Careers in Information Technology Services [Third Installment]

As we discovered in the previous two series installments, employment in IT services are projected to grow rapidly over the next decade, outpacing similar professional, scientific, and technical industries and the economy as a whole.

Today’s The Daily Leap post, which is the final installment in this well-received series, describes how individuals typically prepare for a career in IT services.

Preparation for IT Careers

So how can someone get started in an IT career? There are many paths. Having both general and specific skills is helpful. But for many jobs, formal training is essential.

Skills

A general foundation, such as ease with computers and a curiosity about how they work, is important for working in IT. And several specific skills may be helpful for a variety of IT occupations, especially for those that are expected to remain in demand.

• Business aptitude. High school classes in mathematics are helpful for establishing a strong foundation for IT training and for business-related subjects ranging from accounting to finance.
• Wireless networking proficiency. Workers in this area need to be detail oriented to effectively design, install, and maintain wireless networks and systems.
• Information security knowledge. Specialized training prepares IT workers to gain expertise in these issues.

Degrees

A bachelor’s degree is the usual minimum qualification for many IT jobs. Those who do the most complex tasks may need a master’s degree.

The most applicable degrees for IT jobs are those in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or information systems. But many other types of degrees can lead to a career in information technology, including management, electrical and computer engineering, mathematics, and arts and humanities.

Not all IT workers need a bachelor’s degree, however. One example is computer support specialists. Jobs in this occupation may be open to applicants who have a high school diploma, some college, or an associate degree.

Certification

Certification programs usually require candidates to take a test or a series of tests; a passing score represents to employers an IT applicant’s or worker’s knowledge and skills. Some programs allow candidates to study on their own for these tests, and others offer test-preparation courses.

IT product vendors generally offer certification in the computer software or hardware they produce. Some vendors require certification for people who work with their products. Professional organizations offer voluntary certification programs in a broad range of subjects, such as wireless networking and information security.

Before entering such programs or paying any fees, workers should research the program to determine its reputation within the IT community.

Calculating the Return on Your College Investment

College costs continue to rise above the rate of inflation, and many people are beginning to wonder at what point they really get a return on their investment. In the article “Money Matters: Can You Truly Calculate the Return on the College Investment?” Jeff Selingo, editor at large of The Chronicle of Higher Education, takes a closer look (Selingo, Jeff. LinkedIn.com. 11/30/12).

Many economic tools assess the value of higher education, and most make it clear that, in general, a college education does pay off. Varied sources estimate that the difference in lifetime earnings for college versus high school graduates can range from $250,000 to $1 million.

Some states are attempting to go a step further by calculating the return on investment of specific majors and specific colleges. Currently, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia are providing data on average wages earned for graduates within particular majors at their state colleges and universities.

Using this Data

This state-specific data could be a useful tool. For example, a student who’s interested in studying business and considering two colleges in Virginia can start by comparing the difference in tuition at both colleges. Next, he/she could compare each college’s student graduate database for average wages earned by business majors. The results could show one college’s degree leading to a bigger financial payoff after graduation, and that could influence the student’s decision on which college to attend.

Considering Shifts in the Economy

When reviewing results, keep the data in perspective. Remember, the economic outlook is always changing. This could mean that the ten highest paying majors this year may not be the same in future years. Plus, some programs offered today weren’t around ten years ago, thereby yielding little or no data for comparing these programs.

Remember the Limitations of the Data

At this point, only Colorado, Nevada, and Texas are expected to join Arkansas, Tennessee, and Virginia in using student graduate databases. Also, students need to consider that these databases may not have information about graduates who are self-employed or who left the state.

However, even with limited data, this trend is pointing to one more college search tool that may be helpful for students in the future.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Veterans Day Edition

With heartfelt gratitude for their outstanding service, bravery, and sacrifice, we dedicate this weekly roundup to our nation's veterans and active duty personnel who now look to transition from the armed services to the civilian workforce.

• CMF re-aired a November 2011 podcast in recognition of Veterans Day in Florida’s Seminole County and to raise public awareness to the "issue of women veterans and the propensity of many of us to overlook women veterans”.

• Teach for America announced its first veterans recruitment initiative, You Served For America, Now Teach For America.


• Operation Workforce, which serves as an online one-stop for veteran resources and services in Georgia, was announced at the Georgia Jobs for Veterans Employer Breakfast.


• Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared November as Hire a Veteran Month and announced a series of upcoming career fairs for veterans titled Operation Vet Connection 2012.


• U.S. News & World Report highlighted scholarship opportunities for veterans transitioning to civilian life, including the GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill, the American Legion's Nontraditional Student Scholarship and the Veterans United Foundation Scholarship Program.

Does a College Degree Really Help your Career?

My ten year-old daughter knows in the abstract sense what I do. She knows I write resumes and that I help people “get jobs” (her words, not mine). At bed time last night she asked me if going to college is really important to having a career. Like every good parent I said, “Yes, of course.” However, it made me really think about her question, so I started some research.

With the cost of a college education rising by leaps and bounds every year, I sometimes wonder if anyone will be able to afford that education in the future. Did you know that Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Michael Dell, and Richard Branson are all college drop-outs? If these billionaires made it without a college degree, does someone who is targeting a middle class income really need a college degree?

Here are some general facts I found about the benefits of a college education.

• It is estimated that a person with a bachelor’s degree will earn almost twice during their lifetime as much as those with a high school diploma. Someone with an associate’s degree will earn almost 25% more than just a high school diploma.

• Positions that require a college degree are not only higher paying. These positions often offer better health care and life insurance as well as retirement benefits.

• A college education does not guarantee a job or job security. You must do your research before pursuing an education. Conduct your labor market research, verify the career’s outlook in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, and be sure that the future growth for the industry is solid.

• People without a college degree are more likely to perform unskilled labor positions. These are most often the types of positions that are being outsourced to other countries or being replaced with technology or automation.

• The amount of money you will make in your career of choice must make sense in terms of the cost of the degree you intend to pursue. Once again, conduct your labor market research before you make a decision.