What Can a Bachelor’s in IT Do for Your Career?
October 23, 2012
•Information Technology (IT)
• 0 Comments
Computers, network systems, and the Internet have become prevalent pieces of modern society. They are used for communication and operations at home, on the go, and within the structure of most companies operating around the globe. All of this technology requires individuals with a technical mind capable of not only interacting with this equipment, but also individuals capable of maintaining and repairing it.
Students who possess the proper technical knowledge and the ability to work with information technology systems may be considering a Bachelor’s in IT to provide a well-rounded education before entering the career field. What can that Bachelor’s in IT do for your career?
Not All Degrees Are Created Equal!
While an online degree in information technology can help prepare managers for effective leadership in the information age, not all of the degree programs out there are the same. When examining any program, make sure the school that offers it is accredited by an regional accrediting body like The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). A degree from an accredited school can be the differentiator in today’s competitive job market.
It’s a Degree Employers Want
Earning a Bachelor’s in IT will make graduates attractive to future employers. According to Yahoo! Education, citing the “Jobs Outlook 2012” from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 59.3% of employers are looking to hire IT grads in 2012. The field of information technology offers a variety of specific degrees, and many of them are in high demand.
Yahoo! Education also reported that graduates of computer and information sciences Bachelor’s degree programs finished as the third most sought after among employers for 2012. Additionally, 43.8% of employers are looking to hire graduates with a similar tech degree in management information systems.
It Can Bring About a Career Revival
Not everyone is fortunate enough to enter a career field upon graduation and stay in that career field throughout their entire working life. Sometimes people misfire in their educational choices and find themselves stuck in neutral with their career. For those in that position, a Bachelor’s in IT might help revive their career and lead to a second act.
According to Yahoo! Education the Bachelor of Computer Science ranked third on a list of “Five Popular Second Act Degrees.” Mary Jeanne Vincent, a career expert and strategist, said that “virtually every company relies on computers, so computer science is going to be a hot degree to have for a long time.” Citing the U.S. Department of Labor, Yahoo! Education backed Vincent’s belief with data showing that software developers, who typically hold IT degrees, will experience 30% job growth between 2010 and 2020.
If You Don’t Think You Have Time, You’re wrong
Going to school, whether straight from high school or as a professional in the workforce, is a time consuming task. However, some degrees are flexible and can be earned on a schedule that is easier for working professionals. Yahoo! Education points out that online Bachelor of Computer Science, an IT degree, programs are among the top five flexible degrees available to working adults.
Online IT degrees are not only flexible for adult students to earn while remaining in their current career field; it opens the door to a number of growing career fields in IT upon graduation. With the growing demand for mobile technology, IT is expected to remain strong in the years to come.
A Bachelor’s in IT is not going to be perfect for everyone, and not all graduates are guaranteed to experience the same success. However, the field of IT has a lot of opportunities that cannot be taken advantage of without earning a Bachelor’s in IT.
Sources:
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/degrees_for_adults.htm?wid=1004&svkid=EZPJ&usid=95d2e9f9-626c-463d-af89-dacf5db3d70d
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/second-act_degrees.htm?wid=1004&svkid=EZPJ&usid=95d2e9f9-626c-463d-af89-dacf5db3d70d
http://education.yahoo.net/articles/most_marketable_degrees.htm?wid=1004&svkid=EZPJ&usid=95d2e9f9-626c-463d-af89-dacf5db3d70d
http://www.ncahlc.org/Directory-of-HLC-Institutions.html