7 Tips on Starting an IT Career
There are several pathways to an IT career. You might start with a certificate or degree, begin in a customer support role, or enter through areas such as systems, networking, or cybersecurity. You might also begin by building hands-on technical skills and then choose a direction.
Whatever your approach, start by considering the kind of work you might want to do and what employers may look for when hiring for those roles.
1. Look at IT Jobs
IT is a broad field. A help desk position, for instance, can put you in direct contact with people who need technical problems solved. Systems roles may take you deeper into the technology an organization depends on. Cybersecurity introduces another set of responsibilities, including access controls, threats, vulnerabilities, and protecting information and systems.
IT and computer science overlap, but they aren’t the same field. Many IT roles focus less on software development and more on implementing, supporting, securing, and managing the technology organizations use. As cloud computing, cybersecurity, automation, and artificial intelligence continue to change the technology landscape, the skills employers seek may change as well.
Before you begin building your IT skill set, spend some time browsing job openings. Read through the daily duties and make note of responsibilities that keep showing up. You may also begin to identify tasks that sound more, or less, appealing to you.
Some common IT responsibilities include:
- Setting up and managing user accounts and access permissions
- Installing and configuring computers, software, and peripherals
- Performing software updates and basic system maintenance
- Troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues
- Responding to help desk tickets and user support requests
- Monitoring networks and systems for performance or security issues
- Documenting technical problems and solutions
- Backing up and restoring files and data
- Assisting with cybersecurity measures and security protocols
- Escalating complex technical issues to senior IT staff
Your interests may become clearer once you know more about what different IT jobs actually involve.
2. Check Out IT Employers
Organizations across nearly every industry rely on IT professionals and technology services to keep their systems running securely, effectively, and efficiently.
As you review entry-level job postings, don’t just consider the qualifications you may need to get the job. While it’s important to understand which skills and credentials employers value, the job search should be a two-way conversation.
Employers want to know what you bring to the table. But what do they offer?
Even in an entry-level posting, a company may describe opportunities for advancement, employer-sponsored certifications, training, or mentorship. Others may emphasize team culture, work-life balance, compensation, or benefits. Consider which factors matter most to you.
And don’t limit your search to technology companies. Organizations that employ IT professionals can include:
- Technology companies
- Healthcare organizations
- Financial services companies
- Government agencies
- Schools and universities
- Retail and e-commerce companies
- Manufacturing and logistics companies
- Telecommunications companies
- IT consulting firms and managed service providers
3. Tie Tech Skills to Your Education
Education and experience requirements for IT jobs can vary considerably, even within the same occupation. One employer may prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree, while another may consider an associate degree, industry certifications, previous experience, or a combination of qualifications.
Requirements vary by employer, but education, certifications, experience, or a combination of the three may help candidates prepare for roles such as:
- IT Support Specialist / Help Desk Technician: Education or training in IT and certifications such as CompTIA A+ may be relevant to some positions.
- Network Support Technician: Education in IT or networking and certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco certifications may help build relevant skills.
- Cybersecurity Technician / Analyst: Education in IT or cybersecurity, relevant experience, and/or industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+ may be useful depending on the position.
- Junior Systems Administrator: Education in IT combined with hands-on experience with operating systems, networks, cloud platforms, and user administration may help prepare candidates for some roles.
As you compare jobs, look for patterns in the qualifications employers request. That can help you determine which educational pathway, technical skills, and certifications make the most sense for the direction you want to pursue.
4. Gain IT Experience
As you prepare to pursue your first IT role, look for opportunities to build practical experience alongside your education or training.
Depending on your interests, you can:
- Complete an internship
- Practice configuring computers, networks, and systems
- Volunteer your IT skills
- Build a website
- Create a technical project or application
- Take on freelance projects
- Earn relevant industry certifications
- Participate in technology competitions or collaborative projects
Hands-on experience can also give you examples of your work to discuss with prospective employers.
5. Build Your IT Resume
Your school’s career services department may be able to provide guidance as you build a resume that shows employers what you know and what you’ve done.
Be sure to highlight your education and technical training. Depending on the type of IT work you’re pursuing, relevant certifications could include:
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
If you don’t have professional IT experience yet, consider including internships, volunteer work, relevant school assignments, technical labs, and personal projects that demonstrate hands-on ability.
And remember to tailor your resume to the position. The skills that matter for a help desk role may be different from those emphasized in networking, systems administration, cloud computing, or cybersecurity.
6. Look for Your First IT Job
You don’t have to wait until you complete your education or training to begin learning how employers recruit for IT positions.
Start with the career services team at your school, but also return to your earlier research into companies and job postings. Compare the skills you’re developing with the qualifications employers are requesting.
General employment sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter can provide a broad view of available positions, while technology-focused sites such as Dice and Built In may help you explore opportunities specifically within the technology sector.
7. Build Your Professional Network
Technical skills can help prepare you for an IT career, but relationships can also play an important role in learning about the field and finding opportunities.
Start building connections with classmates, instructors, alumni, coworkers, and people already working in areas of IT that interest you. Look for professional associations, local or online technology communities, industry events, certification groups, and other places where IT professionals share knowledge and experiences.
Professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn can also be useful for connecting with people in the field, following potential employers, and learning about job openings. But networking doesn’t have to happen entirely online.
Ask people about the work they do, the skills they use, and how they got started. Participate in conversations about cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, AI, and other areas that interest you. As you gain experience, share your own projects, certifications, education, and technical interests.
The goal isn’t simply to collect connections. It’s to build relationships, learn from people already working in the field, and become part of the professional community you hope to join.
Explore IT Education at National American University
If education is part of your pathway into IT, National American University offers online information technology degree options for students at different stages of their educational journey.
Students can explore NAU’s Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology pathways, as well as NAU’s FOCUSED Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, a reduced-credit bachelor’s degree designed for working adult learners.
Depending on the program and pathway selected, students can also explore areas of study aligned with fields such as cybersecurity, network administration, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence.
The right pathway depends on where you’re starting, what you’ve already learned, and where you want your IT education to take you.
Explore National American University’s information technology degree options to compare pathways and learn more about taking the next step toward an IT education.
