Online Technology and It Degrees in Information Technology

IT is an increasingly global field, with major players like China and India making major contributions to the field. IT has become the backbone of some country's infrastructures. And with a wide variety of career paths available, IT represents a high growth field that can offer a lot to educated professionals.

Career Variety in Information Technology

Working in IT can involve a variety of roles, depending on your interest and your education:

• Computer programming
• Desktop and network support
• Software design
• Web design
• Telecommunications
• Network security
• Technical writing

Most roles in IT take place in office environments, with a significant amount of time spent in front of a computer or on the phone. Working with a team is a skill traditionally valued by employers, as well. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that the IT professionals with the most career opportunities should be those with expertise in business and communications.

Education for an IT Career

Most employers require a college degree for positions in IT. While most candidates typically have at least a four-year degree, two-year degrees and other certifications can qualify you for some positions as well. These degrees, such as an associate's or bachelor's can be earned on campus or online.

In turn, earning a degree can be the first step toward a career in IT, regardless of the specific field you are pursuing.

Salaries in IT

Many entry-level positions in IT are support or technician roles, allowing you to gain some initial experience while familiarizing yourself with various roles within the industry. However, as you gain experience, you can find yourself moving up the salary ladder. According to the BLS, these positions earned the following median annual salaries in 2007:

• Network administrator: $64,690
• Network analyst: $68,220
• Computer support specialist: $42,400

In addition to solid earnings potential, graduates of information technology programs can find employment in a variety of fields and industries including:

• Computer systems design
• Software publishing
• Colleges and universities
• Public education system

In 2007, the highest paying industries included natural gas distribution, computer manufacturing, as well as securities and commodity exchanges. As you seek out employment as an IT specialist, you may want to concentrate on the highest paying states according to the BLS:

• Massachusetts
• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• New York

Gaining experience in a variety of areas can help advance your career, and a degree program in IT can help you define your career and educational goals more concretely.

• Bachelor's - Business Administration - Security Management
• Bachelor's - Computer Information Systems - Business / Management
• Bachelor's - Computer Information Systems - Information Systems Security

• Security Technology

• Graduate Certificate - Information Security

• Associate Degree - Information Technology
• Bachelor Degree - Information Technology:Major in Network Management
• Bachelor Degree - Information Technology:Major in Systems Security

• AA in Information Technology
• AA in Information Technology / Database Development
• AA in Information Technology / Information Technology Support
• AA in Information Technology / Networking
• AA in Information Technology / Programming