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Job outlook for information technology/support technicians in the United States
Information technology/support technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected information technology/support technician job growth rate is 10% from 2018-2028.
About 83,100 new jobs for information technology/support technicians are projected over the next decade.
Information technology/support technician salaries have increased 9% for information technology/support technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 432,702 information technology/support technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 161,748 active information technology/support technician job openings in the US.
The average information technology/support technician salary is $45,591.
Are information technology/support technician jobs in demand?
Information Technology/Support Technician job and salary trends over time
Information Technology/Support Technician jobs over time
Information Technology/Support Technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 432,702 | 0.13% |
| 2020 | 517,490 | 0.15% |
| 2019 | 418,928 | 0.13% |
| 2018 | 284,731 | 0.09% |
| 2017 | 276,193 | 0.08% |
Average information technology/support technician salary over time
Information Technology/Support Technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,591 | $21.92 | +3.4% |
| 2024 | $44,089 | $21.20 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $43,091 | $20.72 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $42,440 | $20.40 | +1.7% |
| 2021 | $41,747 | $20.07 | +1.6% |
Information Technology/Support Technician jobs by state
Most common states for information technology/support technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 412 | 59% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 262 | 42% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 496 | 37% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 294 | 34% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 611 | 32% |
| 6 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 2,222 | 30% |
| 7 | Alaska | 739,795 | 223 | 30% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 217 | 29% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,332 | 28% |
| 10 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 336 | 24% |
| 11 | California | 39,536,653 | 8,901 | 23% |
| 12 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,396 | 23% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 715 | 23% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 240 | 23% |
| 15 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,526 | 22% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,320 | 22% |
| 17 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 649 | 22% |
| 18 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 456 | 22% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 198 | 21% |
| 20 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 122 | 21% |
Most common cities for information technology/support technicians
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Charles | 16 | 49% | $46,003 |
| 2 | DeKalb | 16 | 37% | $45,876 |
| 3 | Plainfield | 16 | 37% | $45,919 |
| 4 | Buffalo Grove | 15 | 36% | $46,172 |
| 5 | Downers Grove | 17 | 34% | $46,055 |
| 6 | Tinley Park | 16 | 28% | $46,056 |
| 7 | Joliet | 16 | 11% | $45,924 |
| 8 | Naperville | 16 | 11% | $46,013 |
| 9 | Aurora | 18 | 9% | $45,963 |
| 10 | Richmond | 7 | 3% | $51,576 |
| 11 | Irving | 5 | 2% | $43,685 |
| 12 | San Francisco | 5 | 1% | $61,255 |
| 13 | Atlanta | 4 | 1% | $43,788 |
| 14 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $47,587 |
| 15 | Colorado Springs | 4 | 1% | $37,358 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 6 | 0% | $56,851 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $45,472 |
| 18 | Chicago | 4 | 0% | $46,168 |
| 19 | Dallas | 4 | 0% | $43,687 |
Information Technology/Support Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of information technology/support technician experts
Hampton University
Governors State University
Palm Beach State College
University of New Haven
Western Illinois University
Texas A&M University San Antonio
American University
SUNY Oswego
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
George Washington University
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Rowan University
Arizona State University
SUNY at Binghamton
Siena College
DePaul University
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Troy University
California Northstate University
What general advice would you give to an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: By entering the computer engineering profession now, individuals can take advantage of the high skilled-power demand in the field, diverse career paths broadly classified under hardware and software sub-areas, lucrative salaries as compared to other fields, continuous learning opportunities, and the potential for entrepreneurship in changing ideas into startup businesses easily. It is a field that offers long-term growth prospects and the chance to contribute to the development of cutting-edge technologies.
What Information Technology/Support Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Yohannes Bekele: A computer engineer's daily tasks can be in the hardware or in the software areas. Some common responsibilities in hardware include designing and developing computer hardware components like processors, circuits and memory devices and creating prototypes and testing hardware products to ensure they meet specifications. In addition, analyzing test data and modifying hardware designs as needed is also the responsibility of a computer engineer. For software side, a computer engineer can do writing code and developing software especially focusing on the underlying hardware and interfacing with it such as kernel level programming and debugging existing software programs and ensuring systems run smoothly. Additionally, a computer engineer is responsible for designing and developing electrical systems and components required for computing systems and modification of electrical circuits based on function assessments. For someone entering the field as a junior or new computer engineer, typical daily activities may involve assisting senior engineers, writing code, testing products, attending training sessions focusing on the above mentioned concentration areas, and participating in meetings to learn about ongoing projects.
