An online IT bachelor degree program prepares students to manage the computer hardware and information technology systems (software) within a company.
Information technology infrastructure plays a vital role in every organization and IT personnel maintain both the individual computers and the company-wide network infrastructure and equipment. Information Technology (IT) personnel are involved with the use of computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.
Earning an Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Degree
Students who have busy schedules or are otherwise unable to attend a traditional university benefit from an IT bachelor degree online program. Accredited programs enable learners to complete course work at their own pace and schedule through online distance learning; freeing them to work full-time jobs or fulfill other responsibilities with which a traditional on-campus education might not provide for.
Ideal candidates for a bachelor in information technology degree are students who are interested in computers, peripherals, software systems, Internet, network hardware and electronic devices. In an average day, information technology professionals may be called upon to install new hardware, set up computer systems for new employees, troubleshoot the phone system, evaluate products or equipment for company-wide office use or manage the company help desk. The information technology field encompasses a wide range of professions, including network administrator, information security, software installation and implementation, systems training, project management or even web design.
The IT bachelor degree curriculum includes a broad-based computer science education, with special focus on the hardware involved in an information technology infrastructure. Some information technology programs provide crossover with information systems disciplines, including computer programming, database administration, software design and other system-related skills. Classes that are typically specific to an information technology degree include: identifying issues and practices in information technology management, information technology security, system software and design, network administration and other IT-related classes.
Information technology programs may include specializations within the program that enable students to select elective courses specific to certain careers. For example, students might earn an information technology IT bachelor degree with a focus on web design, network administration, system design and support, computer programming or other specializations within the information technology field. These specializations are ideal for students who know what field they want to enter and select the focus that corresponds with that field, but students who are uncertain what information technology career they want to pursue may be better suited to a general information technology education.
Career options for information technology bachelor degree graduates provide students with many opportunities in a wide variety of companies. Over 90 percent of information technology specialists work within non-IT businesses and corporations.
Information technology professionals often work side-by-side with information systems specialists to implement technology strategies within a company. IT professionals may pursue careers in enterprise computing, systems analysis and integration, project management, business management, Web programmer, hardware designer or computer programmer.
Some information technology professionals may choose less traditional careers working as independent consultants, or in non-business applications. Some small businesses can't afford in-house information technology staff, so these businesses may hire consultants to set up, troubleshoot and maintain their information technology systems. In some cases, IT professionals choose to work as system engineers or hardware engineers for hardware companies, such as Intel, Apple or Hewlett Packard.
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2008 projects most IT professions to grow at a rate of 30 to 50 percent, during the next four years depending on the profession. Information technology specialists can expect to earn a median annual salary of $59,000. The top 10 percent of IT professionals earn more than $80,000, while the bottom 10 percent earn between $35,000 and $45,000, depending on the region. Graduates who go on to earn MBA degrees in information technology may earn more than $100,000 annually.
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