People Studying Information Technology Online

Here we’ll discuss what information technology is, what to expect from an IT degree program, and why you should consider studying IT. As part of the explanation, we’ll cover what IT professionals do, how to get into IT, and what makes IT a great option for a lifelong career.

Information technology (IT) experts are critical members of virtually every modern organization, responsible for studying, designing, developing, implementing, supporting, and managing the computers and computer-based information systems that nearly every company relies on to remain productive.

This post will explain exactly what IT experts do each day, along with exploring why you should think about getting a degree in this field. 

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about IT, 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.

Is IT a Good Career Field?

Yes, information technology is an excellent field for launching a lifelong career.

IT experts are needed by virtually every organization and company, so no matter what sector or industry you want to work in, you should be able to find an IT job that aligns with your interests and objectives.

IT jobs can be quite challenging, requiring technical knowledge, skills, and abilities, but the industry offers great employment prospects for those individuals who are willing to put in the time required to learn IT best practices, develop their skills, and earn a degree that proves they can handle the challenges they’ll face on a day to day basis. 

If you’re interested in helping organizations meet their technology goals, then you should certainly consider a career in the field.

What Do IT Professionals Actually Do?

Information Technology professionals are tasked with a variety of responsibilities and duties, and there are several specialty areas within IT that you could consider focusing on, including:

  • Software engineering
  • Network administration
  • Information technology support

No matter what specific niche you choose to focus on, you’re likely to be tasked with work like:

  • Becoming proficient in new, innovative technologies and analyzing both hardware and software systems to help meet the technology goals of an organization.
  • Identifying, analyzing, and responding to user needs for the selection, creation, evaluation, and administration of computers and computer-based systems.
  • Designing, implementing, and evaluating computer-based systems, processes, components, and programs.
  • Analyzing technical problems to identify the computing requirements needed to solve them with information technology solutions.

The role of an IT specialist can get complex, which is one of the reasons why it’s so important that anyone trying to break into the industry studies the topic in a serious academic environment.

Do I Need a Degree to Get Into IT?

While there may be roles in IT that do not require a degree, earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will make it far easier to find a good job in the industry. 

If you’re looking for more than just an entry-level job, and instead want to build a long-term, successful, lifelong career, then you’ll want to consider completing a related degree program.

While earning your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to study the challenges that IT professionals face daily and develop the skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to overcome those issues.

In short, earning your Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in IT will ensure that you’ve developed an understanding of the critical concepts, theories, and practices needed to launch a successful career in IT.

 Which IT Degree Should I Get? A Bachelor’s or a Master’s?

When attempting to choose which degree level is best for you, we suggest thinking about your educational and professional goals.

In the end, you should choose the degree program that best suits your skills, experience, personal qualities, and career aspirations.

IT Bachelor’s vs. Master’s Programs

Choosing between a bachelor’s or master’s in IT isn’t always easy, but there are clear reasons to pick one versus the other.

A Bachelor’s Degree in IT is a good fit for someone who doesn’t already have an undergraduate degree (in any subject) and is curious about the field of IT and looking to break into it for the first time.

On the other hand, a Master’s Degree in I.T. Management would be the better option for anyone with an existing undergraduate degree (again, in any subject), or for someone who already has some experience in the field, and who wants to move into IT management or other more senior-level positions.

To summarize, bachelor’s programs will prepare you for an entry-level role, whereas master’s programs are more focused on preparing you to assume a leadership-oriented position.

If you need help making this important decision, feel free to reach out to an enrollment counselor who can help guide you to choosing the right program.

What Can I Do With a Bachelor’s in IT?

Earning your Bachelor’s in IT will open many doors to entry and mid-level industry roles, including jobs like: 

Some of these jobs may be immediately accessible right after graduating, but others could require some successful industry experience.

What Can I Do With a Master’s in IT?

Completing a Master’s in IT program may play a huge role in accelerating your career and opening new doors to more specialized jobs, including positions like:

Again, some of these roles may be accessible immediately after completing your master’s degree, while others are likely to require successful experience in a related role. 

Should I Get My IT Degree Online?

Yes, you should consider getting your IT Degree online from a regionally-accredited and widely-respected school, like CSU Global.

Our 100% online IT programs have been designed to offer as much flexibility as possible, including:

  • No requirements to show up at set times or in physical locations.
  • Monthly class starts.
  • Accelerated courses.

If you have family and work responsibilities, and you need to balance them with educational pursuits, then getting your degree online from CSU Global may be the ideal option for you.

Why Should I Consider Studying IT at CSU Global?

CSU Global’s online IT programs prepare students to meet the challenges they’ll face working in the field of information technology. 

Both of our programs are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, and each of them was designed to provide you with industry-relevant, workplace-related training and skills.

Reasons to Choose our B.S. in IT Program

Our online B.S. in IT program has won several top rankings, with multiple top-five awards, including:

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

Our B.S. in IT alumni also achieve excellent results in the real world, with graduates reporting an annual starting salary of $77,010 one year after graduation and a 15% pay increase one year after completing their degree.

Reasons to Choose our M.S. in IT Program

Our online M.S. in IT Management program has also won several top rankings, including two top-five awards:

  • A #9 ranking for Cheap Master's in Management Information Systems Online from Best Value Schools.
  • A #9 ranking for Top 25 Best Value Online Master’s of Information Technology Programs for 2022 from Value Colleges.
  • A #11 ranking for 35 Best Online Master of Information Technology Degree Programs from Master's Program Guide.

Our M.S. in IT Management alumni have also achieved great success in the real world, with graduates reporting a median salary of $96,375, which is 23% higher than the national average income for all master’s degree holders.

CSU Global itself is also regarded as an industry leader in higher education, and recently won several important awards, including:

Finally, we offer competitive tuition rates, a tuition guarantee to ensure your rate won’t increase, and for our undergraduate programs, Alternative Credit Options like Credit By Exam, Self Study Assessment (SSA), and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) to help save you time and money.

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

Ready to get started today? Apply now!