With all the media hype about the loss of IT-related jobs via off-shoring, it’s a good time to be in IT. In 2008, employment for IT-related jobs reached a new milestone of over four million. Over the next 8 years, IT majors will hold 3 of the top 8 growth jobs (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and will enter careers with strong salaries (Hot IT Jobs). So in a down economy the question remains, why would IT employment remain robust while unemployment is on the rise in many other job categories?
IT employment remains strong because all organizations rely on technology to conduct business and operate efficiently. With a premium placed on efficient productivity, IT-related skills are needed to help organizations use technology effectively to attain this objective. Therefore, IT-related jobs are a necessity if businesses want to remain competitive.
The field of IT is vast in terms of the areas of study and the types of jobs one can pursue, but the over arching goal of IT is to meet the needs of an organization. Some of the hottest jobs in IT include: developers, project managers, business analysts, network administrators, systems administrators, and IT security. Regardless of the area of emphasis, IT-related jobs are projected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the next decade (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
When looking to fill IT-related jobs, employers generally prefer applicants who have at least a bachelor’s degree in information systems management (ISM) or computer science. Job opportunities are best for applicants with a strong understanding of business and good communication skills, who can identify the needs of the organization, and provide implementable solutions. So despite what the media portrays, it’s good to be IT!