How Hard is an Information Technology Degree?

Recently, we discussed what information technology is, why information technology is so important, and why it’s a great field to consider getting into. Here, we’ll explore all the reasons why people think information technology is challenging, and we’ll talk about whether or not IT truly is a difficult field.

You may have heard that IT is extremely challenging, but while it is a complex field requiring a lot of specialized knowledge, the truth is that IT isn’t as hard as it may first seem.

In reality, with the right education, anyone can master the basics of IT and start working in this competitive, but lucrative industry.

At CSU Global, our experienced instructors will guide you through the process of developing expertise in IT with a logical, simple, and straightforward approach that ensures you’ll develop a strong foundation of relevant IT skills and abilities. 

Should you choose to get your degree with us, you’re likely to discover that IT is nowhere near as hard as you initially expected, and you’ll graduate fully prepared to tackle the unique challenges IT professionals face on a daily basis.

After reviewing this information, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology. If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Why Do People Think Information Technology Is Difficult?

There are several reasons why people may find it challenging to finish a Degree in Information Technology, including:

1. IT requires a great deal of technical knowledge: To be successful in IT, you need to have strong technical skills across a diverse array of topics. This can be difficult for people who don’t have a natural aptitude for technology or who haven’t had much exposure to it.
    
2. IT is constantly changing: One of the most challenging aspects of IT is that it’s constantly changing. What you know today may be outdated tomorrow. This can be difficult for people who have trouble learning new things or who want things to stay the same.
    
3. IT presents a steep learning curve: At first, IT is especially difficult because it isn’t the type of field where things come naturally, based on prior experience. IT topics and best practices are detailed, complex, and in some cases, unintuitive, since you need experience working with technology in order to overcome certain IT issues. This is especially difficult at first when you’re just beginning to study the industry.

Let’s look at each of these factors in additional detail to get a better perspective on what makes information technology seem so difficult.

IT Requires a Great Deal of Technical Knowledge

People often believe that learning to become an IT professional is difficult due to the extensive technical knowledge required, but the knowledge you need to be successful here isn’t very different from any other complex field.

While some information technology topics are especially complicated, there are numerous fundamental principles that anybody can easily develop, understand, and then apply to a variety of different IT problems or issues.

Anyone can learn to become an IT expert with a little effort, and a consistent approach to building their knowledge and skills. The trick is to master the fundamentals and to exercise patience when mastering new concepts. Even the most challenging IT ideas are understandable with enough time and effort.

If you’re interested in getting into information technology, do not let the perceived complexity deter you. With the proper approach, you can and will gain the abilities necessary for success.

IT is Constantly Changing

The rapid development of new technology and applications might make it difficult for people new to the IT industry to fully understand what’s going on, how to overcome certain issues, and when they have the right solution or need to look for a new one.

Even if they grasp the fundamentals of a particular subject, by the time they need to apply that knowledge, it’s possible that the environment has shifted, and they must relearn everything they previously knew in order to remain on the cutting edge of industry best practices. 

This can make for a challenging, or even frustrating experience, but the good news is that within the field of IT, there are usually multiple ways to accomplish whatever it is that you’re attempting to do. As a result, being creative, courageous, and adventurous will increase your odds of succeeding in the IT industry. 

While even the most motivated students may initially find IT challenging, anyone can learn to solve complex and changing IT problems given enough time and effort. The trick to succeeding in IT is to develop expertise in fundamental principles, learn how to research solutions to complex IT problems, and patiently approach each problem as a new challenge, rather than a barrier.

IT Presents a Steep Learning Curve

One of the primary reasons that individuals believe information technology education to be difficult is that it can be time-consuming to study, especially at first, when you aren’t familiar with the lingo, processes, and best practices used by IT professionals.

Becoming proficient in the use of various types of IT software and hardware might take an extended period of time and effort, but the good news is that as you build your foundational skills, each new task, problem, and challenge will get easier and easier to overcome.

Fortunately, the amount of time required to study IT topics tends to decrease as you gain experience with IT processes, and while it may seem incredibly difficult at first, you should be able to quickly assess and overcome IT issues once you’ve developed a strong foundation of IT-related knowledge and skills.

Who Should Consider Pursuing a Career in IT?

Not everybody is cut out to become an IT expert, and some people are much better suited to operate in the industry than others.

