In Part 1 of the Industry Overview for Information Technology, we will discuss the basics of what Information Technology is, some of the different career paths in IT, and what a typical career trajectory might look like for you. In Part 2 we discuss the degrees and experience required to land a job, the top skills currently needed in the industry, and the industry’s growth potential and salary range, compliments of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.BLS.gov).
Transcript
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Narrator: Most careers in IT can begin with just a Bachelor's Degree in either Computer Science or Information Technology. If you're looking for a job in software programming or development, you'll most likely be required to write code in the programming language used by the hiring company. Even if you're applying for a non-programming job, most employers will expect a basic working knowledge of common languages such as HTML or C++. As you progress in your career, some higher level positions such as IT Manager, Systems Analyst or Cloud Architect may require a Masters of Information Science or similar. If your ultimate goal is to become a Technology Business Consultant or to run a larger corporation's IT Department, you will mostly want to pursue an MBA in order to complement your tech skills with a strong business acumen. (light music) The most desired hard skills in IT typically mirror the technological innovations of the moment We can see that right now, as the top skills needed are: cloud computing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, augmented and virtual reality and mobile app design. Companies are also still looking for candidates with strong experience in the IT essentials of: UX development, cyber security and big data. But don't be fooled into thinking this industry relies solely on technical skills. Hiring managers are making it clear that landing an IT job today means having a strong core of soft skills as well. The top five skills that employers look for are: adaptability, communication, creativity, time management and analytical reasoning. Your technical skills may get you in but it's your soft skills that will move you up. (light music) The employment of information technology careers has almost always grown faster than the average for all occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects IT employment to grow 13% over the net 10 years with the greatest growth expected in cloud computing, big data and information security where job growth is the strongest at 28%. The median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations is just over $84,000 which is more than double the median annual wage for all occupations in all industries. Software developers and network architects currently lead the industry with median incomes of over $104,000. For the the most current IT growth and outlook data, please visit http://www.bls.gov. (light music)
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