IT is a wide and growing field. Jobs in the IT sector in the US are projected to grow at a much faster rate than other occupations in the next decade [1]. Show
And it’s versatile too. You can start at the help desk and work your way up to any number of specialized jobs as you grow. Or you can jump straight into a field you’re interested in if you have some background knowledge. Here are ten entry-level IT positions to consider as you begin your job search. Learn more: How to Get a Job in IT: 7 Steps 1. Help desk technicianAverage annual salary: $42,508 [2] Job outlook: 9% annual growth [3] Requirements: Knowledge of computer systems and troubleshooting. Certifications, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees may be requested. When a computer user or employee is having problems with hardware, software, or a network, they call on a help desk specialist to assist. A help desk technician might maintain, install, or troubleshoot hardware and software, resolve networking issues, or help resolve other problems for other company employees. The title for this role might vary. Help desk technicians can also be called help desk analysts, desktop support technicians, service desk technicians, and computer support specialists, among several other titles. These positions collectively are sometimes referred to as help desk positions. Many IT professionals start their careers in help desk roles. If you don’t know where to start in IT, this is a good role to consider; it’ll expose you to other areas of IT you might be interested in. As you gain experience, it’s possible to move into other jobs, like system or network administrator, cloud engineer, or information security analyst. Four common help desk technician interview questions
professional certificate Google IT SupportThis is your path to a career in IT. In this program, you’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than 6 months. No degree or experience required. 4.8 BEGINNER level Average time: 6 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Debugging, Encryption Algorithms and Techniques, Customer Service, Network Protocols, Cloud Computing, Binary Code, Customer Support, Linux, Troubleshooting, Domain Name System (DNS), Ipv4, Network Model, Powershell, Linux File Systems, Command-Line Interface, Directory Service, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Backup, Cybersecurity, Wireless Security, Cryptography, Network Security 2. IT technicianAverage annual salary: $42,769 [4] Job outlook: 8% annual growth [4] Requirements: Knowledge of computer systems and troubleshooting. Certifications, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees may be requested. Like help desk technicians, IT technicians work to support the technical issues within an organization’s computer system. But while help desk technicians might spend more time resolving user issues, IT technicians are more likely to spend time doing the actual technical work to resolve the issue. An IT technician should be able to troubleshoot, know how to use several operating systems, and understand the basics of IT networks. IT technicians can also be called IT associates, IT analysts, or IT specialists. Some companies may have IT technicians do help desk work as well. Four common IT technician interview questions
professional certificate IBM Technical SupportLaunch your rewarding new career in tech. This program will prepare you with job-ready skills valued by employers in as little as 3 months. No degree or prior experience needed to get started. 4.7 BEGINNER level Average time: 9 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Networking/Cybersecurity Essentials, IT Fundamentals, Hardware/Software Setup, Technical Support, Cloud Computing, Information Technology, Customer Service, Ticketing Systems, Service Level Agreements, IT Service Management (ITSM), Troubleshooting, IT Career, Software Development Process, database management, Software Application Development, Computer Programming, Cloud Storage, Network Architecture, Networking Hardware, Computer Network, Wireless Networks, Information Security (INFOSEC), Cyberattacks, Application Security, Cryptography, security, Cloud Native, Devops, Iaas PaaS Saas, Hybrid Multicloud, Networking Setup, Software Configuration, Helpdesk Ticketing Systems Read more: How to Get a Job as a Computer Technician | 10 Tips 3. Web developerAverage annual salary: $77,200 [5] Job outlook: 13% annual growth [5] Requirements: Ability to program. Associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degrees may be requested. Web developers create websites that businesses use to operate and interact with their customers. This field breaks down into three main areas: front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers. Front-end developers design the parts of a website that users interact with. Back-end developers build and maintain the server, application, and database that power a website. Full-stack developers do both. Requirements for entry-level candidates will vary by company and industry. It’s possible to get a job with a high school diploma or an associate’s degree, especially if you’ve done some web development on your own. Front-end programming languages you’ll want to learn include HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Back-end programming languages might include Python, Ruby, or PHP. Four common web developer interview questions