What general advice would you give to an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Soft skills are necessary always but in regard to technical skills I see AI having a more prevalent role in IT. Graduates will need to look for ways both to leverage AI to help deal with cybersecurity related issues in addition on how AI can aid in complete infrastructure tasks
What Information Technology/Support Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Make sure you stay on top of the latest developments with technology. With the fluidity of technology, students today need to have the solid groundwork of a degree in IT but also understand things are continually changing and this need to always be continuing their learning and professional development.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Certifications help set you apart from other graduates. When just starting out focus on vendor neutral certifications that can show potential employers that you are willing to get the necessary additional certifications that are prevalent in the IT field.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
Dwight Elliot
Professor: Information Management, Cybersecurity & LawPalm Beach State College
Homeland Security
What general advice would you give to an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Dwight Elliot: In addition to the following 10 best practices from the article below, I would like to share the
following approach to career and job success that leads to maximization of salary during a
career:
a) Employers' Vision and Mission: Focus on understanding the vision and mission of the
organization you work for and what is important to them. If the idea, concept, or project
is important to them then it is important to you. Understand the history and background
of the company, the current project, financial and financial growth goals of the company,
who their competitors are, and what competitive edge the company have or some that you
can suggest. Do not just concentrate on what you want from the job (such as a good
salary, everyone says this). Make sure you are providing the employer with value, what
they want and need from you and in return you are laying the foundation and a strong
case for what you want and need from the job. This is an essential component of making
yourself valuable and marketable for salary increases and promotions based on your
performance and your measurable growth contribution to the organization.
b) Environmental Awareness and Communication with Stakeholders: Be sure you take
the time to learn the different internal and external stakeholders within the organization.
Understanding and respecting organizational structures as well as hierarchies and
following processes and communication protocols matter in an organization. You must
know who to speak to about what, when , where and how. Know your job well and how it
is related to the job of other people on your team. Understand and respect the role of all
individuals within the organization, especially those who are above you. If you do not yet
know their role within the organization begin to ask questions nicely of someone who
does know the players well and the history behind certain key positions. Get to learn the
written and unwritten rules. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person could cost you a
job or be detrimental to your career in the long term. In the alternative, making a good
impression by communicating properly with the right person could open doors for you
now and in the future. This is an essential component of making yourself valuable and
marketable for salary increases and promotions based on your performance and your
measurable growth contribution to the organization.
c) Employer's View: Are You An Asset or Liability? Try your best to understand the
employer's point of view versus your own. Engage in micro level vs. macro level
comparative analysis as best you can. This means you make a concerted effort to think
about what is important to your employers or clients and how you can be instrumental in
meeting their needs at the highest level of performance, then think of how you can benefit
based on your valuable contribution. Ask yourself each day whether you are an asset to
the company or liability?, and be truly honest with yourself. What unique value do you
bring to the team, such as advanced data analytics skills, advanced accounting skills,
advanced technological skills, etc. Is there anything that you are doing that detracts from
this value that can make this valuable asset that you bring non-useful or non-impactful?
This is an essential component of making yourself valuable and marketable for salary
increases and promotions based on your performance and your measurable growth
contribution to the organization.
d) Be Present Physically, Mentally and with Positive Energy: Please be sure that you are
showing up to work ahead of time or at least on time.
a. Physically Present: Many individuals lose job opportunities just based on their
inability to be present and accountable for work on time. High level employees
actually show up to work 30 minutes to an hour early on a consistent basis.
b. Mentally Present: While you are at work you need to be fully engaged in work
related activity. This means that you do not spend an inordinate amount of time on
your cellphone looking at non work related messages, such as social media and
non-work related text. This is not fair to the employer and you will not allow you
to maximize your contribution to the organization or put in the work necessary to
make yourself a valuable asset to the company. What you do with your time is
what you become.
c. Energy, Communication and Positive Presence: Be sure that your energy level
is monitored and you positive in your communications, since this ultimately
affects profits and losses if a customer does not return to do business with you or
an employer because of how they were treated. Your outlook and energy affect
your overall job performance, business and career growth and ultimately your
profits. All your roles within an organization require good communication and
customer service skills. Be sure that your energy level is uplifting, positive and
creates an atmosphere where customers and colleagues feel welcome to do
business with you. This is a "little" thing that can make a big difference.
e) E) Respectful: Ensure that you are respecting others in the same way and even more than
you want them to respect you. Give as much or more than you receive, and your career
will be even more fulfilling. Ultimately a person's attitude determines their altitude in
life.
These are essential components of making yourself valuable and marketable for salary
increases and promotions based on your performance and your measurable growth
contribution to the organization..
f) Documentation of Biography, Website, Linkedin Portfolio and GitHub: Please be
sure that your are consistently updating you BIO, resume, LinkedIn, website or any other
form of professional documentation that ensures your accomplishments, achievements
and status is current and up to date. As you engage in professional development trainings,
gain certifications or additional degrees, and add additional experiences be sure to update
your profile so that you are maximizing your value.
