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Not so long ago, computers were the machines of NASA, robots were an idea of the future, mobile communication was only for the very wealthy, and a career in technology seemed out of reach. Today, of course, nothing could be further from the truth. Because technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives — from business to personal relationships to security to entertainment to financial networks — technology careers are in high demand. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thanks to “a greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data, more everyday items becoming connected to the internet in what is commonly referred to as the ‘internet of things,’ and the continued demand for mobile computing,” the demand will only continue to increase over the next decade. Technology infiltration has also made it possible for people to determine early whether or not a career in the industry would be a good fit for them. Because so many people have access to things like smartphones, personal computers, self-checkout lanes and online banking, they’re able to gauge their interest level in and aptitude for these things informally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment of computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations,” adding approximately 488,500 new jobs between 2014 and 2024, from about 3.9 million jobs to about 4.4 million. Even an information technology career that is only growing as fast as average — network and computer systems administrators — is expected to add about 30,200 new positions before 2024. Although most information technology careers do require a degree (often a bachelor’s degree), obtaining one can be less challenging than obtaining a degree in many other fields. By its nature, a technology career can be done virtually, and often its training can as well. Many career education colleges and universities, in particular, offer degree-granting programs that can be completed online, from anywhere in the world. Even though so many people are comfortable using technology in their lives, 68 percent of companies report struggling to find qualified IT candidates. And hiring qualified employees is incredibly important as organizations increasingly rely on technology. According to 2016 research by Robert Half Technology, employees lose more than two weeks of productivity each year due to technology-related issues. "Technology is a double-edged sword in most organizations — it can be an enormous time-saver, but it can also be a drain if things aren't working well or people don't know how to use the tools provided to them," said John Reed, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "A proactive and highly proficient help desk can be a huge productivity asset to companies and their employees." Looking for an IT career beyond the help desk? There are plenty of those as well. From web design to video game development, there are many ways to flex your individuality in the IT industry. Spotlight On: Information Technology Career Options Career colleges and technical schools around the country offer a variety of degree- and nondegree-granting programs that help meet the surging demand for information technology professionals as well as help students begin on the path to fulfilling computer-based careers. Here is just a sampling of the fast-growing career options available: Computer and Information Research Scientists Entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree Median pay (2015): $110,620 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing faster than average (11 percent projected growth) According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Computer and information research scientists invent and design new approaches to computing technology and find innovative uses for existing technology. They study and solve complex problems in computing for business, medicine, science, and other fields.” Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer and Information Research Scientists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-and-information-research-scientists.htm Computer Network Architects Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $100,240 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing faster than average (9 percent projected growth) Computer network architects work with businesses and organizations to design and build data communication networks like local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and intranets that serve as connections between computers. These networks can range from a one-building intranet to a connection between two offices to a cloud infrastructure that serves multiple customers. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer Network Architects, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-network-architects.htm Computer Programmers Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $79,530 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Declining (8 percent projected decline) Computer programmers write and test code that lets computer applications and software programs function properly. Applications and software use is still rising exponentially, so why is the projected number of jobs available for computer programmers declining? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer programming can be done from anywhere in the world, so companies sometimes hire programmers in countries where wages are lower. This ongoing trend is projected to limit growth for computer programmers in the United States.” Their job duties may include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer Programmers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-programmers.htm Computer Support Specialists Entry-level education: Degree not generally required Median pay (2015): $51,470 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing faster than average (12 percent projected growth) “Computer support specialists provide help and advice to people and organizations using computer software or equipment,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Some, called computer network support specialists, support information technology (IT) employees within their organization. Others, called computer user support specialists, assist non-IT users who are having computer problems.” Their job duties often include Computer network support specialists
Computer user support specialists
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer Support Specialists, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm Computer Systems Analysts Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $85,800 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing much faster than average (21 percent projected growth) When an organization wants its computer systems and procedures to operate more efficiently and effectively, it turns to a computer systems analyst. Computer systems analysts are able to design and fix information systems solutions that bring together business and IT by understanding the needs and limitations of both. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Computer Systems Analysts, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm Database Administrators Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $81,710 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing faster than average (11 percent projected growth) Database administrators use specialized software to ensure that data like financial information and customer shipping records are organized, stored securely and available to users. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Database Administrators, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm Information security analysts Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $90,120 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing much faster than average (18 percent projected growth) Information security analysts are responsible for the security measures that protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Due to the increasing number of cyberattacks, they must continually adapt to stay ahead of the attacks. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Information Security Analysts, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm Network and computer systems administrators Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $77,810 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing as fast as average (8 percent projected growth) According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems.” Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm Software Developers Entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree Median pay (2015): $100,690 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing much faster than average (17 percent projected growth) Software developers provide the ideas and creativity behind computer processes. By working with customers to determine what the software will need to do, building out the core functionality, and identifying security and performance needs, software developers have control over how software will eventually perform. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Software Developers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm Web Developers Entry-level education: Associate degree Median pay (2015): $164,970 annually Job outlook, 2014-24: Growing much faster than average (27 percent projected growth) Web developers are responsible for turning a website idea into reality by designing the website’s look, feel and functionality and then creating the framework for the site itself, including technical aspects like performance and capacity for speed and traffic. Their job duties often include
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Web Developers, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm
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