professional certificate Meta Back-End DeveloperLaunch your career as a back-end developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career and earn a credential from Meta. No degree or prior experience required to get started. 4.8 BEGINNER level Average time: 8 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Cloud Hosting, Application Programming Interfaces (API), Python Programming, Data Structure, Computer Programming, Django (Web Framework), Linux, Web Development, Bash (Unix Shell), Github, Version Control, MySQL, Database (DBMS), database administration 4. Systems administratorAverage annual salary: $80,600 [6] Job outlook: 5% annual growth (as fast as average) [6] Requirements: Experience with computer systems. Certifications, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience may be requested. System administrators, also called computer administrators, install, configure, and maintain operation of multi-user computer systems and servers. A successful sysadmin uses their knowledge of software, hardware, and networks to keep businesses running smoothly. Their roles can overlap heavily with network administrators. Keeping up with the latest network technology is a lifelong learning process. As you expand your skill set and learn to use the latest products, you can advance to roles like systems engineer or systems architect. Four common systems administrator interview questions
course System Administration and IT Infrastructure ServicesThis course will transition you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for ... 4.7 BEGINNER level Average time: 1 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Directory Service, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Backup 5. Systems analystAverage annual salary: $99,270 [7] Job outlook: 7% annual growth (faster than average) [7] Requirements: Certifications, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience may be preferred. Systems analysts might sound similar to systems administrators, but they’re quite different. The goal of a systems analyst is to make a company’s computing systems more efficient and effective. They identify opportunities for improvement and design, test, and deploy systems to execute those improvements. While not always a requirement, a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science can make you competitive for this job. Four common systems analyst interview questions
specialization Information SystemsInformation Technology . Become a better manager of information technology to address business problems 4.8 BEGINNER level Average time: 5 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Project Management, Critical Thinking, Management, IT Skills and Knowledge, Finance and accounting skills and knowledge, Business analysis skills and knowledge, Project management skills and knowledge 6. Database administratorAverage annual salary: $98,860 [8] Job outlook: 8% annual growth (much faster than average) [8] Requirements: Certifications, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees may be requested. Database administrators (DBAs) store, organize, and secure data. This is an especially critical task for companies with large information systems (like banks and hospitals). Ensuring that databases operate efficiently helps companies analyze and leverage this data for growth. Build a foundation for a job in database administration with a bachelor’s degree in a computer or information-related field. You can also set yourself up for success by learning database languages, most commonly Structured Query Language (SQL). Four common database administrator interview questions
course Introduction to Structured Query Language (SQL)In this course, you'll walk through installation steps for installing a text editor, installing MAMP or XAMPP (or equivalent) and creating a MySql Database. ... 4.8 INTERMEDIATE level Average time: 1 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Phpmyadmin, MySQL, Relational Database, SQL 7. Site reliability engineerAverage annual salary: $101,923 [9] Job outlook: 34% annual growth (much faster than average) [10] Requirements: Site reliability or DevOps experience and related skills. Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience may be requested. Site reliability engineers (SREs) keep the websites and apps we use up and running smoothly. SREs develop automated solutions for common development and operational tasks, like latency monitoring, capacity planning, and emergency responding. As long as technology continues to play a role in our day-to-day lives, there will be a growing demand for SREs. Besides a computer science degree, you can elevate your resume with a certification in DevOps or SRE. You may also expand your job opportunities by learning a scripting programming language, like Python. As you start out as an SRE, you’ll develop skills that transfer to other roles in IT, including cloud or full-stack engineering. Four common SRE interview questions
