Stepping into the world of IT work is a good choice at any level. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) growth in IT-related occupations is projected to grow 15 percent throughout the next decade, resulting in around 700,000 new jobs during the next decade with about 420,000 job openings per year from growth and replacement needs. With an average annual wage of around $100,000 per year, it is perhaps the fastest growing field with the highest entry level wages. It is a great field to consider if you enjoy solving problems, designing things that serve a purpose, and helping people.
Job seekers can join the IT world without a four year college degree in entry level jobs and by earning certifications and can rise quickly with hard work and tenacity. Some entry level IT related jobs that do not require a college degree include: computer help desk, technical support specialist, junior level data analyst, junior web designer, social media associate, and service technician. Some free/low cost certifications are: Codeacedemy, Harvard Online Learning, LinkedIn Learning, and Google Career Certificates.
Working in the field of IT requires both hard technical skills and soft skills. Hard technical skills include coding, social media management, operating system knowledge, and database management among others and require the ability to write, strong attention to detail. Soft skills that you will need working in an IT-related field include the following: communication, organization, analytical abilities, creativity, problem-solving abilities, resourcefulness, and initiative. IT jobs require both teamwork and working independently and exist as an important part of nearly all businesses.
Gaining an entry level IT job has a high probability of leading to new opportunities and the potential for strong earnings in the near future. Consider gaining a free or low cost IT training or certification. Let AACF help you gain training and secure your first IT job. Reach out to us for more information on free IT training opportunities. The sky’s the limit!