Top IT Career Paths in the 2020s and How to Get Started

Top IT Career Paths in the 2020s and How to Get Started

Information Technology (IT) jobs continue to experience healthy job growth in the 2020s. Technology is an integral part of all of lives, which is why it is the fastest growing career field.

Why is the IT job market growing so rapidly? Several factors increase the need for information technology experts.
Over the last twenty-five years, the World Wide Web has become ubiquitous, available to almost everyone via smartphones and Internet ready devices. E-commerce has been adopted as the preferred means of purchasing many products. The cost of hardware has dropped, allowing organizations to upgrade their infrastructure.

Security specialists are in high demand, due to cybercrimes and automated hacking. Big Data is used by companies for business intelligence, while cloud computing makes services available to most organizations.

The job market for information technology workers, though it is growing steadily, remains competitive. More than ever, it is important to plan a technology career roadmap, acquire the corresponding education and certifications, and continue learning once you get an IT job.

Sacramento IT Certification Programs

Campus, formerly known as MTI College, offers exam training and preparation for the CompTIA A+ certification with our Technical Support Specialist program and AWS Cloud Administration degree program, and for the CompTIA Network+ and Security+ certifications with the AWS Cloud Administration program.

Below, we look at some of the best IT career paths, with the types of certifications or experience you’ll need to begin your information technology career.

IT/Technical Support Specialist

IT and Technical Support Specialists install software, set up computer workspaces, and solve technical issues that arise on a day-to-day basis. These specialists help troubleshoot computer, network and software issues.

Job Outlook: Stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, EMSI, and Burning Glass Labor Insights show expected job growth of 9% to 13% between 2020 and 2030.

Note: The data provided above are from a source unaffiliated with Campus, are for informational purposes only and represent the employment field as a whole. They are not solely specific to Campus graduates and, by providing the above information, Campus makes no representation, direct or implied, or opinion regarding employability.

Recommended Certifications: CompTIA A+ certification.

Notes: Other certifications that are recommended are the CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA ITF+. More advanced certifications may include the CompTIA Linux+ and Server+ certifications.

Campus is ready to help you prepare for an IT career with our Technical Support Technician diploma and CompTIA A+ certification that you can earn in as little as 42 weeks.

Cybersecurity Specialist

Cybersecurity professionals detect malicious threats and proactively implement changes to prevent vulnerabilities in an organization. A security operations team may have several layers of team members that monitor, contain, and remediate threats to IT security. These professionals may be responsible for installation, administration, and troubleshooting of security solutions. Security specialists may also lead initiatives on creating security policies and best practices for the organization team.

Job Outlook: Information security is experiencing phenomenal growth, with 25% to 31% job growth projected between 2018 and 2028. Pay is robust.

Recommended Certifications: You can qualify for an entry-level cybersecurity position with the CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Network+ certifications.

Notes: More advanced certifications that you may pursue later include the CompTIA Project+, CySA+, PenTest+, and CASP+, along with the ISACA and ISC2 CISSP. Some more advanced positions that you may attain later in your career include Security Administrator and Security Analyst.

If becoming a cybersecurity expert sounds like an exciting career, Campus offers an A.A.S. AWS Cloud Administration degree program that will prepare you for CompTIA Security+ and Network+ certification, as well as AWS and A+ certifications.

IT Networking Specialist

Networking Specialists supports a company’s internal servers including desktop computers and other networked devices. A Networking Specialist may analyze, troubleshoot, and evaluate computer network issues. They may also build, design, and maintain communication networks. Network architects and engineers may build local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.

Job Titles: Some of the titles under this job classification can include Network Support Technician, Junior System Administrator, Network Administrators, Network Architects, Network Engineers. What position you qualify for will depend on your training, certification, and experience.

Job Outlook: Job growth is expected to be 9% between 2019 and 2029 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Recommended Certifications: With the CompTIA A+ certification, Network+ certification, and Security+ certification, you should qualify for an entry-level position.

Notes: More advanced certifications that you can pursue as your career grows are the CompTIA Project+, Cloud Essentials+, Linux+, Server+, and Cloud+. There are also Networking certifications from Microsoft (MTA, MSCA, MSCE), Red Hat, Cisco (CCT, CCNA, CCIE), and AWS for more advanced training.

Campus in Sacramento offers an A.A.S. AWS Cloud Administration degree program that prepares you to pass the A+, Security+, and Network+ certification exams.

Cloud Solutions Architect

Cloud architects manage the ever-increasing complexity of cloud computing architecture. Cloud architecture deals with all cloud computing in an organization including front-end platforms, servers, storage, delivery, and cloud storage networks.

What is cloud computing architecture? This refers to the components needed to leverage large scale computer processing, even as a smaller organization. These components are a front-end platform (interface), back-end platforms (the processing), cloud-based delivery, and the network. Many advances have been made over the last two decades in cloud architecture, making it practical for organizations of all sizes.

Cloud architects take technical requirement of a project, and design and guide the construction of the final architecture. They often analyze complex business objectives and find how to use cloud technology to create solutions. Cloud architects may also work closely with other technologists like DevOps engineers to make sure the technology stack is helping solve business problems.

Job Outlook: Job growth is projected to increase by 5% to 10% from 2019 to 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Recommended Certifications: The Amazon AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification, Amazon AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications will help you begin your Cloud Administration or Cloud Solutions Architect career.

Notes: If this is a career path that interests you, Campus has a AWS Cloud Administration degree program that will help you qualify for a Cloud Solutions Architect position.

Get Prepared for a Tech Career at Campus

Campus offers degree and certification programs for a variety of technology certifications. The AWS Cloud Administration and Technical Support Specialist programs offered at our Sacramento campus will help you qualify for an IT job, and help you start your career in technology. Take the first step towards your information technology career with us today.