Information technology professionals deal with integrated computer systems, such as this mainframe computer.
You can find information about information technology jobs through a variety of traditional resources. Some of the resources have a broad information base; others focus more on particular information technology jobs. You can develop the best insights into this career area by using a combination of resources to learn about information technology jobs.
Traditional
You can examine industry publications, for example. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides some good information on a variety of different types of information technology jobs, the kinds of organizations that hire information technology professionals and salary information for a variety of different types of information technology jobs. Publications such as the Wall Street Journal may also do features on information technology careers. Additionally, use the traditional approach of informational interviewing. Ensure, in doing so, that you restrict your overall goal to seeking career-related information versus the immediate acquisition of a particular job, which some now view as an abuse of the informational interviewing process. Talking with someone who does the work day in and day out provides an insight it is hard to collect through other means.
Educational Institutions
Another approach to learning about is to research such jobs through the educational institutions that train the people who perform those jobs. Particularly for technology jobs, the gap between the academic theoretical approach and real-world experience as of the beginning of the 21st century had begun to fade. Often, instructors in educational institutions are considered "adjunct," or other than full-time, and have in the past practiced or are currently practicing the profession about which they are offering instruction. Educational institutions range from vocational and technical high schools to state and private colleges and universities, to private training companies.
Job Boards
You can also find additional information about information technology jobs through such Internet resources as job boards. Some job boards specialize in technology jobs, including information technology jobs. These job boards sometimes also post articles on different types of jobs in the information technology field. Such job boards as Dice.com and Tech Centric websites offer articles and news links about information technology jobs, careers and general industry news.
Training, Salary, Outlook
Required skills for information technology jobs vary widely depending on the specific job, as does the required training level. Most jobs in the information technology field require a bachelor's degree at a minimum, however. Salary levels also vary widely, depending on the specific job requirements, the geographic location and the type of hiring organization as illustrated at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Managerial-level annual salaries could range from $109,810 to $126,840 as described on the BLS website. The BLS projects the growth rate across the information technology discipline as average--in contrast with all professions--at 17 percent.
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