The following is a guest blog post from IT-oLogy intern Mollie Roe.
Going into college I was a business major. Was I eager to be Donald Trump’s next apprentice? Absolutely not. I knew I didn’t want to be a nurse, or engineer, or lawyer, so I chose business because that’s what I thought you were supposed to do if you didn’t want to have a career in the other well-known career fields. After crying during sophomore advisement, I realized I didn’t want to be a nurse, or engineer, or lawyer BUT I also didn’t want to go into accounting, risk management, or management science (all in within the business school). Was there something wrong with me that I didn’t want one of the “classic” American dream jobs? My dad told me I would be “poor” if I didn’t stick with a traditional major and my sister told me I was just meant to be a housewife! I knew they were wrong. I knew I just hadn’t found precisely what I loved yet. I am here to tell you don’t be afraid to go to college and chose a major that isn’t exactly traditional because it doesn’t mean you will be poor or weird. If you love the world of technology consider a career in information technology! Three of the top ten fastest growing careers are in the computer industry. And if you’re a woman, even better! Computer programming is one of the top ten best paying jobs for women. Take that Dad!
Many colleges, universities, and tech schools offer a major in information technology or a related field. Many of these colleges, universities, and tech schools are among IT-oLogy’s partners. Just a few examples include:
Benedict College (IT-oLogy partner)[1] | Computer Information Science, Computer Science, Computer Engineering |
Clemson University (IT-oLogy partner) [2] | Computer Science, Visual Computer, Human-Centered Computing (HHC) |
UNC Charlotte(IT-oLogy partner)[3] | Computer Science, Computer Science Financial Services Informatics Concentration, Certificate Program in Computer Game Development |
University of South Carolina (IT-oLogy partner) [4] | Integrated IT (housed in HRSM), Computer Engineering, Graphics and Engineering, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science |
University of Texas[5] | Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Graphics and visualization |
The top starting Salaries for college tech majors belong to:[6]
- Computer Science
- Information Sciences and Systems
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical/Electronics and Communications Engineering
Master’s Degree in Information Technology
Should you get your Master’s Degree? Some researchers say no, experience is the key tool in landing a job. Internships throughout college build your IT knowledge and help you network. However; when looking at the annual salary comparisons of someone who has their Master’s and someone who doesn’t, getting a Master’s gives you a competitive edge.
Let’s look at sample career options for Networking Systems Pathway
(Infrastructure Management)[7]
With an Associate’s Degree or Less | With a Bachelor’s Degree | With More than a Bachelor’s Degree |
Annual Salary Range $30,000-$50,000 | Annual Salary Range $40,000-$100,000 | Annual Salary Range $70,000-$150,000 |
Network Administrator, PC Support Technician, Computer Operator | Development Specialist, Product Support Engineer, Project Manager | Chief Technical Officer, Chief Security Officer, Network Engineer |
Forbes Magazine’s article, The $50,000 Question, and the Best and Worst Masters Degrees article firmly testifies that a Master’s in an IT field is worth the time, money, and headache. “Graduate schools lure in prey by promising career advancement. But not all degrees deliver. Graduate degrees in information technology, computer programming and engineering have proven value”.[8]
There are many Master’s Degree areas of study. Just to name a FEW:
- Information Security and Assurance
Software Design and Management - Digital Media Arts and Instructional Design
- Health Systems Administration
- e-Commerce
- Networking
- Healthy Information Technology
Look out for the second part of Mollie’s post about alternative IT degrees and certificates!