What to expect from your IT career?
IT careers are hot and they're going to get hotter, according to the employment projections of the Bureau of Labor & Statistics. This government agency projects, for example, that during the first decade of this century, there will be a 100% increase in the needs for Computer software engineers, applications. This category is closely followed by computer support specialists, at a 97% projected increase, and software systems engineers, with a 90% increase.
Other IT-related jobs expected to grow in importance for government, education, business and industry are: network and computer systems administrators (82%), network and data communications systems analysts (77%), desktop publishers (67%), database administrators (66%), and computer systems analysts (60%).
The Bureau suggests that most employers will be looking for candidates to have a bachelor's degree in a related field, though a computer support specialist may be required to earn only a two-year, or associate's degree.
IT Job Salaries
IT salaries are all over the place today, with most in the $60,000-$80,000 range, though the more advanced jobs, of course, earn higher rates of pay. Here are a few examples, courtesy of Salary.com
Web content engineer, Boston, MA: $68,988 Base salary, mean average
Network administrator, Los Angeles, CA: $59,344 Base salary, mean average
Chief Information Technology Officer, Montgomery, Alabama $183,658 Base salary, mean average
