Finding an Information Technology Job That is Right for You
Information technology permeates just about every aspect of our lives, so it’s little wonder that the IT field is booming. If you’d like to embark on a career that’s sure to have plenty of opportunities now and in the future, IT is the way to go. Of course, there’s more than one path you can follow in this particular field. Choosing the right one is a critical first step, and you can get a feel for the kind of IT job you’d like by learning more about the most popular and in-demand positions.
You have to Start Somewhere
Regardless of the specific IT career path that you choose, one thing is certain: You’re going to start near the bottom. Three things come into play when it comes to landing more senior positions in the IT industry: experience, education and connections. Just because you’ve obtained your degree doesn’t mean you’re a shoo-in for any position. Still, you can’t get where you’d like to go without starting in the correct place. If you choose an entry-level position that doesn’t make sense for your ultimate goals, you’ll be wasting your time.
Gain Valuable Experience
In the old days, people often stayed with the same company throughout their careers. That’s no longer true. In fact, it’s in your best interests to move around a little early in your career. You’ll have an easier time doing so when you have a degree from a respected school. There are lots of IT schools out there. Make sure to choose one that has connections with the local IT community. Once you’re finished with school, start applying for entry-level IT positions. Many people start out in this field as software developers, and it’s often easy to move on to different positions within a company later. All experience isn’t good experience, though. If you have your degree, you’ll be wasting your time with something like a help desk support position.
Learn from Others
As you get comfortable in the world of IT, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the various positions that are available. The typical IT department includes system administrators, database administrators, graphic designers, technical writers, project managers and IT managers. Try to get to know all of these people. In doing so, you’ll be able to see what their jobs are about. This is undoubtedly the best way to figure out what your ultimate career goals are going to be.
Once you’ve pinpointed a position that you’d like to obtain later in your career, focus on acquiring the skills that are needed to get there. Some positions require strong leadership skills while others are highly creative. Most importantly, choose something that you really want to do. Everything else should unfold easily from there.
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