What Is Career Level 12 in Accenture

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If you love all things digital, information technology (or IT) might just be the perfect career for you. As an IT professional, you might work with computers, mobile devices, networks, web pages—the options are nearly endless. Even better, it's a rapidly-growing field, so you'll likely have opportunities to advance your career over time. We're here to answer your questions about how to break into the IT field and get the job of your dreams!

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   Most employers will prefer if you have a bachelor's degree. Choose a major like Information Technology, Computer Science, or another tech-related degree program. Getting a 4-year degree from an accredited school will show that you have the technical skills needed in your field, as well as the knowledge you need to apply those skills in the real world.^[1]

   • If going to college full-time isn't an option for you right now, consider signing up for an accredited online degree program. These typically cover the same material as you'd learn in a classroom setting, but you have the flexibility to learn on your own time.
   • As you're working on your degree, especially focus on courses that teach in-demand skills like Python, HTML, Flack, Asana, and Salesforce.^[2]

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   Sometimes, but you'll probably need to be certified. You may be able to get an entry-level position in the IT field if you pass a certification exam that shows you have the skills for that job. There are a number of technical certification programs to choose from—look for one that matches the knowledge you already have and the career path you want to follow.^[3]

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   Try getting a help-desk job to get started. A lot of people start out their career in IT working in customer support. While some positions do require a degree or certification, in some cases, just taking a few college-level computer classes might be enough. From there, you may be able to work up to into other IT positions, like working as a network administrator.^[4]

   • In addition to being computer-savvy, you'll also need to have good problem-solving and customer service skills.

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   Tailor your resume carefully to the job. Since you may still be competing against candidates with a bachelor's degree, it's important that you use your resume to show employers why you're right for the job. Carefully read through the job listing, looking for any requirements that match your resume. Then, emphasize those in your job application and your interview—that will help you stand out. Also, whenever possible, back up claims on your resume with concrete accomplishments.^[5]

   • For instance, if the job listing includes something like, "Use tools to analyze and resolve technical problems," you might mention that at your last job, you successfully helped your boss troubleshoot the printer network.

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   Try for a Comp TIA A+, CCNA, or Microsoft MDAA certification. While the entry-level certification you choose should be based on your particular skills, there are a few that are well-respected by employers. Some of the most popular include:^[6]

   • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Cisco's IT certification shows that you're able to install and maintain networking hardware, including access and security.
   • CompTIA A+: This shows you can perform maintenance on PCs, laptops, mobile devices, networks, and other hardware.
   • Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Association: This Windows-based certification shows employers that you can perform basic administrative and maintenance duties on PCs and Windows laptops.

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   You should love technology and be adaptable to change. Of course, if you want to work in IT, you should really enjoy working with computers, whether that's programming networks, building websites, or digging into the code that makes things work. Since the IT field is constantly evolving, you should also be committed to constantly learning, and ready to change your approach at a moment's notice if a new technology emerges.^[7]

   • Although you'll do a lot of work with machines, you'll need to communicate with the people you work with, so good people skills are a pretty important part of this career, as well.

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   There are a lot of different fields in the IT industry. As an IT worker, you might start out doing things like working in customer support or administrating databases or networks. As you gain experience, though, you might move into things like developing software or websites, analyzing computer systems for businesses, or working in network security.^[8]

   • Exactly what you'll do will depend on your particular area of expertise. For instance, if you concentrate on getting certified in networking, you might work as a Network Systems Administrator, Computer Network Architect, or Information Security Analyst.
   • If you focus more on coding, you might work as a Computer Programmer, Software Developer, or Web Designer.
   • If you want to work on the cutting-edge of technology, you might pursue a Master's degree and work as a Computer & Information Research Scientist.

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   The median annual wage is around $90,000. Of course, there's a pretty broad range of salaries within this versatile field. Positions that don't require as much experience, like computer support specialists, might earn closer to $55,000. On the other hand, if you were to earn a Master's degree and become a computer and information research scientist, you'd probably earn upwards of $120,000.^[9]

   • Even lower-paying IT jobs are still higher than the average for all occupations, which is currently around $42,000.

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   Yes, this industry should continue to grow over the next decade. Currently, there are about 6.7 million people working in the IT field in the United States.^[10] If that's not impressive enough, the field is expected to grow an additional 11% by 2029—that's significantly higher than expected growth for all occupations.^[11]

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   There's currently a big emphasis on data storage and security. As the IT field grows, certain niches are expected to be in especially high demand over the next 10 years. In particular, there will likely be a lot of growth in jobs that involve cloud storage and computing, network and information security, and big data storage.^[12]

   • Health-related IT careers are also a quickly-growing field!^[13]

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Add New Question

• Question

  How do I get a job in information technology?

