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How Do I Become an IT Professional?

G. Wiesen
G. Wiesen

If you want to become an IT professional, then one of the first things you should do is consider what aspect of information technology (IT) you want to work in. You can then find a college or university that offers an appropriate degree to help you work in the area of IT you find most appealing. While a college degree is not always necessary, it can certainly make it easier for you to find a job; you might also consider some form of professional certification. Once you have the training you need to become an IT professional, then you should look for businesses hiring in your particular field.

To become an IT professional, you typically need to receive training in a particular aspect of the IT industry. This means you should first consider what aspect of IT you wish to work in, so you can receive the training that is most appropriate for you. You might consider computer software development, website creation and administration, network administration, or information security (IS). Once you determine that you want to become an IT professional in a particular field, then you should look for a college or university that offers a program in that field.

Woman doing a handstand with a computer
Woman doing a handstand with a computer

You should look at hiring opportunities for positions in the field of IT in which you want to work, so you can determine the degree you likely need to become an IT professional. A bachelor’s degree is often preferred by many companies, though an associate’s degree may be sufficient in some instances. You should work on and complete the appropriate degree to become an IT professional in your chosen field. If you want to work in network security, for example, then you might receive a bachelor’s degree from a school with an IS program or an IT program with a focus on security.

There are also a number of different professional certifications you might want to receive to help you become an IT professional. These certifications are offered by different organizations and can help you quickly demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills necessary to thrive in the workplace. You should then begin looking for opportunities to become an IT professional in your chosen field. If you want to become a website creator and administrator, for example, then you should look for companies that want to create a new website, while network security professionals can look for companies that perform penetration tests for other businesses or find large companies in need of network security professionals.

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      Woman doing a handstand with a computer