Implementing these best practices consistently will help position you for salary increases and
promotions based on your performance and measurable growth contribution to the organization.
What Information Technology/Support Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dwight Elliot: Core Skills Areas: data security, networking, software development, cybersecurity, systems
engineering, AI, data analytics, financial and risk analysis, security intelligence, GDPR
Certifications (some important ones):
1) CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+
2) Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
3) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
4) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
6) Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
7) Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Soft Skills: honesty, integrity and trust, compliance, communication (in-person and live) then
virtual, patience, accountability and dependability, transparency, trainable and coachable,
teamwork, discipline, commitment, dedication, humility, time management, project management
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dwight Elliot: Combination of Theoretical and Practical Knowledge: Ensure that you have a strong
combination of theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on skill sets. You must be able
to articulate your knowledge and experience well in an interview and demonstrate what
you are able to do. Be prepared to show examples of precious work that you have
produced or created.
b) Job Research: Always engage in continuous job search Online and in-person. Read
carefully the job description and determine how your background, knowledge and
experience fits best with the job you are reviewing. Customize your resume to that job if
you feel you have the appropriate matching skill sets. If you do not have all the skills sets
at the time, be willing to set mini-goals to gain those skills and update your resume when
you do add additional skills, then reapply to the appropriate jobs available.
c) Online Job Database: Gradually build your profile on various IT and Cybersecurity jobs
such as: www.dice.com, www.monster.com, and www.cyberseek.org and also at the
organizational and company website. Once you setup an Online profile it will make it
easier to reapply in the future for other jobs that are related to your background.
d) Keywords: Make sure you list certain keywords on your resume that matches the jobs, if
you have those skills, so when a HR representative reviews resumes you have the
appropriate terms on your resume that match the job and the algorithms can identify your
skill set. Only do this if you have the actual knowledge and skill can explain yourself in
an interview. Do not do this if you do not have the actual knowledge and skill, since
being asked a question in an interview that you are unqualified to answer is not a good
look for your career and could be detrimental.
e) Continuous Learning: Be willing to engage in continuous learning, studying beyond
your degree accomplishments, since learning never stops and technology continues to
change. Maybe also pursue certifications.
f) Professional Online Business Portfolio and Brand: Continue to build a strong Online
IT, Networking and Cybersecurity Portfolio, through websites such as Linked in for
example, and also your own secure website that shows demonstrations of the creative
work that you have done in the past for clients and other jobs.
g) IT , Networking and Cybersecurity Events, Seminars and Conferences: Be willing to
always continue to attend events, seminars and conferences (in person and virtual) and
actually meet industry professionals. Do a search these events Online at all times.
Adrian Rusu
Professor, Alice E. and Michael J. Fisher Teaching Chair in Computer ScienceUniversity of New Haven
Computer Science
What general advice would you give to an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Adrian Rusu: By getting involved in internships, co-ops, or other potential real-world experiences in their field of interest, so they can obtain real-world experience beyond classroom during their studies. Generally, employers value graduates who already have relevant real-world experience and who therefore can easier adapt to job requirements.
What Information Technology/Support Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Adrian Rusu: Soft skills will be important as graduates will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of professionals and customers. Relating to and understanding customers' point of view is critical to their ability to deliver technical solutions that meet customers' needs.
In addition to soft skills, technical skills in high demand and emerging areas of interest will be important. Whether graduates have interest in developing information technology infrastructure, providing information security services, or getting involved in business analysis, they would need to deepen their technical skills in those areas.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Adrian Rusu: Since an Information Systems degree covers a variety of different types of jobs, a graduate beginning their career has a variety of opportunities. My advice is to follow their interests and pursue jobs in their area of interest.
Hoyet Hemphill Ph.D.
IDT Program Coordinator and Graduate Advisor, Instructional Design and TechnologyWestern Illinois University
School of Engineering and Technology
What skills stand out on Information Technology/Support Technician resumes?
Hoyet Hemphill Ph.D.: The next K12 job mostly advertised is Technology specialist, and the majority of the skills include knowledge of data visualization tools like google data studio, strong spreadsheet skills. (Google Sheets is preferred.), ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy, excellent communication and analytical skills, knowledge of data analytics, ability to troubleshoot data questions, excellent organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills, excellent client-facing and internal communication skills. Duties most seen include interpreting, summarizing, and communicating data analyses to clients, ability to create forms and strategies to help schools efficiently and effectively collect data, download, review, and interpret school-related data from assessment providers, school spreadsheets, and other systems.
