherwise received.

The IT industry is rife with examples of emerging technologies and skills shortages. For the record, we feel that IPV6, Unix (due to the Unix millennium bug in 2038), HTML5 and Security are emerging fields (or fields with significant potential for growth in the case of Unix and Security) to watch for in the medium to long-term future.

What to learn more about IT careers? Find an IT career pathways [http://www.it-pathways.com/it-career-pathways.html] diagram here.

It-pathways.com promotes realistic, honest and ethical Information Technology careers.

Plan an Electrifying Start to Your Information Technology Industry Career

It seems that most people these days have a friend, relative or neighbor in the Information Technology industry. One could be forgiven for concluding that this popularity is a product of a well known process supplying the IT industry with rejuvenated stock year in and year out. Nothing could be further from the truth, approximately 70,000 searches a month for the keywords 'Information Technology Career' or similar variances on Google alone validate this claim.

Even with a University degree many graduates find themselves lost and confused about their career path. The problem that graduates face is that Information Technology is a broad description encompassing any and all industries involved with the storage, processing or delivery of information. Telecommunications specialists and hardware technicians alike call themselves "IT" professionals despite very different training and skill sets. As do developers, business analysts, help desk consultants, web designers and database administrators just to name a few others.

In an industry where knowledge is rewarded, opportunity awaits savvy students and trainees who focus their training sooner rather than later. Take our two example students whom I've very imaginatively called Student#1 and Student#2.

Student #1 wasn't sure where his IT education might take him. He is bright and cruised through his course producing the following impressive results.

2007 - High School Graduate

2010 - Information Technology Degree (6.1 of a maximum 7 GPA)

Good results are great. But can we raise the bar without improving on the GPA?

Student #2 researched the industry very early into his degree; he spoke with appropriate parties including recruitment agencies and other IT professionals. He even volunteered for three weeks of work experience in his field of choice. He continued on a focused career track throughout his time at university and at the end of his degree his final portfolio of achievements looked like this;

2007 - High School Certificate

2008 - Systems Administrator (3 week work experience) - Company XYZ

2009 - Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) - Self Study

2009 - Professional Membership - AITP (Association of Information Technology Professionals)

2010 - Information Technology Degree (5.6 of a maximum 7 GPA)

Major -Infrastructure Technologies

Major - Network Technologies

Student #2 focused his efforts towards a Systems Administrator role three years before he was scheduled to finish his degree. Apart from the additional experience he was able to get a first hand insight into the industry and learned that an MCP certification would be a valuable asset to his job hunting arsenal. Additional research also led him to join a professional association. Even his university degree shows clear intent and when you put his achievements together Student#1's higher GPA hardly seems relevant.

This is an example of well planned career development. The Information Technology industry excels in presenting unique opportunities and this is no exception. Forward thinkers and innovators stand up and get noticed - Will you cruise through your studies or are you taking the bull by the horns?

Want to learn more about Information Technology careers?

Andres Villalva B.IT, AssDip(Eng), CCNP, MasterCNE is a co-founder of IT-Pathways.com and writes articles based on over fifteen years of experience in the Information Technology industry. http://www.it-pathways.com promotes ethical, intelligent and successful Information Technology career development.

Information Technology Career Preparation Training Options

When looking to obtain a higher education in information technology there are many options available. You can pursue a career that meets you individual goals by choosing from a variety of specialized areas of study. Training can be completed at different levels to allow you to receive the educational career preparation that is right for you. Enrollment in an accredited school or college will help you to obtain the higher education that is necessary for you to pursue a career in information technology. With numerous opportunities available, you can start by learning more information technology career preparation training options.

Professionals in this field are trained to carry out a number of tasks based on the career that they have chosen. You can learn to work with various computer systems for a number of reasons. Training will allow you to pursue the degree and career that meets your individual needs and goals. You can look into:
Associate
Bachelor
Master
Doctoral
...degree training programs in information technology. Studies can last anywhere from two to eight years depending on the level of education needed to enter into the career you desire. Accredited career preparation can give you the skills and knowledge to enter into a variety of careers.

There are numerous professions available in information technology. You can select the level of education that allows you to enter the career of your dreams. You can specialize in areas such as:
Computer Information Science
Information Security
Computer Information Systems
Information Systems
...and more. Accredited higher education training in these areas will cover a variety of topics to help you gain the skills you need to enter into a successful career. The area of specialty will decide the courses that must be studied.

Coursework will be different for each level of degree and the area of study that is selected. You can obtain the accredited education that will help you succeed by completing training in web development, databases, systems analysis, hardware components, and computer software. You can also complete computer security training, as well as telecommunications, user interface design, application testing, and many other subjects related to the career and specialized area you wish to enter. There are a variety of professions that can be pursued once an accredited higher education is obtained in information technology. Possible career opportunities can include working as a:
Software Developer
Support Specialist
Systems Analyst
LAN Administrator
Computer Programmer
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
...and other related professions. Obtain the accredited educational training you need to pursue the career of your dreams by enrolling in an information technology school or college today.

Full accredited programs offer you the best quality education available. You can ensure this by making sure the program you choose carries full accreditation from an agency like the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology ( http://www.accsc.org/ ). Start by researching information technology schools and colleges to find the one that's right for you and enrolling in the degree program that meets your individual needs and goals.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Locate Information Technology Schools and Colleges as well as Online Information Technology Schools and Colleges at PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.