Information technology (IT

Information technology (IT 

Information technology (IT) is the use of computer systems or devices to access information. Information technology is responsible for a large portion of our workforce, business operations, and, personal access to information, comprising much of our daily activities. Whether you are storing, retrieving, accessing, or manipulating information, IT greatly impacts our everyday lives.

Information technology is used by everyone from enterprise companies all the way down to one-person businesses and local operations. Global companies use it to manage data and innovate their processes. Even flea market sellers use smartphone credit card readers to collect payments and street performers give out a Venmo name to gather donations. If you use a spreadsheet to catalog which Christmas presents you bought, you’re using information technology.

What Are the Types of Information Technology?

Information technology is a broad term that involves the use of technology to communicate, transfer data, and process information.

The different trends within information technology include, but aren’t limited to:

  • Analytics
  • Automation
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Cloud computing
  • Communications
  • Cybersecurity
  • Data/database management
  • Infrastructure
  • Internet of things
  • Machine learning
  • Maintenance and repair
  • Networks
  • Robotics
  • Software/application development
  • SCADA

This list is by no means exhaustive and new applications for the technology are constantly emerging.

What Is the Role of Information Technology?

Information technology plays a prominent role in business and provides a foundation for much of our current workforce. From communications to data management and operational efficiency, IT supports many business functions and helps drive productivity.

Why Do We Need Information Technology?

Information technology drives much of what we do in our personal and professional lives. It is the foundation of our communication, technological advancement, innovation, sustainability, and recreation. We use information technology on a personal level to connect and communicate with others, play games, share media, shop, and be social.

From a career perspective, information technology is largely responsible for much of our business operations and spans nearly every industry. From healthcare to food services, manufacturing to sales, and beyond, we rely on IT to help connect us to others, store and manage information and create more efficient processes.

IT Career Opportunities

According to Cyberstates 2020, there were 12.1 million technology-based jobs in 2020, which continues to grow year over year. Careers in IT span many different areas, from computer hardware and software development to networking, computer repair, technical support, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data science and so much more. What originally began as a siloed department, information technology is now considered a critical business function that impacts nearly every aspect of an organization.

What Exactly Is an IT Job?

An IT job is any position that involves the implementation, support, maintenance, repair, or protection of data or computer systems. Those involved in the development, deployment, or support of the systems or applications others use are the most common examples of IT jobs. If you like problem-solving and being an active learner, a technology job could be right for you.

Examples of IT Jobs

IT jobs run the gamut. Here’s a brief rundown of some IT job possibilities. Keep in mind that these positions can also be industry-specific, so you could work one of the following roles in an industry of your choice.

Hardware-based IT jobs could include any of the following:

Software-based jobs might involve developing applications or programs and may include the following:

  • Software developer
  • Software engineer
  • Programmer
  • Mobile application developer
  • Web developer
  • Product owner/support

IT jobs that involve data protection or incident response fall under cybersecurity and may include the following:

Jobs in information technology that involve data collection, storage, or analysis fall under data jobs, which may include:

As with any industry, several IT jobs are leadership positions. These may include jobs such as:

What IT Jobs Pay the Best?

Typically, IT jobs pay more based on complexity or leadership level. For example, if an IT position requires a high level of technical expertise, a computer science degree, or an executive position, you are looking at a higher wage.

According to Salary.com, here are some of the highest-paid IT jobs.

  • Computer and information systems managers earn a median wage of $146,360
  • Cloud engineers earn a median wage of $136,479
  • Cybersecurity engineers earn a median wage of $134,340
  • Computer and information research scientists earn a median wage of $122,840
  • Computer hardware engineers earn a median wage of $117,220
  • Computer network architects earn a median wage of $112,690
  • Software developers and software QA analysts and testers earn a median wage of $107,510

What Is the Easiest IT Field to Get Into?

Fortunately, IT professionals are in fairly high demand. Some IT fields are easier than others to enter. Other fields can be very competitive or require highly specialized skills.

Here are some of the easiest fields to enter in information technology, most of which can be accomplished without a bachelor’s degree and will have readily available job openings.

  • Technical support
  • Computer repair/technician
  • Desktop support
  • Network support

IT certifications prove to employers that you have the skills needed for technology jobs, even if you don’t have a degree. CompTIA A+, an entry-level IT certification, is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and covers the foundational skills needed to get your first IT job and build a successful IT career.

What Are Good Entry-Level IT Jobs?

If you’re looking for an entry-level IT job, you might have good luck starting with the following:

  • Computer repair specialist
  • Help desk
  • Web developer
  • Technical support

Is Information Technology a Good Career?

The short answer is yes, absolutely! Information technology provides careers in varying levels of complexity and allows you to work in nearly any vertical industry you like. Because information technology is the foundation for much of our business operations, the options are boundless. Wages also afford a good standard of living and there is little chance that your job will become obsolete.

Information technology isn’t just a good job. There are so many opportunities for advancement and continuing education that allow you to take control of your career pathway. For example, you could start as a Tier 1 help desk technician and advance to Tiers 2 and 3 as you gain experience and improve your skills.

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