The skills required majorly for the curriculum designer position include understanding by design principles for curriculum design, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, excellent writing skills, ability to create effective and fair assessment methods. The duties include collaborating effectively and extensively with internal and external partners, including content and specialty teams to ensure the curriculum is developed in accordance with all articulated quality standards, overseeing the review/feedback process for all subject curriculum, including coordination of teacher review teams, consensus building, conflict resolution, planning, and decision-making, etc.
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Computer Information SystemsTexas A&M University San Antonio
Computer Information Systems Department
What skills stand out on Information Technology/Support Technician resumes?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: The skills that stand out will depend on the job position you apply for. I do not think there is a set of universal skills that will stand out for any job. Instead, your resume skills must match the expected requirements for a specific job.
What soft skills should all Information Technology/Support Technicians possess?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: -Ability to work as part of a team.
-Attention to detail.
-Problem-solving and analytical skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: -Programming.
-Understand algorithms and data structures.
What skills will help Information Technology/Support Technicians earn the most?
Robert Vinaja Ph.D.: My personal view is that instead of following the skills that command higher salaries, one should focus on a field that you like and feel at ease with. Instead of following the money, one should follow your heart, and money will eventually follow.
Anthony Baron
Teaching Assistant, Associate Software EngineerAmerican University
What skills stand out on Information Technology/Support Technician resumes?
Anthony Baron: For new graduates, the main skills that stand would definitely include which programming languages (Java, JavaScript, Python, etc.) have been used along with a depth of knowledge, which frameworks and libraries (React, Django, Flask, etc.) were used throughout projects and internships, and showing work experience. Most introductory and required courses will teach programming languages but do not always teach frameworks, which is why I would always recommend people to do personal projects and internships throughout college. Many positions at the entry-level are often very general. However, positions that are looking for specifics will look for certain skills and experience. For example, positions looking more towards web development would be more interested in whether a user used frameworks used to build websites. Showing leadership and trustworthiness is also a helpful skill to stand out via work experience and university clubs.
What soft skills should all Information Technology/Support Technicians possess?
Anthony Baron: The main soft skills I would say are needed for Computer Science software engineering are patience, perseverance, creativity, respect, teamwork, and openness to learning and teaching. Programming involves a lot of trial and error, researching, and learning better techniques for solving a problem. Due to this, patience and perseverance to reach the final goal in mind are crucial. When it comes to the learning aspect, there are many languages, frameworks, and libraries, and working with them involves a steeper learning curve than others. On top of this, there are often more elegant ways to program a solution, and many new frameworks and libraries are released throughout the industry. This is where patience and perseverance is also a virtue. Lastly, programming and creating a product are often done in teams, where working together and learning from each other is important.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Anthony Baron: The main technical/ hard skills, I would say, are mainly the same as in part 1. Another hard skill that will come through with experience in programming is learning how to Google, more specifically knowing exactly what to search to solve an issue in the code.
What skills will help Information Technology/Support Technicians earn the most?
Anthony Baron: By earning, do you mean financially, career-wise, or most growth? Career-wise, it really depends on what the final goal is. For web developers, learning the programming languages and frameworks for web development would be the way to go. In general, any experience with programming and knowing a little about a lot will be helpful. Having top-level theory knowledge (some but not in-depth) is also very helpful. It will help you better understand what is happening under the hood and determine which methods are more efficient than others. Financially, it really depends on what skills are most in-demand today. Also, getting a Masters opens doors to more job opportunities, and in some companies, allows for a pay increase. However, this is not the case everywhere.
What type of skills will young Information Technology/Support Technicians need?
Mario Bkassiny Ph.D.: In addition to their academic skills, young graduates should be able to effectively communicate across multiple platforms and be able to adapt to changing work environments. Given the various means of communications and collaborations that are available nowadays, young graduates should be able to clearly express their ideas either in a video conference or through the traditional email communications. Effective communication will be essential to succeed as a member of any engineering team.
How do you envision technology impacting Information Technology/Support Technicians in the next 5 years?
Mario Bkassiny Ph.D.: There has been recently a great focus on certain engineering technologies that enable smart systems with fast communications abilities. This has led to a revolution in several technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, wireless communications and cloud computing. Innovation in these fields will be essential in the upcoming years in order to keep up with the social and economic needs of modern life. The benefits of these innovations will have a long-lasting effect on our society.
