A Career in Information Technology

This article is copied from Wall Street Journal Newspaper (September 2010)
Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704358904575478133397664058.html
PATHS TO PROFESSIONS
September 12, 2010, 7:31 p.m. ET

A Career in Information Technology

Summary:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in computer software engineering, for example, are expected to grow by 32% by 2018.

A strong background in the technical fundamentals of computer science and programming languages like Java, Microsoft.NET, and C++ are obviously important for success in the field.

A creative brain and an ambition to stay updated on the newest advances in the field -- whether through books or training -- are also key.

It's also important that you can communicate and work well with others, because you'll likely be working in a group with other programmers, engineers, or architects.

And don't expect to arrive at an interview with strong grades as the main proof of your desirability as a candidate — be prepared to show hiring managers your code from a class project or a student competition (read: get involved with activities outside of your core course load) or a program you created in your spare time.

Salaries in information technology are strong — Web developers start out earning an average of $38,800 a year, according to salary data from PayScale.com. With several years of experience, you can earn $94,800 per year as an information technology program manager, or $93,600 per year as a software development manager. And many companies pay much more for skills that are in-demand

Common Majors: Computer Science and Management Information Systems (MIS)

Personality Fit for IT: Curious, creative problem solvers with strong technical abilities.

Getting Started: While there's not a set career trajectory in IT, as a recent college graduate, you might enter the workforce as an entry-level computer programmer or software engineer, where you'd be writing or updating code or engineering computer software. Recruiters say it can be a plus to have a sense of the creative side—the graphic design elements that compliment programming. But be cautious about focusing only on the latest hot tools.

Hot areas of IT where jobs are expected to grow include cyber security and cloud computing, and mobile- and Web-based games and apps are exploding.

After a few years, you could advance in the ranks to become a senior level engineer after becoming faster and more skilled at solving increasingly complex software solutions that involve more moving parts. But recruiters emphasize that ambitious and hardworking entry level hires can make an impact and advance quickly if they show the talent and the drive to continue taking on more responsibilities. An engineer with a knack for management might advance to become a project manager, directing groups of engineers and programmers. But if you prefer the technical side of the coin, you'd advance to become a senior developer, and then a team lead, in which you're advising the team of developers.

Within about 10 years, you might become an architect, in which you are mapping out and testing the kinds of technologies that will best accomplish your goal, and which requires a bigger picture view of the business and its objectives.