Finding your career path in IT
As businesses increasingly rely on computer networks and systems to support everyday operation, the need for skilled IT professionals with a strong computer science background continues to grow.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow faster than the average across all U.S. occupations.* They attribute the projected increase in job opportunities to more emphasis on information security, collection and storage of big data, and cloud computing.
Here is a list of nine common career paths you can potentially follow by going back to school to earn an IT-related undergraduate degree.
IT Support Technician / Specialist
- Recommended degree level: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $78,640 per year - $37.81 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook: 7% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree options: Certificate in Information Technology - Technical Support, Associate of Science in Information Technology (IT), Bachelor of Science in IT
Businesses rely on technical support specialists to maintain computer systems and provide full-time analysis, troubleshooting and evaluation of computer network problems. Examples of responsibilities in this role can include testing and evaluating network systems, performing regular maintenance, and troubleshooting miscellaneous internal and external network issues.
The education requirement to become an IT support tech can vary widely based on the job, with some positions requiring an undergraduate degree to qualify.
If you enjoy troubleshooting technical issues, have good people skills, enjoy a fast-paced working environment, and are more interested in a support/maintenance role in IT (rather than something more solitary, such as programming), this might be a great starting point for you in the IT field.
Information Security Analyst
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $124,740 per year - $59.97 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook 32% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree option: Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
The security of sensitive information on computer networks and systems has become a huge emphasis in our increasingly connected global economy. More and more businesses and governments must take a vested interest in securing their networks and protecting their customers’ and employees’ personal information.
As an IT security analyst, you’ll be responsible for safely securing computer networks from potential breaches or cyber-attacks. You’ll need to be an expert in network infrastructure administration, information assurance and security, ethical hacking, cryptography, network forensics and defense, and much more. A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree curriculum includes the education you need to qualify for jobs in this career field.
Information security analyst represents one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country. With major growth anticipated and an excellent average salary, this career path can be well worth the time and energy needed to earn a degree.
Software / Application Developer
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $138,110 per year - $66.40 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook: 26% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree options: Associate of Science in Software Development, Bachelor of Science in Software Development
Software developers design computer programs and applications. Behind every app there’s a team of developers and engineers working to make it user-friendly, useful and indispensable for a specific purpose.
Developing an application can be a very complex process, from the design phase, to functionality, to quality assurance and testing, to evaluating user behavior and feedback, to maintenance and upgrades. Depending on the job, developers can wear many different hats demanding a variety of skills and tasks, including programming, modeling, testing, documenting and reporting, and much more.
Classes Start July 8th
Waived Enrollment FeeComputer Systems Analyst
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $110,800 per year - $53.27 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook 10% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree option: Bachelor of Science in IT with a Concentration in Data Analytics
Computer systems analysts use techniques such as data modeling to support the design of computer systems, working with programmers and engineers to provide the information needed to build systems as efficiently as possible. They can play a role in testing and quality assurance, working to find and solve problems in complex computer systems.
Analysts are also generally responsible for communicating IT needs from a business perspective, ensuring decision-makers have a full understanding before allocating budgets and determining what updates and changes are worth the investment. As key facilitators between day-to-day production and management, some may adopt project management responsibilities.
Our IT data analytics bachelor’s degree concentration is built to help you prepare for these types of jobs. For analyst positions like these, a curriculum with courses emphasizing both business and technology is crucial to help you build the skills and knowledge needed to succeed right away in your first entry-level position.
Database Administrator
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $100,580 per year - $48.36 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook 3% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree option: Bachelor of Science in IT with a Concentration in Data Analytics
Database administrators ensure the efficacy of an organization’s data, working to ensure data security, prevent data loss, test and implement modifications, and much more. It’s their job to oversee the storage and organization of data and make sure it’s quickly accessible, secure and clean for analysts.
There are two general types of database administrators: system database administrators, responsible for ensuring the physical and technical fundamentals of databases, and application database administrators, those who work on the applications or set of applications that work with the database(s).
Computer Programmer
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $107,750 per year - $51.80 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook: -11% decline from 2022-2032*
- Degree options: Bachelor of Science in Computer Programming
Computer programmers are responsible for writing code for computer programs and applications. As builders of information systems, programmers work closely with software and application developers to make great ideas work.
By earning a degree in computer programming, you’ll develop skills in object-oriented programming, data warehousing, mobile app development, and learn the fundamentals of key programming languages including Python, C++, C#, Java, SQL, and JavaScript.
As a programmer, you are a problem solver with a specialty for digging into the details most others miss.
Those more interested in a behind-the-scenes role making things work rather than jobs in a client-facing or managerial role may find computer programming to be the best fit.
Computer and Information Systems Manager
- Recommended degree level: Bachelor’s or master’s degree
- Average salary: $180,720 per year - $86.88 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook: 15% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree options: Bachelor of Science in IT, Bachelor of Science in Technology Management
With enough education and experience in the field of IT, you can eventually qualify for managerial and administrative roles and become an IT manager.
IT managers plan and direct computer and technology-related activities for a business or other organization, facilitating projects and negotiating the personnel needed to solve problems and meet goals. Some IT managers can potentially ascend to a role as a Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the highest level of business operations.
You can prepare for a management career path in IT at the bachelor’s level by enrolling in our technology management bachelor’s degree program. However, there may be instances where employers require applicants to hold a master’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Health Information Manager/Technician
- Recommended degree level: Associate or bachelor’s degree
- Average salary: $70,260 per year – $33.78 per hour (BLS)*
- Job outlook: 17% increase from 2022-2032*
- Degree options: Associate of Science in Health Information Management, Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management
When considering your options in IT, the field of healthcare may not immediately jump to mind—but information technology has become a crucial component of how modern healthcare is delivered.
One of the fastest paths to begin working in health information technology is by pursuing a role as a medical records or health information specialist. Depending on the exact job you’re looking for, your responsibilities could include medical billing and coding, maintaining Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, handling insurance reimbursement, recording data for collection, storage, analysis and reporting, and much more. You can potentially qualify for these types of roles by earning a diploma or associate degree.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in health information management or technology can help you climb the ladder and qualify for managerial roles. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earn an average annual salary of $134,440 ($64.64 per hour).*
Your first step is getting educated
Information technology offers unique career pathways for many different types of people, including those interested in building, protecting, analyzing, or managing.
There is an IT career for you, and we exist to help you walk the career path that’s right for you. Our educational programs are designed for you to find the rewarding and lucrative career you’ve always wanted. We’re here to help you take that first big step.
Discover our many degree options in IT
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
Classes Start July 8th
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