You want to get into IT — but you want to go about it the right way. Too many new IT professionals launch themselves into a tech career without first pursuing the credentials they will need to improve their status and earning potential. The truth is that having an IT degree will give you the skills and knowledge necessary to function well in high-level IT roles, and because so few IT workers bother to pursue degrees, you will be able to advance up the career ladder with relative ease.
But — what does an IT degree look like? This guide will help you set your expectations for an IT degree program, so you can make the most of your studies and start your career with the best potential for success.
IT Certifications
During your early years as an IT worker and after you earn a degree, you should be pursuing various IT certifications. There are dozens of different types of certs that demonstrate your aptitude in the diverse fields of IT, to include information security, database architecture, ethical hacking, project management and more. Different certifications have different requirements for qualification; some are available to entry-level IT workers with less than one year of experience, while others require several years of paid work as well as other credentials like degrees.
If you want to enjoy a lifelong career in IT, you need to become familiar with certifications. You might consider making a list of certifications that appeal to you based on your interests and expectations for your career. Then, you will know when to begin pursuing specific certs to catapult your career forward.
Associate Degrees in IT
An associate in information technology is the lowest level of degree you can earn in the IT field. Typically requiring two years to complete, these degree programs will provide you with a broad overview of computer science, with coursework related to the fundamentals of computer networks, programming principles, virtual communication strategies and basic troubleshooting.
While an associate degree in IT could help you secure employment on the helpdesk of more competitive IT teams, the truth is that this degree is not particularly valuable in the field. If this is the only level of higher education you expect to achieve, you might as well begin your IT career without any degree credential. Still, if you plan to roll the credits earned through your associate degree into a bachelor’s degree program, this could be a practical step in your IT education journey.
Bachelor’s Degrees in IT
Perhaps the most common degree in the IT field, a bachelor’s degree typically involves four years of study at a university. During the first two years of your program, you will be exposed to introductory computer science concepts — which can be covered over the course of an associate degree program. The last two years of a bachelor’s degree program tends to involved more advanced and more specialized instruction, often from professors who have become experts in their field.
A bachelor’s degree gives you more opportunity to delve deeper into the field of IT and gain greater mastery over certain skills. Some bachelor’s degree programs also help students connect with future employers through internships or work-study programs, which allow you to begin developing your work experience while earning a valuable education credential. You should look for programs that offer you flexibility while awarding a high degree of prestige, like UAGC’s BS in Information Technology with ABET accreditation.
With a bachelor’s degree in hand, you can bypass many of the lowest entry-level positions in IT. If you manage to specialize during your degree program, you can begin your career in that specific tech field, or else you might find higher-paying roles like information technology analyst, information systems manager or systems administrator.
Master’s Degrees in IT
A master’s degree provides you the opportunity to delve even deeper into specialized, high-level areas of IT. Usually just two years, a master’s degree is a difficult credential to earn because it introduces and explores complex concepts that require concentration and effort to understand.
Though a bachelor’s degree is a requirement for a master’s degree program, it is not advisable to move directly from a bachelor’s degree program into a master’s program without taking some time to earn real-world experience. Not only will engaging with real IT environments provide you more accurate insights into how IT systems function, work experience could also help you determine the direction in which you want to point your career. Then, with your master’s degree, you can specialize in a field that will increase your earning potential and ignite your passions.
Conclusion
There is one higher tier of IT degree that you could earn: a doctorate. However, this degree is so rare in industry that unless you develop an interest in an academic career, you might as well ignore it. As a newbie in IT, you should focus on a bachelor’s degree and certifications, which will put you on the right path to success.