Information technology degree jobs: 5 in-demand careers to consider

If you’re interested in launching a career in tech, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology is an excellent choice. Information technology degree jobs are growing and well-paying, even at the entry level.

But information technology (IT) is an expansive field that contains many different specialties, making it hard to know where to start looking. To help you evaluate your options, we compiled this list of five promising IT degree jobs that could be yours with the right education and training.

Why pursue an information technology degree?

If you’re going to invest your time, energy and money into a college degree, you want to know it’ll be worth it in the long run. Expanding your knowledge and skill set is great, but you also need to pay the bills.

The good news for those pursuing an IT degree is that the field is full of promising opportunities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in the computer and information technology field is projected to grow 15 percent through the next decade. This is a rate three times faster than the average for all occupations.

On top of that, professionals in the IT field tend to be compensated well. The BLS lists the median annual wage for technology employees in 2021 at $97,430, which is more than twice the national average for all occupations. It’s important to note that this average reflects workers nationwide and those of all education and experience levels, but this is still a promising indicator of the earning potential for IT degree jobs.

5 exciting information technology degree jobs

Whether you want to work at a small start-up or a Fortune 500 company, IT degree jobs can be found in nearly every industry. Let’s explore five of the many careers you could pursue with a degree in information technology.

1.     IT support specialist

This is a common entry-level job and is a great launching point for any career in tech. As an IT support specialist, you’d be a go-to resource for users encountering technical problems they can’t solve by themselves. This is a direct support position that combines customer service and IT mastery. Depending on the role, you may work with consumers, internal users, vendors, executives and/or consultants via phone, zoom, chat or remote access.

IT support specialists often carry out tasks like:

• Analyzing, assessing and debugging products, hardware, software and programs
• Documenting users’ computer issues and guiding them through recommended troubleshooting steps
• Repairing user workstations and equipment

IT support specialists must have first-rate customer service abilities and a cool head under pressure. In this rewarding role, you’ll become an expert at solving problems in a wide variety of programs and equipment, which looks great on a resume.

2.     IT solutions architect

These professionals are responsible for connecting the dots between business challenges and tech solutions. The day-to-day tasks vary considerably depending on the industry and needs of the company. IT solutions architects typically work on teams, collaborating with computer network architects, enterprise architects and others.

Examples of IT solutions architect job duties include:

• Studying internal processes and identifying opportunities for improvement
• Collaborating across business units to develop strategies and maximize efficiencies
• Consulting with clients and stakeholders to determine priorities and create solutions

This job requires creativity and critical thinking, in addition to essential IT skills. If you like thinking outside the box and tackling complex challenges, this could be a great fit for you.

3.     Cybersecurity engineer

Cybersecurity engineers have an essential role in any organization. They design, develop and implement security protocols in order to protect data and networks from cyberattacks and hacking. These IT professionals are skilled in assessing security systems, finding weak spots and innovating solutions to fix them.

A few cybersecurity engineer responsibilities include:

• Designing and implementing cybersecurity programs
• Testing internal networks, applications and data systems to look for unsecured data
• Carrying out external penetration tests that mimic real-life hacking attempts

To be successful in this role, you’ll need excellent analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills. You have to be able to think like a hacker and fix like an engineer.

4.     Business analyst

Business analysts use data to identify and solve issues across the entire company, including organizational structure, IT processes, staffing, products and services. Their responsibilities span departments and focus on more than just tech issues. But the fact that technology is embedded in nearly every aspect of an organization means they need to be highly agile IT professionals.

Business analysts take on a large variety of projects or problems a company is facing, which makes it difficult to list their duties precisely. But in general, they aim to improve efficiency, enable change and recommend solutions that create value for stakeholders.

Some common business analyst duties include:

• Identifying the needs within a company and collaborating with other units to define priorities and strategies for achieving goals
• Researching and compiling data into presentations, charts and other data visualizations to be presented to organizational leaders
• Budgeting, forecasting and building out financial models

Becoming a business analyst requires a unique blend of business and technological know-how. If you are already business savvy, earning an IT degree would help round out your skill set to take on this dynamic role. A degree in information systems management is also a great option for a more balanced education program.

5.     IT project manager

If you’re a highly organized, dependable and detail-oriented person looking to take advantage of the growth in the tech field, a job in IT project management could be a great option. These professionals act as ringmasters for complex projects. They are experts at juggling many moving parts and choosing the best management methodology for the task at hand (i.e., Scrum, Agile, Kanban, Lean, etc.).

Typical duties for IT project managers include:

• Developing and tracking budgets for specific projects
• Overseeing the daily operations of a group, team or department
• Gathering, analyzing and sharing information with stakeholders and team members

These IT professionals are often also responsible for supervising a project or product team, so leadership skills are important. They are needed in many kinds of industries, especially healthcare, finance, technology and education. A degree, emphasis or minor in IT project management can equip you for this important role.

Find your ideal IT degree job

The list above is just scratching the surface of the many information technology degree jobs out there. In such a large field, career opportunities come in all shapes and sizes. Once you’ve established a strong foundation of knowledge and skills, you’ll be well-equipped to take on whatever IT job interests you.

Ready to take one step closer to qualifying for one of these IT degree jobs? UMass Global offers multiple ways to learn in order to fit your busy schedule. Start exploring your options:

• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (online)
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (self-paced)