What general advice would you give to an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Mario Bkassiny Ph.D.: Young graduates should continuously seek every learning opportunity to enhance their professional skills. With the fast growth of engineering technology, it is important for engineers to remain up to date with the most recent innovations in their fields. The learning process does not stop at graduation, but instead, it extends beyond college to the workplace where engineers can gain expert knowledge in their fields.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Derek Nazareth Ph.D.: The pandemic will have a lingering effect in several ways. The current holding pattern on hiring that characterizes many organizations will subside as organizations move towards normalcy. However, a number of practices that moved online will remain that way, due to convenience and cost, including recruitment and on-the-job training. Graduates will need to be more savvy in terms of working independently, as well as communicating and collaborating with others in remote fashion. Other practices that organizations were experimenting with pre-pandemic have become more prevalent in some cases. This includes reliance on consultants and external workers as embodied in the gig economy. That would mean more competition for graduates from outside the geographical area. On the flip side, it also offers graduates the opportunity to compete in remote markets.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Derek Nazareth Ph.D.: General certifications are likely to be of little value in enhancing employability. Niche certifications, on the other hand, can be quite valuable, though they need to be well established and recognized. The TS-410 for example is will get you ahead if you are looking to work with SAP (a form of ERP software). There are a number of certifications popping up in the business analytics area, though none are well established, and it is unclear what impact they will have. One area that will experience sustained demand which has recognized certifications is information security. The (ISC)2 certifications are likely more valuable than others, but they are more advanced. CompTIA Security+ would represent an entry-level certification. In terms of coursework, business analytics is very much in demand, and provides the opportunity to work in a variety of industries.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Derek Nazareth Ph.D.: Adaptability. We live in a world with constantly changing technology and evolving business practices. The traditional jobs of yore are no more. Being able to quickly acquire new skills, learn new technologies, and apply them to different contexts, will ensure sustained employability and the ability to move ahead.
What technical skills for an Information Technology/Support Technician stand out to employers?
Dr. Matthew Shirrell Ph.D.: I believe that technical skills are less important to employers in the field of educational leadership than are dispositions, experiences, and orientations to the work. School districts and others in the field of education are not necessarily looking for leaders with a set of particular technical skills, in my experience, beyond the obvious understanding of the nuts and bolts of school administration and some experience with instructional leadership. If the last year has shown anything, it is that the entire circumstances of schooling can change very quickly and unexpectedly. Potential leaders who have shown the ability and willingness to adapt to changing circumstances, whatever they may be, will be particularly valued, I think, by the job market in years to come. In addition, leaders' backgrounds, training, and understanding of the areas I previously described- technology; cultural, racial, linguistic, and socioeconomic diversity; and children's socio-emotional development - will all be valued by employers in the field.
How have salaries changed over time for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Dr. Matthew Shirrell Ph.D.: Salaries have remained relatively constant, in general, compared to other lines of work. Educational leaders can expect to be well-paid, but they should also not go into educational leadership expecting to get rich. Educational leaders often work long hours, and are often expected to be on call at all hours of the day, including weekends. Relative to the amount of work that educational leaders engage in, and the challenges that educational leaders face, the compensation is not extraordinary. But educational leaders are rewarded in other ways, particularly by the influence their work can have on children and families.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Information Technology/Support Technician job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Matthew Shirrell Ph.D.: The market for educational leaders will remain strong, overall, but the skills that are valued by the job market may shift to some extent. I think that, given the pandemic and other events of the past year, there will be several areas in which job seekers in the field of educational leadership will be in particular demand. First, the past year has seen deep disruptions to schooling, and educational leaders have had to adapt and improvise to meet changing demands. One area in which this has taken place has been in educational leaders' work to ensure equitable and efficient access to online learning for all students and families. I believe that educational leaders with strong backgrounds, training, and understanding of educational technology will be particularly valued in the job market in coming years. Given the events of the past year, there will also continue to be a particular focus on diversity in the field. This will involve recruiting and retaining more diverse leaders, but also an increased attention to leaders' training around issues of diversity. I believe that job seekers who have strong training that has prepared them to work with and support an increasingly diverse student population will have an advantage in the job market. Finally, the trauma that the pandemic has inflicted on many children and families will make the job of educational leaders particularly important in the coming years. I believe that prospective leaders who understand socio-emotional development, and how schools can support the socio-emotional health of students and families, will also be well-positioned in the job market in the years to come.
What technical skills for an Information Technology/Support Technician stand out to employers?
John Talburt Ph.D.: While employers like to see technical skills like Python and machine learning, they also value experience in more people-oriented and team skills like courses in change management, project management, data governance, and data quality management. These are areas where the technology problems are easier to solve than the cultural change issues.
How have salaries changed over time for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
John Talburt Ph.D.: I see salaries continuing to rise for data skills, especially data science roles. Data science salaries are now on par with and sometimes more than salaires for programming and software development roles. Companies are beginning to value people who can build end-to-end solutions from customer requirements rather than those graduates highly trained in just one particular technology.
These are the major trends I see from the perspective of our programs.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Information Technology/Support Technician job market given the pandemic?
