IT Insight: IT skills in great demand

Like almost every other industry, the Information Technology sector needs talented, trained employees. Within this industry, growth is much faster than other industries, at 11% projected growth between 2019-2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With great reliance on data management, analysis, and storage as well as cyber security and cloud computing, demand for these workers is intense.

For those interested in careers in technology, the time is opportune. With technology evolving at a rapid rate all around us, seeking education in the early stages of trending technology will position one for success in the future. Getting educated in a forward trending skilled career or seeking employment with an IT provider that will offer certifications and education within entry level positions is key.

A great entry-level opportunity is that of help desk, especially for companies that interact directly to support, troubleshoot, or provide customer service. Typically, an associate degree with additional technical skills is adequate, depending on the line of business.  Often these positions come with additional training and certifications and are a step to entry level IT positions.

A bachelor’s degree in Information or Computer Science is necessary for data management positions. Maintenance of the software used to manage a database and accessibility to those using it is essential. Additionally, backup, storage, replication, access, and data security fall within a Data Administrator’s role. Often this role can be an on-call position in case of an emergency. Supply and demand dictate high salaries in Data Analyzation and Management.

System Analysts analyze IT systems within a business and help to solve problems from within the infrastructure of the network. They analyze how software and hardware meet the business needs of their client. You will need strong problem-solving and communication skills for testing databases and programs to ensure they are running efficiently and maintaining documents and organization of the systems. A Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or Information Science is necessary as well as great analytical skills.

Perhaps one of the fastest growing technologies is that of Cyber Security. Whether you’re tasked with installing security software or able to understand malicious code, education will vary. You may be responsible for anything from installing and troubleshooting security software to writing security policy to keep the overall network safe from data breaches. An entry level position involves experience in technical writing at the least. Eighty-nine percent of higher-level jobs in cyber security require a bachelor’s degree and 23% require a master’s degree. To become a Chief Information Security Officer, you will need a bachelor’s degree and 7 to 12 years of experience including management with a deep technical knowledge.

Cloud architects are responsible for communicating with vendor for hardware, software, and cloud computing technology. It is a constantly changing field that involves staying on top of constantly changing technology. A bachelor’s degree is required as well as a master’s and additional certifications in AWS (Amazon Web Services), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect or Google Certified Professional Data Engineer.

Your education and certifications will pay off salary wise. Perhaps the best road to certifications after college, is to work for a Managed Service Provider. You will be exposed to all these occupations and more. Further, if you show promise and diligence, you will be rewarded with paid certifications, often saving you thousands of dollars in your quest of IT satisfaction.

The IT sector is booming with promise and future. Find yours today.

JoAnn Hodgdon is vice president and co-founder of Portsmouth Computer Group (PCGiT) with her husband David. PCG provides comprehensive managed IT services, business continuity, security, cloud computing and Virtual CIO services to their clients. You may reach her at joann@pcgit.com or at www.pcgit.com.