  

  Jonathan Soormaghen is a Career Coach and Founder of Resume Advisor, a career counseling firm that specializes in creating personalized products such as resumes, CVs, cover letters, and online branding tools to propel clients toward their next career milestone. Jonathan holds a BA in Political Economy from the University of California, Berkeley, where he was honored to serve as the Valedictory speaker of general commencement. Prior to founding Resume Advisor, he worked in management consulting and finance at companies including Accenture, Target, and Ernst & Young. Jonathan's clients have landed job offers from leading firms including Netflix, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Uber, Deloitte, KMPG, Accenture, and Merrill Lynch.

  

  Career Coach

  Expert Answer

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  Make sure your resume is tailored as much as possible to the actual job description. If there are technical requirements that you meet or are even willing to learn, go ahead and list them. Lastly, try to draw a concrete connection between actions you took and what they achieved. For instance, if you managed marketing campaigns, a proper bullet would say "managed 20 plus marketing campaigns with budgets of up to $1 million, which resulted in 20% to 30% growth in social media following," not simply "managed marketing campaigns." Showing action and results is key.

• Question

  I have been working in the trades my whole life, and I am interested in looking for a new career path. Do I need to go to college or are there other programs that I could take to help me?

  

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

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  Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.

  If you want a career in IT, your best bet is usually a 4-year degree, although you can go to school online to make that happen! However, if that's not a good option, you could start by studying free online tutorials to learn the basics. When you feel ready, take various certification exams to show employers you know your stuff.

• Question

  Can I choose IT as a career if I don't know much about computers?

  

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

• Question

  Where should I start if I want to develop software?

  

  Get Linux. Then start using the Shell, use Bash, not zsh. Zsh teaches bad programming habits with its autocompletion that can cause terrible mistakes if you don't know what you're doing. Then learn C++ and Ruby. Just start at the base (the shell) then learn higher level languages. Then go back later and learn some assembly code.

• Question

  Will IT courses be hard to a person who loves computers but does not have any formal IT knowledge?

  

  Eric Chatham

  Community Answer

  This depends on the person's aptitude and skill level with computers.There is a very broad spectrum of fields and subsets within IT such as programming, networking, and hardware. Some people who are more geared towards math may be better at programming, and people who are more technically minded may be better at hardware, such as building servers or PCs. Remember you can always enroll in an introductory IT course.

• Question

  Can I get job in networking even if i have not completed degree . What kind of certification should I do as a fresher to get a job?

  

  Having a degree helps you get an IT job, but it's not a complete necessity. It depends on the company, but there are definitely networking certifications that you can get on the internet without going to school. Check out Cisco and Juniper Networks for certification.

• Question

  Can I get a master's degree in IT?

  

  Syed Muhammad Ali Kazmi

  Community Answer

  Yes, you can get a master's degree in Information Technology if you have gotten your bachelor's degree in this or any related field.

• Question

  Which degree should I pursue if I want to write game software?

  

  Eric Chatham

  Community Answer

  A degree is not necessarily needed in order to code games. Many programmers are self-taught. That said, a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology with a focus on Software Design/Programming is a good bet.

• Question

  How can one study IT online and graduate?

  

  Find a reputable program that's offered in your country and relates to the work you want to do. Focus on your online work as carefully as you would focus on in-class work.

• Question

  I didn't learn computer science in high school and I want to take ICT, is it possible?

  

  Yes, if you're willing to put in the elbow grease and do whatever it takes to learn. You can take courses in basic office applications online, through Youtube or EdX, or at a community college. You can also use a community college to learn programming languages and other computer skills. Some Computer Science degrees are entirely online if you check your state university. There are many online resources to learn computer language basics like Codecademy.com, freecodecamp.com, codeschool.com, or Microsoft Virtual Academy.

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Article SummaryX

If you love using computers and solving puzzles, a career in information technology might be for you! You can expand and develop your IT skills by learning to solve your own problems and work independently. Reach out to professionals in the field to see if they can help you get started or give you pointers. When you're ready, search online for "IT certification programs near me" and sign up for one you like. Pair your certification with a bachelor's degree in IT to really stand out! To learn more about getting an internship or a job in IT, keep reading!

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What Is Career Level 12 in Accenture

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