What is a career in information technology?
Information technology, abbreviated IT, is a broad field that focuses on managing and processing information using technology. In particular, IT professionals work to store and protect information in computers and network systems. In a world that is more and more controlled by computers, professionals with specialized IT skills are needed in great demand. Businesses and companies hire IT professionals to both sustain information processing systems and to create new systems. Information technologists find jobs in government, business, and service industries and take on positions such as web masters, network administrators, database developers, and interface designers.
What is a career in computer science?
Ever wonder how someone can make a computer work? That's exactly what a computer science professional does. Much like the way a medical doctor knows the science behind how a body works, a computer science professional knows the inner workings of computers and the software that makes them run. As you can imagine, there is a rising demand for skilled computer science workers to develop new software and hardware technology that will keep up with the pace of advanced technology. Some different types of computer science careers include database administrators, web masters, network managers and programming specialists. Some of these positions entail reactive and proactive problem solving, while others involve creative minds to create new technologies and programming. Most of these types of professionals have at least a two year degree in computer technology and most work in system design and service industries. More experienced computer science professionals can move up in a company or institution and many decide to freelance, as independent consultants. Whatever the specialty or industry, technology will only continue to grow and so will the job outlook in this field.
What education is needed to work in this field?
Like any career field, employers like to see highly skilled, and educated employees working for them. In the IT and computer science field, there are a number of ways to get the education and training that appeals to headhunters. Most companies prefer to hire those with a bachelor's or master's degree, but in such a specialized field, a highly competent applicant with an associate's degree is also a strong runner for an IT and computer science job.
Even with a degree in computer science or information technology, many companies also require very specialized certificate training. Most professionals have to earn a certificate in their field on top of their associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree. No matter what level of job in this field, it always looks good to employers to see real, professional experiences on a resume. An internship offers a low-pressure way to gain this experience. Most colleges or universities have career counselors or online programs that will navigate aspiring technology professors to available internship opportunities.