If you’re on the fence about studying IT because you’re concerned that it may be too difficult, then you might find yourself relieved to learn that people who are naturally good at the following skills are uniquely suited to become excellent IT professionals:

• Technical Wizards – Technical skills are essential in information technology because they enable future IT professionals to design, develop, implement and manage technology solutions effectively. If you’ve always been good at dealing with technology, then you’re much more likely to enjoy studying and working in the field of IT.
• Critical Thinkers & Problem Solvers – Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for IT professionals because anyone with these skills will do a better job first assessing, then developing a solution for the complex sorts of problems that IT presents.
• Creativity – Creativity skills are not required to become an IT professional, but they can give you an edge because they’ll make it easier for you to think outside the box, try new things, apply different solutions to challenges, and find a way forward.
• Attention to Detail – One of the essential character traits for anyone looking to break into the field of information technology is strong attention to detail. Even the smallest mistake can have major consequences when working with computer systems and technical devices, so being able to track fine details can make or break your ability to deliver value in an IT role.
• Organizers – Good organization skills are also crucial for managing projects and time management, is a critical component of IT work. Keeping track of all the moving parts and ensuring that everyone is on the same page is critical for meeting deadlines and completing tasks before due dates.

If you feel that you possess one or more of the above skills or characteristics, then you might be perfectly suited to pursue a career in IT.

Don’t forget that this is just a small sample of skills and traits that indicate you could make an excellent IT expert. In reality, there are many other desirable traits not listed here that would make you a great candidate, so don’t give up just because you don’t find yourself in the bullets listed above.

Also, while we’ve explained that studying and working in IT may not be as difficult as some people think, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s “easy”. If you’re serious about breaking into the industry, then it’s important to invest the time and resources needed to develop the skills you’ll need to succeed in this complex, challenging, and competitive field.

Do You Need a Degree to Break Into the Field?

You don’t necessarily need a degree in information technology to break into the field, but having one could give you a leg up. Getting your degree could help you land your first job and prepare you to succeed in that role, starting your career off on the right foot.

While you can certainly find success without a formal education in IT, pursuing a degree can give you the skills and knowledge needed to excel in this extremely competitive field.

Additionally, employers often prefer candidates with a degree when hiring for IT positions, so if you’re looking to break into the field, getting your degree is one of the best ways to stand out from other applicants when applying for the best industry jobs.

If you’re interested in working in IT, consider pursuing a degree to give yourself the best chance of success.

Should You Get Your Degree in Information Technology Online?

Yes, you should think about getting your degree in IT online, especially if you already have a busy schedule that you’ll need to maintain along with your studies.

Choosing to study online will let you get your degree much more efficiently, which is particularly important for a challenging field like information technology since you’ll want every advantage possible when it comes to saving time.

CSU Global’s 100% online IT program was designed to be completed entirely online, and it offers much more flexibility and freedom than traditional in-person IT programs.

Studying online with us means you’ll get to enjoy benefits like:

• No set class times or physical locations.
• Monthly class starts.
• Accelerated eight-week courses.

If you’re serious about developing the skills needed to become an information technology professional, but you’re worried about fitting courses and studies into an already busy schedule, then you should think about studying online with us.

Why Should You Choose to Study Information Technology at CSU Global?

You should choose CSU Global’s B.S. in Information Technology program because it’s regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is the most respected accreditation organization in the country.

This program was designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to launch a successful lifelong career in information technology, and you can be sure that your degree will be widely respected by employers since our program currently holds several excellent rankings, including:

• A #1 ranking on Top Low-Cost Online Bachelor’s in Computer and IT Programs from Great Value Colleges.
• A #2 ranking on Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Information Technology from Cyber Degrees.
• A #3 ranking on The Best Information Technology Degree Programs of 2021 from Best Value Schools.

To make sure that this program delivers the skills and abilities you need for a successful career in IT, all of our faculty have recent experience in the field, and our curriculum is aligned with the criteria for industry-leading certifications, including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Project+, ECCouncil Certified Ethical Hacking, and Microsoft Server 2016. 

Furthermore, your degree is sure to command respect thanks to CSU Global earning several important rankings, including: 

• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges & Schools in Colorado from Best Accredited Colleges.
• A #1 ranking for Best Online Colleges in Colorado from Best Colleges.
• A #10 ranking for Best Online Colleges for ROI from OnlineU.

Finally, to help save you money on the cost of your degree, we offer competitive tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee which ensures that your affordable tuition rate won’t increase between enrollment and graduation.

To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, please give us a call at 800-462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!