John Talburt Ph.D.: I see demand for data skills rising significantly. Due to their training, most of our graduates are being hired for data roles including data governance, data quality, data analytics, master data management, and data science. From the supply side, the pandemic has significantly reduced the number of international students coming into our program. However, this has been more than compensated by the increase in domestic working professionals enrolling in our online graduate programs. It appears that data professionals working online from home see this as an opportunity to also enroll in online graduate programs to upgrade their degree credentials.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Patricia Coughlan: Human communication has experienced a paradigm shift due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Overly reliant "face to face" communication has shifted to embrace, even reluctantly, tech mediated communication. Yes, before the pandemic some of society was comfortable with emails and mobile phone use, while youthful society was more active on smartphones and social media, but now most everyone is experimenting and getting better at virtual communication. When the Oxford English Dictionary announced that it was not choosing one "Word of the Year" in 2020 but instead listed a series of words that reflect major societal change, it was not surprising to find many words related to workplace communication.
Words including unmute, remote, remotely, were up from previous years' usage by 300% or more (Collins, 2020). Plus, new words were coined and quickly became common place; Have you Zoomed? Were you Zoombombed? Clearly the popularity of workplace communication in our everyday speech shows that attitudes towards tech mediated communication has changed. The hesitance of both employers and jobseekers towards tech-mediated communication is no more. The barriers to using online professional resources or hosting/attending virtual events has diminished and is altering our notion of workspace and carbon footprints. Employers and jobseekers are seeing the potential benefits for maintaining brand relevance, posting timely information, and career networking. A new willingness to use tech is improving site navigation and personal online savviness. Competition in the workplace is now driven by deliberate acts of communication. Jobseekers are more conscious in the information they post.
Employers vet their job postings for accuracy and expectations to entice the most competitive of candidates. The ability at all hours of the day to seek jobs and hire employees from diverse global locations and times zones creates a cosmopolitan workforce. At the minimum, a best of all worlds approach that integrates tech-mediated platforms with "in person" components may exist after COVID-19 distancing restrictions are lifted. Future job opportunities will be better served through tech mediated communication platforms.
Collins, Barry. (2020). Zoom zings into the oxford dictionary words of the year. Forbes. Retrieved February 17, 2021, from forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2020/11/23/zoom-zings-into-the-oxford-dictionary-words-of-the-year/?sh=5e8b0d78a465
What's a good job out of college for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Patricia Coughlan: Communication majors are posed for success in the current job market. The nature of the discipline focuses on understanding and executing effective messaging to diverse audiences, in varied contexts, and communication modes (traditional such as writing and new tech platforms such as social media). The ability to understand verbal, non-verbal and written communication positions a Communication major as ready to impact the needs of employers and their clientele in a variety of fields. Because of the broad nature of a Communication Studies degree, graduates have greater flexibility for their career paths and ultimately their earning potential. Typically, Communication majors have the ability to complete courses in strategic, interpersonal, organizational, political, business, health, leadership, small group, family, and intercultural communication. Having a large swath of these courses broadens a student's portfolio.
Moreover, Communication majors are trained to consider ethical issues, rhetorical arguments, diversity, the power of persuasion, social influence, and to conduct research. In today's climate their strengths in mass media and digital communities are in demand. Communication graduates are easily employed as assistants and leaders in Public Relations, Human Resources, Advertising, Politics, Marketing, Event Planning, Social Media, Healthcare, Jurisprudence, plus more. It is impossible to think of a field that does not have the need for effective communication. My advice to my students on how to increase their earning potential begins early when they are freshman - recognize that every company and person has a need to effectively tell their story and your major suits you to help them do just that!
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Information Technology/Support Technician job market given the pandemic?
Patricia Coughlan: Without doubt the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting both professional and personal communication. For nearly a year, we have been sitting behind screens. And despite tense shoulders, eye fatigue, and tech-neck (that is a real thing), the challenging screen time has taught us how valuable it is to possess good communication skills and the need to improve our communicative actions. Now more than ever, my students are realizing that the underlying assumptions of interpersonal communication that you cannot not communicate - "Hey, what's that going on in your background" and that communication is an interdependent process - "Why haven't you answered my email" are true!
Good communication relies on creating structure to our messages and to ensuring open channels to initiate and maintain relationships. Good communication requires time and acts of deliberation.
