Information technology also known as IT has one of the most sizzling career outlooks and offers some of the best paying salaries on the planet. The IT industry as a whole made over $763 billion in revenues worldwide in 2009, Gartner. Despite the difficult employment forecast of the Great Recession, businesses still need and are hiring skilled IT workers.
Information Age with IT
We live in the information age. Everyone, including businesses wants information quickly and conveniently. Information technology is the industry that provides us all with the ability to share the information we want through computers and computer networks. Most individuals employed in the information technology industry work in a few broad categories. These categories include:
- Computer hardware: Building and repairing physical parts and components of a computer.
- Computer software: Working with computer programs and data that tell that computer 'what' and 'how' to do things.
- Computer networks: Building bridges of communication between a collection of computers.
- Computer security: Protecting valuable information being shared across networks.
Businesses Want IT Workers...NOW
Businesses need information technology experts. In fact, many businesses have a hard time finding skills IT professionals to hire. According to Robert Half Technology, a leading IT Professional Provider,” Demand for IT employees is the highest it’s been in five years. Here are 3 Reasons Why:
- There is an industry wide growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates nearly one million IT jobs will be created by 2014.
- Retiring Professionals. Baby boomers in the field are starting to retire.
- The Major is Losing Popularity. Fewer college students are choosing to major in computer science, engineering and math to refill the ranks.
The IT Personality
Information technology professionals need to be curious and innovative. They also need to be creative problem solvers. Many IT professionals work in teams on different parts of technology projects. So, they need to be self managers who can complete parts of projects on time but work with the rest of their team members. Excellent communication skills are also a must, as IT professionals communicate with co-workers and clients on a daily basis. They can’t hide behind their computer screens.
Pros and Cons on the IT Super Highway
One great thing about IT is there are always changes and new technologies being developed and new opportunities to try those technologies. For example in the next few years, hot jobs in IT according to a Wall Street Journal article include, ' … cyber security and cloud computing, and mobile- and Web-based games and apps are exploding.'
The constant changes in computer technology can also be a real difficulty, because IT professionals must be flexible and not only willing but able to learn new computer technologies quickly and constantly. Nothing stays the same very long in IT.
IT Skills are Sizzling with Career Potential
There are no clear cut educational paths to an IT job. But all IT jobs require a high school diploma and some post-secondary (college) training. Many IT careers like a computer software engineer, one of the top career on the US News and World Reports 50 Best Jobs of 2011, require a bachelor’s degree (4 years of college).
IT is a Hot Commodity
Information technology is a career field with huge need and huge potential. IT professionals get to work on the edge of technology with computers every day. 'Business expansion and the increased reliance on technology within all sectors has resulted in a competitive environment for skilled IT professionals,' said Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology. 'Many companies are raising base compensation for new hires and offering additional perks, including signing bonuses and equity incentives, to recruit and retain top candidates.'
