With an average salary of $59,090,* Information Technology is one of the fastest growing fields, accounting for one out of every four jobs created between 2000 and 2010. Sound good? We thought so. But now the question arises. Where do I start?
Here are some ways to get your feet wet and determine whether IT is right for you:
Learn HTML
HTML is the language used to display Web pages, and learning it is the first step to becoming Web savvy. Need help? Try an Internet tutorial like Builder.com or Webmonkey.com.
Read Up
Your local library or bookstore is bound to have a shelf full of IT titles on “programming” and “networking.” Check them out for an idea of the variety of tech jobs available.
Write One
Learning to write programs with JavaScript is a quick way to get started programming. It’s also relatively accessible since all you’ll need to program is a Web browser, a word processing program and a good tutorial like the one found on Webmonkey.com.
Take an Online Course
An online course is a fast and convenient way to explore IT. Programs such as the one at Valencia Enterprises start weekly, are never cancelled and can be completed in as little as three months. This is an excellent choice for people who are already employed and looking to switch careers, because you can complete your course work whenever it’s convenient for you – at night, on the weekends, even on vacation. Online courses are also a relatively inexpensive way to earn a certification—an achievement that nets IT professionals an average salary increase of 15.1%** for every certification they hold.
Talk to the Professionals
Those in the field are a great resource of the pros and cons of tech life. Ask friends, family and co-workers for contacts they know in the IT field. Then, set up short phone interviews to discuss their insights into their career: What’s a typical day like? What skills do you need most? What advice do you have for me? Who knows, they may prove to be a useful contact down the road when your job training turns into a job search.
Attend Professional Meetings
The saying is often true: “It’s not what you know. It’s who you know.” For getting connected, industry organizations are the key to finding mentors and future job opportunities. Some IT organizations include Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP) and Association of Shareware Professionals (ASP). Check the Internet for chapters near you, as well as a listing of other IT organizations.
Volunteer Your Services
Once you’ve honed your programming skills, get some real-world practice by offering your services to friends, non-profits and community groups. Not only will you get to work in a live situation, you’ll also test your ability to communicate about technology – a skill that is essential yet often over-looked.
Build a Website
Use your knowledge of HTML and JavaScript to build a Website. Try to avoid flashy graphics and concentrate on function and ease of use.
Content taken in part from Monster.com’s Allan Hoffman.
*According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2002.
**According to Certification Magazine 2003 Salary Survey.
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