As I teach a course specifically designed for graduating college seniors who are transitioning to the workplace, I stress these assumptions. The impact of the pandemic is measurable. No longer can soon-to-be graduates attend "face to face" career fairs or interviews. A new dependence on online "mediated" platforms has emerged. Beyond what people think, creating a strong, effective, professional, yet personal, online persona takes lots of time, requires clear structure, real effort, and frequent upkeep. In the past students would focus on creating a strong resume based upon current professional resume trends, signing up to attend a career fair, and deciding what to wear on the day of the event to ensure professional appearance. Now students still need the polished, structured resume and professional look, but they also need to search for online events to attend, and spend numerous hours creating a grammatically correct, visually appealing, and professional online presence. They need to professionally dress for a remote interview, make sure that their background is professional looking, test their technology, and log on in advance. Finding the right platform is a challenge too. Do they use Zippia, LinkedIn, Indeed, another career site, or numerous sites? So, this spring while filling out forms to graduate and completing their studies, all students - regardless of major - have to be actively engaged in "online self-branding."
Hemanth Kumar Demakethepalli Venkateswara Ph.D.
Assistant Research ProfessorArizona State University
School of Computing Informatics
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Hemanth Kumar Demakethepalli Venkateswara Ph.D.: The current batch of students graduating this year have all been equally affected by the pandemic. Newly graduated students are all facing the same challenge - the downturn in the economy which will affect the entire job market. As always, if the graduate is able to stand out from the crowd, they will have a better chance at landing a good job. The converse is also true - a poor job market will make it difficult for more graduates to find good jobs. The trick as always is to be better prepared. However, this situation will not last forever. The end of the pandemic will revive the chances of landing a good job. So, graduates should not despair if they do not get a good job in these times. They must be prepared to invest more effort towards improving their chances by taking up more courses and earning new certifications.
There is no doubt the pandemic is a defining moment in this century. It has set the marker for a 'Before Covid' and 'After Covid' timeline. However, with successful vaccination, we will soon see the end of the pandemic and get back to living how we did before the pandemic. Nonetheless, the pandemic has demonstrated the possibilities and opportunities in online learning. In the post-pandemic era, educational institutions and online learning platforms will take advantage of the promise in online learning. There will be an increase in demand for online learning leading to more affordable college education. We will reach a new equilibrium in the percentage of online to in-person curriculum. Students will benefit by having the opportunity to attend classes remotely. The benefits of online learning will outweigh the challenges. With improvements in technology and standardization of online pedagogy, online learning will be of great benefit to the institutions, faculty and the students. In this way the pandemic will have an enduring impact on the lives of graduates.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Hemanth Kumar Demakethepalli Venkateswara Ph.D.: There has been increasing interest in data science with the rise of AI related technology. This has led to most students opting for data science and AI-related specializations. This trend will continue for the foreseeable future. It is therefore a great time to invest in AI-related courses and certifications. However, students need to have expertise in one or more core computer science specializations like programming, databases, distributed systems, systems software, networks, full-stack development, etc. This will enable them to take advantage of the boom in AI. An AI-related certification on top of core computer science specialization is a great recipe for good job prospects.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Hemanth Kumar Demakethepalli Venkateswara Ph.D.: Technology is always rapidly changing. A tried and tested approach to improve professionally is by updating oneself through a process of life-long learning. For example, in the AI field, a researcher updates themselves by attending top-tier AI conferences, reading the latest publications from top-tier conferences, re-implementing the results published in a paper, testing out new libraries that are published, and attempting to generate new ideas. A similar approach can be applied to other areas as well.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.: I can say that we have received about 25% more PhD applications this year. It could be because there are fewer non-academic jobs available at the moment or because our department continues to grow. Unfortunately, several admitted international students could not enter the country and have had to defer the start of their graduate study.
What's a day at work look like for an Information Technology/Support Technician?
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.: I have been in touch with a few BU graduates who joined strong PhD programs last summer. Their experience is consistent with what we see in our department: experimental groups have been indeed affected by lab access regulations but theoretical/computational groups have adapted to the remote work quite naturally.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.: I think the biggest impact on the academic research has been the lack of in-person conferences. Online conferences are useful but they are missing a traditionally important element for the development of young researchers, which is students' informal interaction and networking outside of presentation rooms.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Information Technology/Support Technician job market given the pandemic?
Jami Cotler Ph.D.: In the past I've known of tech shops offering work hour flexibility often with required face-to-face team meetings. I think the pandemic has shown across many industries that work can be distributed while maintaining a high level of efficiency and effectiveness. I think we will see more employees in the tech industry having more work from home options post pandemic.
I think the need for tech has also been both recognized and has increased as we have had to rely on it to track and report pandemic data. I think there has also been a great awareness of tech tools such as web conferencing tools such as zoom that have now become commonplace tools for everyone to use. Online delivery services have also experienced greater demand, which increases the demand for tech professionals to work in these areas as well. As I tell my students, it is a really good time to be in this industry.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Jami Cotler Ph.D.: At Siena we have started to encourage students to get AWS certified. We had a long break and many students took advantage of it to get their certification. We are strongly considering making it a requirement for future cohorts. Having an understanding of cloud computing is important and demonstrating this knowledge in the form of a recognized certification has offered a really nice impact and competitive advantage for our students. Another area of certification is in security. Many of our students earned security certifications over the break as well.
