With the increasing reliance of corporations on interconnected systems, the role of Information Technology Specialists is in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for Computer and Information Systems Managers is $164,070, with a growth rate of 15% from 2022 to 2032.
While those roles typically require five years of experience, IT specialists, Network Administrators, and other more junior IT roles earn median salaries between $80,000 and $110,000, with similar rates of job growth.
Skills in Information Technology generally fall into two broad categories: technical skills and soft skills. Common technical skills include: web development, database management, operating system knowledge, programming, technical writing, and hardware deployment. This program covers all these skills, but is notably light on hardware topics in general.
While hardware is covered briefly in Introduction to Information Technology, and revisited in some limited contexts in other classes, it is not heavily featured in the program. There are two major reasons for this. First, while the overwhelming majority of early career IT jobs may require some conceptual understanding of computer or network hardware, they do not require an extensive knowledge of deployment. Second, its omission allowed more room in the program for two key topics - cloud computing and information security. Students will be able to build a strong understanding of both of these topic areas through our IT program, which were flagged by various professionals we interviewed as high priority areas - and ones with a notable skills gap in the workforce. Additionally, this program features a heavier emphasis on programming than many IT degrees. This is done to provide students with more flexibility in their career paths. This is especially true for students who pursue the Application Development Concentration.
In terms of building soft skills, this program seeks to leverage the traditional strengths of small colleges, which excel at providing skills in communication and critical thinking, two incredibly vital skills in Information Technology. To that end, we recommend the inclusion of courses in communication, organizational behavior, and writing.
Finally, to boost career readiness and employability, students will be fully prepared for two CompTIA certification exams - the A+ certification and the Network Certification. Students should be able to sit for these exams by the end of their sophomore and junior years, respectively. As such, they will be exceptional candidates for both internships and - upon completion of their degree - a variety of roles in IT.
In our recent enhancement of the IT curriculum, we've simplified the language in assignments across all courses, aiming to make complex concepts more accessible and to ensure clarity in our instructional materials. This initiative is particularly beneficial for students in the early stages of their IT education in ITM I and II.
| Member | Organization | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Noel Broman | Purdue Global | Academic representative |
| Jay Edmonson | FSAAP | Academic representative |
| Aaron Bowen-Ziecheck | McGill University | Academic representative |
| Maury Hillstrom | Marymount California University | Academic representative |
| Jack Li | Texas A&M University | Academic representative |
| Jackie Novak | Walsh University | LCMC representative |
| Justin Los | Microsoft | Industry representative |
| Debra Lantz-Yarbrough | Center for Digital Health | Industry representative |
| Nate Lu | Rize Education | Industry representative |
Recommended CIP Code: 11.0103
Note: Courses provided through the LCMC are shown in blue text