To become an IT professional, you will be expected to meet certain educational requirements.
This post provides detailed information on the IT professional educational requirements to help you understand what you need to do to become an IT professional, as well as the various opportunities available for the career, and how to succeed in it.
Why Choose IT Professional Career?
The career path of an IT professional can be very rewarding as it offers many opportunities for personal development and growth.
There are many reasons to become an IT professional, including:
Gain knowledge about computers and networking
Develop skills that help you solve problems
Work with people from different backgrounds
Learn new technologies
Use your creativity
Make money
Have fun.
IT Professional Education Requirements
In order to become an IT professional one must first obtain a Bachelor’s Degree.
A Bachelor’s degree is usually obtained after completing four years of college.
However, there are some exceptions, such as those who want to enter into the military service.
After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree, one must then complete two additional years of graduate school.
These additional two years are called the Master’s degree. After completing these two degrees, one can apply for certification by passing the Certified Information Systems Security Manager (CISM) exam.
After completing all of the above requirements, one may also need to pass an examination administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which is known as the “Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)”.
In addition, one may also need a background check before being hired by an organization.
IT Professional Continuing Education
Continuing education is required to keep up-to-date on new developments in the IT industry.
One can take continuing education courses through online learning platforms, such as Coursera, EdX, Udemy, etc.
Some organizations offer free continuing education classes while others charge a fee.
IT Professional Certification/License
There are several certifications available to IT Professionals. They include:
Certified Information Systems Security Manager (CISM)
Certified Information Privacy Professional(CIPP)
Certified Data Privacy Analyst(CDPA)
Certified Information Assurance Professional(CIAP)
Certified Information System Security Professional(CISSP)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM®)
Certified Information Systems Audit & Control Association (CISAC).
As an IT Professional, you should always ensure that your license is valid and current. You can do so by visiting the website of the state where you live.
If you don’t know what type of license you should have, you can contact the licensing agency in your area.
IT Professional Career Opportunities
There are various ways to pursue a career in IT. It depends on the individual’s interest and experience. Some of the most typical routes are as follows:
Network Administrator
A network administrator is responsible for maintaining network equipment and software. This includes things like servers, routers, switches, firewalls, wireless access points, etc.
2. Application Developer
An application developer creates applications or programs that run on the computer. This could be anything from creating a mobile app to writing code for websites.
3. Database Administrator
Database administrators maintain databases. This could mean managing the database itself or it could mean providing support services to other users.
4. Computer Technician
Computer technicians repair computers and related devices. They could work at home or they could work in a business setting.
5. Software Engineer
Software engineers create computer programs or apps. They might design them or they might write the code that makes them function.
Other career opportunities open to IT professionals include:
To advance your career as an IT professional, you must first understand how the technology works.
Then you must learn about the different types of technologies used today.
Finally, you must develop skills that will help you become more marketable. Here are some tips
Understand Technology
Technology is constantly changing. To stay relevant in this ever-changing world, you need to understand how it works.
There are several internet tools accessible to assist you with this process. For example, there are numerous books written by experts on the subject.
These books provide detailed explanations of each topic. Other sources of information include blogs, videos, podcasts, etc.
2. Learn About Different Types of Technologies
The field of IT has changed over time. As a result, the types of technologies used have also evolved.
In order to remain competitive, you need to keep up with these changes. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you learn about new technologies, including books, magazines, and websites.
3. Develop Skills That Will Make You More Marketable
The best way to advance your career is to develop skills that make you more marketable.
Many people think that learning technical skills alone will get them ahead. However, if you want to succeed in IT, you need to focus on developing soft skills such as communication, leadership, and team building skills.
4. Get Involved With Organizations
If you want to advance your career, then you need to get involved with organizations. By doing so, you can gain valuable experience and build relationships with others who share your interests.
5. Be Open Minded
One of the most important skills you can develop is being open minded. When you are open minded, you are able to accept ideas that may not seem logical.
Being open minded helps you to grow as a person and as an IT professional.
How to Find a Good IT Professional School
There are several factors that should be considered when choosing a school for an IT career.
Some of these include location, tuition costs, reputation, student body size, faculty credentials, etc.
Here are some factors to take into account before making a decision on the school to choose for IT professional training:
Location
Where do you plan to study? If you live close to campus, then you will save money on transportation expenses.
On the other hand, if you live far away from campus, then you will pay more for gas and parking.
2. Tuition Costs
How much does tuition cost at your top choice schools? The answer to this question depends on what type of degree you choose.
For example, if you decide to pursue a Bachelor’s degree, then you will likely pay less than $10,000 per year.
However, if you decide to go into graduate school, then you will likely spend between $20,000 and $30,000 per year.
3. Reputation
How well known is your chosen program? Ask around to find out which programs are highly regarded. Also, check out reviews on sites like Yelp or Google+.
4. Student Body Size
How big is the class size at your chosen IT professional school? Smaller classes usually mean better opportunities for networking and mentorship.
5. Faculty Credentials
What qualifications do the professors have? Do they hold advanced degrees? Are they published authors? Is their curriculum accredited? These are important questions you need answers to before deciding the school to enroll in for IT professional training.
How to be Successful in your IT Professional Career
In order to achieve success in your IT career, you can apply these tips:
Learn New Technologies
As technology advances, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay current. Therefore, you must always strive to learn new technologies.
This will ensure that your skillset remains relevant throughout your entire career.
2. Maintain Your Resume
Your resume is one of the first things potential employers see about you. Therefore, it is very important to keep it updated and accurate.
You should also make sure that your resume highlights all of your accomplishments and experiences.
3. Network
Networking is essential for any job search. It allows you to meet other IP professionals who can help you in your career.
In addition, it provides you with information about companies and positions that might interest you.
4. Stay Updated
It is extremely important to maintain a strong online presence. This includes keeping up to date with news articles, blogs, social media posts, etc.
These activities allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.
5. Keep Learning
If you want to remain competitive, then you need to continue learning. There are many ways to do this, including attending conferences, reading books, taking online courses, etc.
What Does an IT Professional Do?
An IT professional performs a variety of different tasks. They may work as computer technicians, network administrators, software developers, web designers, etc.
Qualities of a Good IT Professional
To become an effective IT professional, you must possess certain qualities, including:
Strong Communication Skills
The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is important for the IT professional career.
You must also be able to explain complex concepts in simple terms.
2. Problem Solving Abilities
As an IT professional, it is important to be able to resolve issues quickly and efficiently. You must also be able to work alone.
3. Ability to Work Well Under Pressure
You must be able handle pressure when working under tight deadlines. You must also be willing to take risks and try new ideas.
4. Self-Motivation
You must be self-motivated. You must be able to set and achieve goals.
IT Professional Salary
According to Glassdoor, the national average salary for an IT-professional in the United States is $67,437 per year.
IT Professional Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that employment in computer and information technology occupations will grow by 13 percent from 2020 to 2030.
This figure is faster than the overall average.
These occupations are expected to create approximately 667,600 new jobs.
Conclusion
If you are interested in becoming an IT professional, this post has provided the educational requirements you would need to fulfill to be hired.
It also provided other information to boost your knowledge of the IT professional career and how to be successful in it.
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