Norman Davies Group Library
October 3, 2000

Getting ready for a career in I.T.

Today I.T. seems to be a young person's dream: take your pick of employers, define your own job, name your salary. But what's in it for everyone else? Opportunity. The shortage of skilled I.T. workers is creating unparalleled opportunity for "non-traditional" workers, a category that includes women, minorities and anyone over 40.

All you need is the right training. Fortunately, both industry and schools are scrambling to add new programs to meet the demand. And many are providing incentives and services specifically to attract the non-traditional student. So whatever your age, circumstances and goals, there's an I.T. program that's right for you.

New educational programs range from continuing education classes through graduate degree programs. They're being offered online as well as on-campus. Many schools are partnering with industry to develop programs consistent with employer's current needs.

Most students preparing for I.T. careers go for four-year degrees. According to recent industry statistics, 2/3 of all I.T. workers currently hold a bachelor's degree or higher. These degrees are primarily in science and engineering, with business as an alternative.

Here's an overview of the types of programs available to you:

  1. On-the-job training. Some employers are willing to take the time to train employees in the new skills needed to keep their systems up to date. This training is usually available for employees with current I.T. skills.

  2. Vendor certification. Software and hardware providers, such as Microsoft, Cisco, Novell, offer training in their own products. Students may take these courses direct from the vendor, with an online service or through a school, often a local community college. This is an excellent option for students seeking immediate job placement, but may be limiting in terms of career development.

  3. Undergraduate level certification. Many colleges and universities now offer certificate programs in selected I.T. areas. Students earn between 15 and 30 credits for these certificates, which can usually be applied toward a bachelor's degree, if desired.

  4. Community college certificate and associate's degree programs. Community colleges have been fastest to accommodate the needs of industry in providing students with flexible, career-oriented I.T. training. Some have established industry advisor boards to guide curriculum development. Others are working directly with vendors.

  5. Four-year and graduate degree programs. In addition to the traditional computer science and information systems degree programs, many colleges and universities are adapting their business programs to include I.T. specializations. Students can now choose between these technical programs and business-oriented programs, or even opt for a combination of both. A few universities are developing dual master's degree programs for students who want to develop skills in business management as well as specific industry expertise.

  6. Graduate level certification. Another increasingly popular option for workers who already have degrees is to gain additional training in a specialized area. They get the training they need with faster, advanced level certificate programs rather than going for another degree.

  7. Continuing education classes. Whether credit or non-credit, individual courses can get students started or keep them up to date in an I.T. field. These courses might even be sufficient training for workers who simply want to improve job skills.

With so many options available, how do you choose the program that's best for you? As with choosing any course of study, you must first consider your circumstances. Can you study full-time? Is there a suitable program offered near you, or do you want to study online? Is your employer willing to train you, or pay your tuition? It's worth taking the time to research any scholarships or grants available.

It's also important to keep your goals in mind. For example:
  • If your goal is to hold a top management title in a prestigious company, you'll want to gain the broadest education possible. Look into full degree programs that focus on developing general analytical and problem-solving skills. Consider an MBA with I.T. specialization or a dual MBA/MS program.


  • If your goal is to work as an independent contractor, you might want to build your skills with a particular vendor's systems. It won't be hard to develop credibility in your field with this expertise in your portfolio.


  • If you're looking for another career after retirement, certification gets you there quickly without the expense and time involved in a(nother) degree.


  • If you want to gain enough knowledge to be able to manage outside vendors (and speak their lingo!), a business-oriented information systems certificate may be sufficient.
No matter which path you choose, just remember that, as a working adult, you've already got what it takes to succeed in I.T. It's one thing to learn all there is to know about computers, programming, information systems, networking. It's another to gain expertise within an industry. Businesses need workers with technology skills. But they're desperate for workers with industry experience plus technology skills. That's your advantage.


Sources:
- The Digital Work Force: Building Infotech Skills at the Speed of Innovation, Carol Ann Meares and John F. Sargent, Jr., US. Dept. of Commerce Office of Technology Policy, June 1999.
- Education's Response to the Information Technology Worker Shortage, John Galvin, 1999.
- Computerworld, Third Annual Top Techno-MBA Survey, 1999.

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