professional certificate IBM DevOps and Software EngineeringLaunch your DevOps and Software Engineering Career. Master DevOps, Agile, Scrum, CI/CD and Cloud Native with hands-on job-ready skills. 4.7 BEGINNER level Average time: 14 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Cloud Native, Devops, CI/CD, Application development, Software Engineering, Test-Driven Development, Behavior-Driven Development, Iaas PaaS Saas, Hybrid Multicloud, Cloud Computing, Agile Software Development, Scrum Methodology, Zenhub, Kanban, Sprint Planning, Shell Script, Bash (Unix Shell), Linux, Distributed Version Control (DRCS), open source, Version Control Systems, Github, Git (Software), Data Science, Python Programming, Data Analysis, Pandas, Numpy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Kubernetes, Docker, Containers, Openshift, Serverless Computing, Microservices, Function As A Service, Cloud Applications, Test Case, Software Testing, Automated Testing, Continuous Integration, Continuous Development, Automation, Infrastructure As Code, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Observability, security, Monitoring, logging, agile 8. Software developerAverage annual salary: $110,140 [11] Job outlook: 22% annual growth (much faster than average) [11] Requirements: Experience with programming languages. Bachelor’s degrees or master’s degrees may be requested. Software developers (sometimes called software engineers) build the systems and applications that run on computers, phones, and other devices. These programs are typically designed to allow companies or employees to perform specific tasks, like managing data or collaborating across teams. Many software developers have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering. You can also gain relevant experience through coursework or a boot camp, or through an internship. Four common software developer interview questions
professional certificate IBM Full Stack Software DeveloperKickstart your career in application development. Master Cloud Native and Full Stack Development using hands-on projects involving HTML, JavaScript, Node.js, Python, Django, Containers, Microservices and more. No prior experience required. 4.5 BEGINNER level Average time: 14 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Cloud Native, Devops, Iaas PaaS Saas, Hybrid Multicloud, Cloud Computing, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML, Git (Software), JavaScript, Cloud Applications, Distributed Version Control (DRCS), open source, Version Control Systems, Github, NoSQL, Cloud Infrastructure, Json, React (Web Framework), Node.Js, IBM Cloud, Kubernetes, Docker, Containers, Openshift, Data Science, Python Programming, Data Analysis, Pandas, Numpy, Application development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Django (Web Framework), Database (DBMS), SQL, Serverless Computing, Microservices, Function As A Service, Web Application Average annual salary: $102,600 [12] Job outlook: 33% annual growth (much faster than average) [12] Requirements: Certifications, associate degrees, or bachelor’s degrees may be requested. Information security analysts (also called cybersecurity analysts) are tasked with protecting a company’s computer networks and systems. This involves planning and implementing security measures and quickly addressing security breaches should they occur. As technology continues to advance, so does the need for robust security. Develop your skill set through an entry-level information security certification like the CompTIA Security+. Many information security analysts have a bachelor’s degree in information assurance or computer science. If you can’t land an information security analyst position immediately, try getting your foot in the door with a help desk or IT technician position, and build experience from there. Four common information security analyst interview questions
professional certificate IBM Cybersecurity AnalystGet ready to launch your career in cybersecurity. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand role in the field, no degree or prior experience required. 4.6 BEGINNER level Average time: 8 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: information security analyst, IT security analyst, security analyst, Junior cybersecurity analyst, Information Security (INFOSEC), IBM New Collar, Malware, Cybersecurity, Cyber Attacks, database vulnerabilities, Network Security, Sql Injection, networking basics, scripting, forensics, Penetration Test, Computer Security Incident Management, Application Security, threat intelligence, network defensive tactics, cyber attack, Breach (Security Exploit), professional certificate, cybersecurity analyst Read more: 10 Popular Cybersecurity Certifications 10. Cloud engineerAverage annual salary: $103,903 [13] Job outlook: 27% annual growth (much faster than average) [14] Requirements: Knowledge of cloud platforms. Bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or equivalent experience are typically preferred. Cloud engineers help businesses migrate applications, functions, and processes to the cloud. They typically oversee the design, configuration, and monitoring of cloud-based services like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and the Google Cloud Platform. As more companies move their IT infrastructure to the cloud, the demand for cloud engineers continues to rise. Many companies look for entry-level candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. That said, having relevant experience can set you up to be competitive for the job as well. If you’re working your way up to become a cloud engineer, try starting in positions like system or network administration that’ll expose you to some work with the cloud. As you gain experience, you can advance to become a cloud developer, cloud administrator, or cloud architect. Four common cloud engineer interview questions
