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Questions

Q. I have no experience with technology. Can I still pursue an information technology career?

A. Yes. Familiarity with computers is helpful, but not necessary. The basic skills you have acquired in administrative, service, sales or retail jobs can transfer to entry-level opportunities in information technology.

Q. How do I know if an information technology career is right for me?

A. There are lots of different technology-related career paths that provide a professional work environment and opportunities for advancement. If you like to solve problems, work in an interactive setting and learn while you are working, information technology might be the right career for you!

Q. How long does it take to complete an information technology education/training program?

A. Information technology trainers provide short-term, industry specific training that usually leads to a recognized industry certification. This type of training in which students earn certificates recognized by area employers can be completed from within three to six months up to 18 months.

Information technology educators offer more comprehensive academic coursework that results in a degree. The length of an education program depends on the type of program and your current level of education. If you have completed some college courses, be sure to ask a potential education or training provider if your previous coursework can transfer to their information technology program. Without any previous college education, associate's degree programs generally take an average of two years to complete, while bachelor's degree programs generally take an average of four years.

Q. I work full time. How can I pursue additional education or training?

A. You are not alone. Technology education and training opportunities are diverse. Many schools offer part-time and evening courses, as well as short-term training to accommodate students like you with busy work schedules. Short-term training is often a good way to get started in a new field for students who cannot afford not to work. Online and distance learning courses offer additional flexibility for returning adult students.

Q. Aren't companies laying off information technology workers?

A. Studies show workers with computer skills are more likely to have a better career path in terms of pay, job security and long-term learning. Eight of the ten fastest growing careers through 2010 identified by the U.S. Department of Labor are computer-related. They are: computer applications software engineers; help desk technicians; computer systems software engineers; network administrators; network systems and data communications analysts; desktop publishers; database administrators; and computer systems analysts. If you think an information technology career is right for you, it is important to get the skills now to prepare for the growth of information technology jobs in the near future.

Q. What are information technology jobs like?

A. Many information technology jobs involve a great deal of communication and teamwork. Problem-solving, creative thinking and organizational skills are among the skills information technology workers use every day. Information technology jobs can also offer opportunities for flex-time, telecommuting and other innovative workplace practices. Many employers pay for training so that information technology workers can continually upgrade their skills.

Q. Where are information technology jobs in the Chicago area?

A. A recent survey indicates that many Chicago-area employers are actively seeking to increase the number of women and minority information technology employees. Traditional industries such as banking, education, health care, transportation, retail, entertainment and hospitality hire technology workers at a much greater rate than companies whose sole business is technology. Information technology jobs are found in every sector of the economy. In fact, 95 percent of the technology jobs in the Midwest are at non-technology companies. Information technology also offers women opportunities to develop technology-based solutions to make a difference in fields like education, health care and art.

Visit an Internet job board like www.monster.com or review the Help Wanted section of your local newspaper to see computer-related jobs available in the Chicago-area. Your local library is another place to find out more about the types of jobs available in information technology.

Q. What type of salary and benefits would I get at an information technology job?

A. A starting technical support analyst earns an average salary of nearly $40,000 a year, a computer programmer earns an average of $45,000 a year, and a Web designer earns an average of $53,000 a year. These salaries are in addition to benefits such as health insurance, on-the-job training, ongoing education and training to continually upgrade skills, and flexible work hours.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, technology fields pay up to 78 percent more in salary than other career fields. And information technology is one of the few fields in which women compete fairly with their male counterparts for comparable pay. Visit www.salary.com for more information about average salaries in information technology jobs.

Q. Do companies offer on-the-job training for information technology jobs?

A. There are many opportunities for entry-level information technology jobs that require a minimal amount of computer training; particularly jobs like help desk and Web page assistant positions. Many workers increase their technology skills while in these positions and then move on to more technologically advanced jobs.

Q. How do I advance in information technology careers?

A. Advancement in IT careers depends on your willingness to learn and use new programs, resourcefulness, communication skills, and increasing knowledge of the business that you have selected.

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