How have salaries changed over time for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Jami Cotler Ph.D.: Overtime, I have seen that the competition to hire our students has increased and with this the salaries have also increased. When I first started teaching, some students had a difficult time finding a job after graduating. Now I'm finding that close to 94% of our graduates either have jobs or are enrolled in graduate school when they graduate. Another trend I'm seeing is more students pursuing their PhD directly from undergraduate school rather than going for their master's degree first. The salaries are very competitive for our graduates and companies are offering additional incentives such as free food, longer time off, etc. to find and keep talented students.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Jacob Furst: Unlikely. While a significant phenomenon culturally, the pandemic has affected technology significantly less.
What's a good job out of college for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Jacob Furst: Any job that allows you to explore the limits of your knowledge and capacity, that you enjoy, and that pays the bills. If it occasionally makes you uncomfortable, even better. There is no "good job" without the context of the person working the job. Find a fit.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Jacob Furst: Anything you do in your work that goes beyond expectations will provide benefit later on. Extra education, certifications, volunteering for tough assignments, getting to know you coworkers better, creating a fun and interesting workplace for you and peers. Again, no magic. Always be looking for ways to be better.
Dr. Ravi Patnayakuni
Associate chairUniversity of Alabama at Huntsville
Information Systems Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Dr. Ravi Patnayakuni: Most definitely, in my opinion. There are going to be lasting effects which many have characterized as 'acceleration' of change and 'dispersion' of how work is performed. In the short term, I expect it will be harder for graduates to find employment as hiring adjusts to the new landscape of remote hiring and remote work. For the long term, both the nature of work and sectors of job growth will change.
What's a good job out of college for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Dr. Ravi Patnayakuni: That is a very individual choice. However, areas that will be seeing growth are areas that are ripe for disruption. Energy is one of them, where we will see growth in renewables. Similarly, delivery of health and healthcare as we watch Amazon and Wal Mart take initial steps into the industry. The pandemic has demonstrated the feasibility of telemedicine and this is one of the trends we will see accelerating. Information Technology continues to be the engine that is accelerating many of these changes. With Information Technology comes data which is the new oil and harnessing that will continue to see growth in the form of Analytics, Data Science and Cloud Computing.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ravi Patnayakuni: Being agile and life-long learners. Having good communication skills. Taking initiative and demonstrating potential to be leaders.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Lauren Cole: We are currently seeing a trend of full-time employment at graduation falling an average of 10% over the last year, primarily due to the global pandemic. Though this may mean greater underemployment for a time and a longer wait for graduates to enter the workforce, thankfully the decrease was not quite as bad as first imagined. We do still have employers recruiting our students for internships and jobs, though the style in which they meet with students is now fully virtual. Since employers are now connecting with our students online, this has allowed for a greater variety of employers to be represented from a variety of locations outside of driving distance to campus. I believe the switch to virtual recruiting will be a lasting change in employer recruiting.
What's a good job out of college for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Lauren Cole: Since your article is focusing on the area of communication, I searched our First Destination Survey data to give you a sense of the type of jobs our communication graduates are pursuing because defining a good job is very specific to the individual based on their personality, skills, values and interests coupled with job market data. A popular industry for our communication graduates is the non-profit sector such as a student who took a job recently with the Equal Justice Initiative and another with a religious institution as a youth pastor. Journalism, Media and Publishing companies also rank high on our list of employers for these graduates. Since communication studies equips students with a broad skill set, several of our graduates went to work for private and public industries as well, ranging from insurance sales to staffing agencies and jobs in management and logistics.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Lauren Cole: New graduates will have a stronger resume, allowing them to negotiate for greater earning potential, the more experience they come out of college with. An internship, for example, is one way students can both solidify their industry of choice due to on-the-ground exposure, while also fortifying their resume, showing employers they have real-world experience. If approved by an advisor, our communication students have the option of receiving academic credit for internships, providing the job meets the learning outcomes required by their program. Other opportunities may include a part time job within their field of interest or simply shadowing or discussing the daily activities of a professional in the student's desired job sector.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Dr. Damon Meyer Ph.D.: Limited hiring and job openings due to the uncertainty in the economy. Some graduates may take alternative jobs instead.
What's a good job out of college for Information Technology/Support Technicians?
Dr. Damon Meyer Ph.D.: Working in biotech or pharmaceutical industry since they pay well with good benefits.
What will help Information Technology/Support Technicians increase their earning potential?
Dr. Damon Meyer Ph.D.: Receiving a graduate degree (MD, PharmD, PhD)