By Dr. Novadean Watson-Williams | 10/17/2024
An information technology (IT) degree is a valued qualification that gives you a broad scope of knowledge and experience that can be applied to nearly every industry. Having this knowledge can position you to change the world and leave a lasting impact.
Overall, obtaining an information technology degree provides you with the chance to obtain an extensive amount of knowledge and skills. For instance, you can develop your technical skills in areas such as network systems, computer engineering, systems analysis, and computer systems.
Taking courses also enables you to develop valuable soft skills such as:
- Critical thinking
- Analysis
- Problem solving through developing innovative solutions
- Creativity
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
- Oral and written communication
- Time management
An IT degree has many benefits. However, what you choose to do with an information technology degree is going to be dictated by how much effort you invest in developing your knowledge, skills, and abilities.
"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes."
– Peter Drucker, management consultant and educator
The Benefits of Obtaining an Information Technology Degree
With the courses needed for an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or master’s degree in information technology, you can build foundational knowledge of subjects such as:
- Computer networks
- Network security
- Database development
- Programming
- Information systems
- Project management
Over the past decades, there have been many technological advancements in areas such as:
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain
- E-commerce
- Big data
- Digital forensics
- Cybersecurity
- Data science and analytics
- Computer hardware and software
The courses needed for an IT degree commonly enable you to better understand technological advancements in different areas and how they apply to the workplace.
The Types of Concentrations for an Information Technology Degree
There are a range of concentrations that you may consider when you're pursuing a bachelor's degree or a master's degree in information technology. Concentrations are a set of courses, typically four or more, with a focus on a specialized topic.
The courses in a concentration are intended to expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities. Course in a concentration often require you to:
- Explain different concepts, principles, and theories
- Apply key practices and techniques to different scenarios
- Experiment with innovative ideas
- Gain hands-on experience in working with different types of software and other technology tools
Some potentials concentrations for an IT degree include:
- General concentrations – A general concentration enables you to prepare for a broad scope of workplace responsibilities. With an IT degree with a general concentration, you may apply for a variety of different occupations requiring computer and information technology specialist knowledge.
- Specialized concentrations – This type of concentration is more focused on a particular area to help students develop a specialized knowledge. For example, you might be interested in developing a knowledge of programming languages such as Python® or seeking a position that requires a knowledge of network systems, ethical hacking, or network security. You might also be interested in cloud computing, penetration testing, digital forensics, software development, mobile apps, or e-commerce.
The Career Paths Associated with an IT Degree
Once you have acquired sufficient knowledge and experience, you can then pursue various career paths in the tech industry that fit your personal and professional interests. For example, you might choose to seek career opportunities such as:
- A data analyst
- A network administrator
- A project manager
- A data engineer
- An information security analyst
- A database administrator
- An AI specialist
- A computer programmer
- An IT manager
- A helpdesk support specialist
- A software engineer
- A network administrator
- A software developer
- A full-stack developer
Pursuing Professional Development
The world needs more technology specialists to address the technical challenges in software and hardware analysis, design, development, maintenance, and security assessments. The frequent security breaches and software problems that have recently been in the news highlight the need for IT professionals.
Many organizations now offer attractive information technology educational opportunities to their job candidates and employees for professional development. These companies prefer to retain their labor force by offering them the change to improve their skills and knowledge, which can then be used for the organization’s benefit.
These wise intentional development efforts often result in employers gaining staff with much-needed skills that benefit the organization. In addition, employees become more loyal and committed to the success of the organization.
For an IT professional, pursuing additional certifications is helpful. Certifications such as CompTIA Security+®, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®), or Project Management Professional (PMP®) may help IT professionals to deepen their skillset and protect their organizations from cyber attacks.
Working with a Mentor in the IT Field
Many information technology practitioners often find that working with a mentor is equally useful. A mentor can provide information on how mentees can improve their skills, provide feedback when a mentee has questions about workable solutions to complex problems, and act as a nonjudgmental sounding board.
Additionally, a quality mentor would share a related background with the mentee and realistic pathways to further bolster the successful development of the mentee. Also, the mentor would enthusiastically interact with the mentee and celebrate small wins throughout the career progression journey. In addition, a mentor would minimize the challenges and stumbling blocks that would result in a setback when trying to achieve a satisfying career.
While working with a mentor, there are many valuable documents that are created and would be useful for guiding and reinforcing the success of the mentoring process. These documents would involve:
- Brainstorming the goals and expectations of the relationship and establishing a mentorship agreement
- Creating a schedule with a set time to meet and discuss vital information
- Creating a Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timed (SMART) development plan for a mentee to identify and reflect on the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed for career growth and transitions
- Maintaining a progress report with built-in accountability
- Building a list of valuable references and reading lists to further expand learning and development
These mentors can be found in a workplace, in the academic community, or at conferences. By going to conferences and networking events, IT practitioners can also develop professional networks and learn additional knowledge that will be helpful to them in the future.
Pursuing a Master’s Degree in IT
Many IT practitioners choose to further develop their technical skills by pursuing their master’s degree in IT or related areas such as project management, data science, computer science, or cybersecurity. This practice enables them to pursue leadership and research job opportunities, such as a project manager or a research scientist.
A considerable number of information technology jobs – especially in government – require a security clearance. A security clearance is useful for job seekers, but it is very costly for an organization to secure due to the amount of background research that is needed. However, having a master’s degree in information technology can be a convenient asset for candidates seeking a job requiring a security clearance.
Information Technology Degrees at AMU
For adult learners interested in improving their knowledge of programming, IT management, enterprise database systems, user experience, networking concepts, and other areas, American Military University (AMU) offers two degrees:
- An online bachelor’s degree in information technology
- An online master’s degree in information technology
Courses in these programs cover topics such as user experience, object-oriented design, database concepts, information security management, management information systems, and digital forensics. These courses are taught by experienced professionals who are very familiar with current trends and technological developments in the IT industry.
For more information about these degrees, visit AMU’s information technology program page.
Python is a registered trademark of the Python Software Foundation.
CompTIA Security+ is a registered trademark of the Computing Technology Industry Association.
CISSP is a registered trademark of the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.
PMP is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Dr. Novadean Watson-Williams has over 20 years of experience in the information technology field. Dr. Watson-Williams holds an A.A. in computer studies and a B.S. in information systems management from the University of Maryland University College, a B.S. in social science education from the University of South Florida, an M.A. in general counseling from Louisiana Tech University, and a D.B.A. in information systems from Argosy University.
Previously, she published several blog articles on topics such as “Countering Cybersecurity Attacks through Accountability,” “Creating a Personal Brand through Using the Internet,” “Leadership Using Effective Nonverbal Communication,” and “Inspiring Self-Improvement through Technology Education, Collective Intelligence and Soft Skills.” She has also co-published several other articles, including “RFID with Real Implications,” “Artificial Intelligence in Information Security” and “Evolution of Information Security.