Those who want to become an IT specialist will need the right job experience and the right professional training. Although an accredited degree is important, ample work experience and industry certification are equally important.
Work as an IT Technician Assistant
One of best ways to start out a lifelong IT career is to work as an entry-level IT tech assistant. They will work in team environments on a variety of platforms and systems, which could include HP, IBM, Dell and Cisco. They will become familiar with a wide array of enterprise technology systems and equipment. For example, they may be assigned to assist senior technicians with system builds, upgrades and testing.
They may be asked to pull inventory, maintain servers or consolidate and breakdown equipment. This job will help them gain knowledge of tools, parts, methods and repair techniques for IT systems. Those who work with the service desk department will hone their customer service and problem solving skills. They will also become familiar with common self-service portals and incident management programs used by IT departments.
Work as a Software Engineer Assistant
Beginner IT professionals who accumulate enough experience should seek a higher position working with veteran IT employees. For example, a software engineer assistant will work with teams who build and support the technology solutions that drive companies. They may work with software development teams to design, develop, test, debug and deliver technology solutions that offer value and efficiency. They will help maintain platforms that are built to handle extreme data demands and customer needs.
Software engineer assistants may work with multiple technologies including C#, SQL, Java, .NET and HTML5. They will learn a variety of development methodologies such as TDD, Scrum and Kanban. Software engineer assistants will gain experience in web, mobile app and desktop application development as well as object oriented and relational database design.
Get a Bachelor’s Degree
Being able to directly work with IT systems, processes and applications will help IT professionals understand how they interact and impact each other. Equally important, a four-year degree program will provide IT professionals with the knowledge needed to understand and remember complex concepts, terminology and information. For instance, an bachelor’s degree in computer support will prepare students to work in the areas of software, hardware and help desk support.
Students will become proficient with Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, database development and network administration programs. They will be familiar with basic computer hardware, programming, and help desk environments. Most degrees also cover the fundamentals of quality control, project management, technical reporting and customer service. Alternatively, prospective IT professionals can pursue a degree in computer science, information technology, software engineering and information systems.
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Students should consider a master’s degree because they will learn advanced knowledge about everything from computer graphics to database algorithms to computational modeling. This will help them advance their career and increase their revenue. Anyone who wants to become an IT specialist must obtain industry standard credentials, such as the A+, Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) or HDI-Desktop Support Technician (HDI-DST) certifications.
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