Online Information Technology Degrees
Information Technology (IT) is an exploding field in almost every imaginable industry. Executives recognize the unstoppable tide of technological development running through the current business environment. Almost every kind of business needs professional specialized assistance to get a handle on the technology they need to stay in business and keep an edge over their competition. Do you have what it takes to help them do this?
Online Information Technology Schools
Offers:
AASBA - Information Processing
MBA - Information Technology
MSM - Information Technology
BSBA - Information Assurance
BSBA - Information Systems Management
MS in Information Technology
MSIT - Business Intelligence
MSIT - Entrepreneurship
MSIT - Information Security and Assurance
MSIT - Project Management
BSIT/Applied Technology Track
BSIT/Applied Technology Track- Information Systems Management
BSIT/Applied Technology Track- Network Administration
BSIT/Applied Technology Track- New Media/Internet Marketing
BSIT/Applied Technology Track- Project Management
BSIT/Applied Technology Track- Web Development
BSIT/ Information Systems Track
BSIT/ Information Systems Track - Application Development
BSIT/ Information Systems Track - Database Management
BSIT/ Information Systems Track - Health Informatics
BSIT/ Information Systems Track - Information Security and Forensi
Information technology professionals are responsible for managing and maintaining computing resources and networks. This can encompass a number of different tasks depending on the kind of job involved. These tasks range from managing other IT professionals to writing and revising code. Key areas of interest also include Internet systems integration and security management.
Just one example of the growing demand for information technology professionals is in the area of financial services. As the world economy begins to come into its own, the financial services industry needs the services of IT professionals more than ever. The Economist reported at the end of 2009 that the financial services industry was on track to spend a total of more than $500 billion around the world on IT services. As the US economy recovers and the world economy continues to grow, this demand should only increase in the years ahead.
Some of the aptitudes that successful IT professionals share include cooperative problem solving, an interest in computer science and mathematics, and an interest in business. If this describes you, a career in information technology could be a lucrative and prosperous opportunity.
More Than Just Computers
While the technical skills involved with most IT careers are vital, personal skills are also essential. In pursuing the necessary education, prospective IT professionals should consider taking minor classes in the areas of economics, business management, and other business-related courses. Students who already have an interest in a particular kind of business, such as aerospace, would do well to focus their studies in that direction as a supplement to the essential technical training.
The kind of work that's available to IT professionals depends largely on the kind of education a candidate has received. For instance, some positions may require a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science while others may only require an Associate of Science degree in information technology. What's certain, however, is that the more education you have on your resume, the more doors will be open in terms of what career path you choose.
Salary
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT professionals generally make between $40,000 and $80,000. The salary earned depends greatly on education and experience.
Hitting the Books
Education is the most crucial component in determining the direction of your career. When selecting a school to receive an Associates or Bachelor's degree, be sure to do careful research before enrolling. Make sure that the program you're interested in is one in which you can succeed. Remember that for-profit schools will have you speak with counselors who are often motivated by commissions they earn to enroll you. Ask tough questions of counselors, instructors, students, and graduates.
Above all, ask about job fairs, industry recruiters, internships, and networking opportunities that will help you land a job after graduation. Do major companies recruit at the school you're considering? What kinds of jobs have actual graduates landed, and for what salaries?
Paying For School
On the question of financial aid, be sure to educate yourself on scholarships, government grants, and federally funded student loans that may help you pay for school depending on your needs and situation. Be sure to work the numbers yourself, taking into account the possibility of needing a few months after graduation to find a job and a reasonable expectation of your salary upon graduation. Will your pay allow you to service your loans and still cover the rest of your expenses? How long will it take to pay off your loans? Are you willing to do what's required to land a job in this field and persist?
Stay Active
Enthusiasm and passion are also important. There are several ways you can get started on your career and education before you even enroll in school.
For instance, if you plan to put yourself through school with a part-time job, consider finding work that will allow you to have contact with the world of IT or technology generally.
Another way to demonstrate your commitment is to join the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP). They offer student memberships, so you need not have officially begun your career to join. Much more than providing a nice bullet point on your resume, the AITP has networking and information resources that will give you a crucial toe in the door of the industry, vastly improving your prospects after graduation.
