| According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, | | | | more appealing, a degree in computer science or |
| information technology-related jobs are expected to | | | | programming, for example, offers you a broad base |
| be among the fastest and largest growing jobs in the | | | | of knowledge applicable in several roles. |
| economy through 2016. In fact, computer software | | | | * What is Your Time Frame? If you're an established |
| engineers, computer systems analysts, network | | | | professional looking to augment your skills for a quick |
| systems and data communication analysts should see | | | | lateral or upward position change, certification can |
| significant gains in both employment and annual salary. | | | | give you that freedom. However, a traditional degree |
| You can position yourself to take advantage of this | | | | might be smarter if your fresh out of high school, or |
| industry growth with an online education or | | | | a mid career changer, and you plan on committing |
| professional certification. | | | | yourself to the IT industry. |
| Online Education was Made for IT | | | | * What Kind of Learning Do You Seek? IT |
| A variety of factors are combining to move | | | | certification is typically marked by an association with |
| technology education from the campus to the | | | | like-minded professionals who can help you shape |
| Internet. According to the most recent statistics | | | | your professional direction. With the degree route, |
| compiled by the Sloan Consortium, nearly 3.5 million | | | | you can benefit from the student-oriented |
| students were enrolled in online courses in the fall of | | | | experience of which colleges and universities are best |
| 2006 and two out of every ten college students in | | | | known. |
| the country took at least one online course during | | | | Potential Career Paths |
| that period. In fact, more than more than two-thirds | | | | While pure IT careers are still viable, you should |
| of all higher education institutions have some form of | | | | recognize that future opportunities mimic the ways |
| online education in place. | | | | technology applies to business. As the business world |
| When you consider it, the distance learning format is | | | | continues to fuse with the computer world, IT pros |
| especially suited for the IT industry simply because it | | | | should enjoy unique opportunities in the near future. |
| offers you a rich technological component that you | | | | For example, the maturity of the industry should |
| generally can't get from the traditional campus route. | | | | create a host of new job titles and activities. In other |
| Logging in to your classroom, accessing networks of | | | | words, IT may no longer be a subset, but rather |
| research and study tools, and conversing via chat | | | | become integrated into traditional business roles. |
| with professors and fellow students can prepares | | | | While integrated IT roles may soon find their way |
| you for the challenges of the profession during each | | | | into the workplace, there are two key factors to |
| class and study session. | | | | consider when pursuing an IT career path. First, the |
| Certification versus Degree | | | | average IT career sees about 10 job titles in a |
| Ironically enough, preparation for an IT career poses | | | | twenty year span. That means you should be flexible |
| a unique conundrum for potential professionals. Should | | | | and knowledgeable enough to adapt to the |
| you follow the traditional academic route and earn a | | | | professional flow within the IT industry. Second, |
| bachelor's degree? Or is a professional certification | | | | positions such as LAN technicians and network |
| your best bet? While the answer is not an easy one | | | | support are typically transitional positions--meaning |
| to determine, taking stock in your career goals may | | | | entry-level graduates can easily fill them. In turn, |
| shed some light on the issue. You should ask yourself | | | | mastering an IT specialty may provide for true |
| three important questions when considering a degree | | | | staying power in the IT world. |
| or certification: | | | | The bottom line? |
| * Where Do You Want to Go? If immediate | | | | Consider how your education--whether an online |
| employment is a critical factor, an IT certification | | | | degree or certification--will prepare you to enter, |
| might be the way to go. If professional variety is | | | | adjust, and stay competitive in the marketplace. |