What does an IT professional do? What sort of work do IT professionals do? How do you become an IT professional? These are questions that anyone interested in the IT industry will eventually ask themselves, and this article will answer those questions and more! From looking at the various types of IT professionals to listing the educational options available to pursue a career in IT, this guide on how to get into the IT industry provides everything you need to know about entering the wonderful world of technology.
What Is The IT Industry?
The I.T industry is a large field that has many different jobs and levels of experience within it. So if you’re new to all of this, let me give you an overview of what I.T means as well as some ways you can enter it and start a career in it. Let’s start with defining what exactly it is that we are talking about.
The abbreviated version for information technology is IT, which is something that runs on computers or other machines and works to collect data or translate information. In today’s world, there are lots of fields that include aspects of IT like medicine the widespread use of medical devices, science, logistics digital tracking systems and more.
If you’re still looking for something that you want to work in, there are a ton of areas within IT that can be broken down into even more specific fields. From software development and computer programming languages like C++ or Java to networking or cybersecurity and everything in between. For example, if you’re interested in working with computers and data but don’t know what type of job you want to focus on, becoming a database developer is one option for you.
The IT industry is vast, as you can see, there are a ton of different jobs and opportunities within IT. This also means that there are all sorts of skills and educational requirements for each field you might be interested in pursuing. Some companies require extensive computer science degrees for entry-level jobs while others only need high school diplomas. It all depends on what company you’re applying to or what job you want to do.
How to Get Started in IT Industry
If you’re looking for a career in IT, where do you begin? Many paths may work for you, and knowing which ones will help make your journey smoother. In this post, we’ll discuss some of these paths and how they can help bring you closer to your ultimate goal.
1. Talk to People Who Are Already in It
Don’t be afraid of asking questions! Many professionals are more than happy to share information, especially if they believe that their advice will help you succeed and make them look good. There’s no faster way to learn about a field than from those who are working in it; leverage as many people as you can.
2. Learn Computer Skills
Regardless of your plans for a future career, it is never too early to learn about computers. In today’s world, almost every job requires some level of knowledge of how these devices work and what they are capable of. This advice is especially true if you want to work with computers at a higher level—no matter how much you know or don’t know now, try learning more.
3. Study The Course Relevant to Segment of IT That You Want to Pursue
If your end goal is to become a software engineer, learn about programming languages. If your goal is to work with computers in other ways, try learning about business or marketing practices. There are many courses available for various career paths, and there are no set limits on what you can learn—or how much—as long as it’s something related to IT. By learning these skills early, you will make yourself a more attractive candidate when applying for an entry-level position.
4. Learn as Much of Your Potential Field as Possible
If you want to become a software engineer, there is no shame in knowing absolutely nothing at first—in fact, it’s probably best. The more you learn about programming languages or algorithms before actually working with them daily, the faster you will be able to pick up new skills and advance further in your career.
5. Apply for Entry-Level Positions in Your Desired Field
You can’t expect to become an expert overnight, so don’t be discouraged if you are turned down. Applying early will let you work on developing your skills while holding down a job. Eventually, you should be able to move up in your field and do even more.
6. Never Stop Learning
Once you enter a particular career field, it is never too late to expand your knowledge. Even if you are working as an expert with years of experience under your belt, there are likely still things that you don’t know or can improve upon. If you want to remain relevant in today’s fast-changing world, keep reading and expanding your skillset. Eventually, you may even be able to become an authority on something!
7. Don’t Let Inexperience Hold You Back
One of the biggest mistakes a newcomer can make is ignoring their lack of experience. If you are applying for an entry-level position, your potential employer will likely be aware that you are new to your field—if they aren’t, it may be worth researching.
8. Get Hands-On Experience
Hands-on experience is key when you’re just starting, so consider volunteering for an open-source project or asking your local computer store if they have any IT internships available. If there aren’t any internship positions available, ask if they could use some help and let them know that you’re willing to work for free in exchange for on-the-job training. Most companies would be more than happy to take advantage of your eagerness.
Climb Up The IT Industry Career Ladder
Advance your career by starting with a bachelor’s degree program in computer science. Computer science programs are designed to give you a solid base of knowledge that you can build on as you continue onto graduate school or enter an internship and entry-level position within IT. After completion, you should be able to move easily between several types of positions and disciplines, including network administration, software development, information security and project management. In many cases, it won’t matter what part of IT interests you; often those who work their way up from entry-level roles end up in senior leadership roles within just a few years because they have multiple skill sets that span all aspects of IT.
You’ll also want to choose a school that is accredited by an accrediting agency. This means that your credits are transferable and you’ll be able to use them when entering a graduate program. There are plenty of online computers science degrees, but none will make it easy for you to transfer your credits if you decide later on that you want to go back for a master’s degree.
Conclusion
The IT Industry offers several different career paths, and becoming an IT professional can be an exciting way to build a successful future. If you are currently considering starting a career in IT, ask yourself some questions about your personality traits, work style, and current skill set. Would you prefer working on big projects for a large company or would you rather focus on smaller tasks for smaller businesses?
Perhaps you’d like to try something completely new that combines your passion for computers with your love of travel? Maybe you want to take advantage of booming technology trends by enrolling in a coding Boot camp. Whatever path is right for you, consider keeping these tips in mind as you begin planning your future as an IT professional.
FAQs
1. How do I know if an IT career is right for me?
To help you figure out if an IT career is right for you, ask yourself: Am I a strong communicator and problem solver who enjoys working with technology?
2. What type of education should I pursue if I want to work in IT?
If you’re interested in entering the IT field after high school or a two-year degree program, your best bet is usually going to be earning an Associate’s degree in computer science or network administration.
3. Is there any way that I can get started working in IT without going back to school?
Yes! There are lots of ways to get started working in IT without getting formal training first. Tons of top IT companies offer online courses and certifications that you can take to learn a new skill.
4. What kinds of careers am I qualified for once I earn my degree or certification?
The sky’s the limit when it comes to potential careers for tech professionals.
5. What kind of hours will I have to work if I choose an IT career?
Hours vary depending on where you work, but most jobs involve at least some night or weekend hours.
References
https://www.barringtoncollege.edu.au/how-to-climb-the-career-ladder/
https://gradaustralia.com.au/career-planning/it-and-communications-industry-overview
http://www.professionalsaustralia.org.au/information-technology/ict-industry-briefing/
https://www.acilearning.com/blog/7-tips-for-getting-into-it-with-zero-experience/