professional certificate Preparing for Google Cloud Certification: Cloud EngineerStart your career in the cloud. 4.8 INTERMEDIATE level Average time: 6 month(s) Learn at your own pace Skills you'll build: Google Compute Engine, Google App Engine (GAE), Google Cloud Platform, Cloud Computing, Virtual Machine, Network Architecture, Debugging, Cloud Storage, Data Store, Load Balancing, Virtual Private Network (VPN), Autoscaling, Google Cloud, GCP Infrastructure, GCP ACE Certification Next Steps: Landing an entry-level IT jobNow that you have an idea of what kinds of entry-level IT jobs are out there, you can start looking into landing one. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll want to start building relevant skills that you can put on your resume. There are several ways to gain those skills once you know what they are—you can get a certification, teach yourself, or enroll in a course. Not sure where to start? Consider checking out the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. The coursework will cover all the basics of IT and get you job-ready in six months. Plus, it’ll prepare you for the entry-level CompTIA A+ certification exam—and the first week is free. Frequently asked questions (FAQ)Some IT internships or apprenticeships may not require past experience. But generally, full-time entry-level positions will require you to have some relevant skills and experience that show you can do the job. If you don't have a degree or are trying to enhance your skill set, a relevant certification can show employers that you're capable of completing tasks. Some IT internships or apprenticeships may not require past experience. But generally, full-time entry-level positions will require you to have some relevant skills and experience that show you can do the job. If you don't have a degree or are trying to enhance your skill set, a relevant certification can show employers that you're capable of completing tasks. Though this depends on the role, many entry-level IT positions request some knowledge of operating systems, computer security, networking principles, and troubleshooting. If you want to go into software or web development, a versatile and popular programming language like Python can be good to learn. If you’re stuck, try finding a few positions you’re interested in on a job search website to see what skills are commonly requested. Read more: 7 Essential IT Skills to Start Your IT Career A good place to start is to do some research to get an idea of what role in IT sounds interesting to you. From there, you can learn what skills you’ll need to have, and whether it makes sense for you to get a certification. Read the details about how to get a job in IT. An IT certification is a credential you can earn by passing an exam. They can show employers that you have a professional level of knowledge in the field. Studying for the exam can be a good way to gain hands-on experience and learn new skills. Explore entry-level IT certifications to get started. IT is the use of digital technology like computers and the internet to store, manage, protect, and retrieve information. Watch the video below for more context on what IT is used for, and why it's important. Related articlesArticle sources1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Computer and Information Technology Occupations, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 2. Glassdoor. "Help Desk Technician Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/help-desk-technician-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 3. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Computer Support Specialists, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 4. Glassdoor. "IT Technician Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/it-technician-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Web Developers and Digital Designers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Network and Computer Systems Administrators, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 7. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Computer Systems Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 8. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Database Administrators, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 9. Glassdoor. "Site Reliability Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/site-reliability-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 10. LinkedIn. "2020 Emerging Jobs Report, https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/talent-solutions/emerging-jobs-report/Emerging_Jobs_Report_U.S._FINAL.pdf." Accessed June 10, 2022. 11. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Software Developers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 12. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Information Security Analysts, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 13. Glassdoor. "Cloud Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cloud-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm." Accessed June 10, 2022. 14. LinkedIn. "2020 Emerging Jobs Report, https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/talent-solutions/emerging-jobs-report/Emerging_Jobs_Report_U.S._FINAL.pdf." Accessed June 10, 2022. |