Information Technology (IT) is one of the fastest-growing and most in-demand fields in the world. With technology becoming increasingly important in all aspects of our lives, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in IT.
There are many different ways to get started in an IT career. You can take classes in high school, earn a degree in computer science or a related field, or get certified in a specific IT skill. You can also gain experience by working on personal projects or volunteering your time to help others with their technology needs.
A career in IT can be both challenging and rewarding. You will have the opportunity to use your skills to solve complex problems and make a real difference in the world. You will also be able to work with a variety of people and learn new things every day.
If you are interested in learning more about IT careers, there are many resources available to you. You can talk to your guidance counselor, research different IT fields online, or attend a career fair. You can also shadow an IT professional to learn more about what they do on a daily basis.
With hard work and dedication, you can have a successful and rewarding career in IT.
ShareIT: A Program of Opportunity
When people hear ”technology,” they often think of their mobile devices or social media. But technology goes much further; it powers our schools, hospitals, and even governments. ShareIT helps bring this idea to life, showing high school students the many sides of information technology and how it shapes the world.
Weekly, students dive into specific areas of IT, like Database, Cybersecurity, and Robotics. While the program is student-led, these sessions are run by professionals who work in the industry and deal with real-world problems daily. With these experiences, they encourage students to envision themselves contributing to the large, connected world of IT and consider how different fields collaborate to be successful. For example, a project that focuses on the creation of video games cannot properly succeed without the added use of cybersecurity, database management, and software development.
Consistently, mentors note student growth when comparing their performance from the beginning to the end of the semester. Mentor Maurice Dennis agrees, saying he’s seen students improve in their “proficiency with technology, goal-setting, and overall understanding of course materials.” Additionally, Maurice mentioned that interested students only need “basic understanding of IT,” encouraging anyone with even a small interest in tech to join.
More Than Just Developers
While ShareIT focuses on technology, it also emphasizes the importance of skills such as teamwork, communication, time management, and problem solving. Skills like these are pillars of a successful team in any field, not just information technology! Whether students are fairly distributing the workload or presenting their final project, they develop skills that help them collaborate effectively with others.
An earlier ShareIT student said that they “learned the reality of teamwork during their time in ShareIT,” that it “taught the pros and cons of working in a team with different people and personalities.” Their experience helped in their first team-centered class the next semester, and later their first job.
As the student suggested, soft skills are not only useful in school; they are essential in most tech-related jobs. Developers may write the code, but they rely on others in their team to keep project organization, timeliness, and efficiency. Roles like Project Manager, Quality Assurance, and more are key to a successful IT team.
To emphasize the importance of roles like these, ShareIT mentors and professionals discuss project management in the first sessions of the semester. They explain why the roles are important, so students can choose who does what for the semester. This allows students to experience an IT project team, taking on a non-development role.
By shining a light on these underappreciated positions, ShareIT encourages students to see that there’s a place for everyone in the world of technology.