How Difficult is it to Learn IT?

Are you curious about learning IT but worried it might be too hard? Of course, the difficulty that comes with learning a new skill is somewhat subjective. The challenges of learning IT depends on factors like familiarity with technology, coding, and business. People with technical and business skills will have a headstart when learning IT.

No matter your current schedule or comfort level with IT, plenty of tools are available to help make learning easier than you might think.

What is IT?

IT stands for Information Technology. IT is an umbrella term for many job roles that combine business with technology. People who work in IT use computers and technology to solve business problems, make business decisions, and keep businesses running smoothly. 

Many companies have IT departments that manage computers, networks, software applications, and other technical aspects of running a successful business. The IT department could include providing technical support to employees, server maintenance, network security, software development, data analytics, or maintaining hardware and network infrastructure. 

People often think of IT as a support role. While support is a role within IT, IT has many subcategories beyond support, including data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, DevOps, and blockchain. IT professionals might ensure the network is secure, analyze data to help make business decisions, or develop a new software product. 

Jobs requiring IT skills are in high demand, with growth expected to continue at around 15% until 2029. IT can also be a lucrative career path: the average salary for IT professionals is around $100,000. Some IT subfields, such as cybersecurity, have a 0% unemployment rate. Training in IT could lead to an exciting career with an excellent salary.

Read more about what IT is and why you should learn it.

What Can You Do with IT?

IT describes jobs that combine technology with business, which makes it a huge field with no single job role or learning path. You’ll need verifiable technical training to become an IT professional. However, the size of IT adds a lot of flexibility to its career options and increases the number of opportunities. 

Being knowledgeable about technology is critical for working in IT. You’ll need a combination of intuitive and learned tech skills to excel, especially if you choose a role that requires troubleshooting, such as a support role or cybersecurity. People often underestimate the soft skills necessary in IT jobs, such as logical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, or critical-thinking skills.

IT skills are also highly prized because they improve your work process. Some of the most in-demand IT skills include cybersecurity, cloud computing, data analytics and data science, networking, software development, machine learning, and project management. Skills in these areas can get you hired in almost any industry.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning IT?

One of the most challenging parts of learning IT is that it’s such a huge field, which could be intimidating. You might still be trying to decide which IT field is right for you. Taking advantage of free online resources is a great way to explore your interest in IT and better understand which IT career path might be right for you. 

As an example, Noble Desktop offers free seminars on IT topics, such as Web Design & Development and Advanced Microsoft Excel Tips. Free introductory resources such as these can test your interest in various IT fields. They can also be helpful for learning the basics or preparing for more structured training. 

IT is a skill-based field, meaning your practical skills are more valued than formal education. You’ll need strong skills in your chosen field to work professionally in IT. Make sure to do some research on the skills required in your field. For example, a Data Analyst will need a different skill set than a Cybersecurity Specialist. 

Bootcamps are highly recommended for people who want to launch a new career in a hot IT path. Bootcamps streamline the training process because they offer comprehensive, immersive training in less time than traditional courses. For example, you could train to become a Data Analyst by taking Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate in just a few months. 

How Does Learning IT Compare to Other Fields?

IT is a vast field with many job roles. One of the most significant advantages of learning IT is that the skills apply to every industry, and the job roles are nearly limitless. If you’re still unsure which IT career path you’d like to pursue, you might be interested in exploring similar options. Some fields distinct from IT but have overlapping skills include data science, computer science, and software engineering.

Data analytics is an IT career path similar to data science. Both Data Analysts and Data Scientists work with data. However, they do different things with it. A Data Analyst analyzes data to help identify trends and help businesses make good decisions. Data Scientists design new ways of working with data, such as predictive modeling and algorithms. 

Computer science is another overlapping field with IT. The primary difference between computer science and IT is that IT is more business-focused, while computer science is more focused on computers and technology. Computer science is also more abstract, and IT is more practical.

IT vs. Computer Science

Information Technology (IT) and Computer Science often need clarification. This happens because they are overlapping but separate fields. IT combines technology and business, while computer science focuses just on technology.

 In computer science, the computer and technology take center stage. Someone who works in computer science is responsible for designing and building the technology. Someone who works in IT maintains the technology and helps businesses use it for greater success. 

Having a four-year degree in computer science is much more common than IT. IT is a skills-based field, meaning that your practical skills are more important than your formal education in the hiring process. 

Learn IT with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

IT is a large job field with many career paths and nearly limitless opportunities. There are many paths to working in IT. However, there are recommended training paths based on your goals. 

To become an IT professional, you’ll need verifiable job skills. Many tech and coding schools offer IT training, but you’ll want to choose one that focuses on technology and business since IT demands skills in both. Bootcamps are highly recommended for launching a new career in IT or pivoting to a different job role because they offer comprehensive technical training in the least amount of time. 

Many bootcamps offer a live online training format which is an excellent option if there are no in-person IT courses in your area. Because the class is live, it works like an in-person class. You can ask questions and interact with your instructor and classmates in real-time. You can collaborate with classmates or receive direct feedback on your work using screen-sharing software. One advantage of live online classes is that they give you the interaction of an in-person classroom without any commute time. You can train in IT skills from your home or from anywhere.

Noble Desktop is a coding, business, and design school that offers live online bootcamps and certificate programs in some of IT’s hottest career paths, including data analytics, full stack development, and cybersecurity. All their classes have guaranteed small class sizes, so you get extra guidance from an expert instructor. Noble Desktop uses a unique approach in all its classes: instructors teach a “micro-lecture” and immediately guide students through applying the concept they’ve just learned. They also have a “learn the skills guarantee,” which includes a “free retake” option in which graduates can retake a course for free to continue developing their skills. 

Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate provides comprehensive training in data analysis, data visualization, business intelligence, and databases. Data Analysts use data to help businesses make good decisions. Students are guided through real-world, hands-on projects to develop skills in using Excel for data analysis, working with Python, SQL and database operations, data interpretation, business forecasting, machine learning, and using Tableau for data visualization. Graduates earn a New York State Licensed Certificate in Data Analytics which is shareable on Linkedin. 

You can earn a New York State Licensed Certificate in Cybersecurity by taking Noble Desktop’s Cybersecurity Bootcamp. Students work with an expert instructor to develop skills in network security tools, evaluating network security using penetration testing, Security Operations Center (SOC) principles and practices, understanding attackers, security monitoring and logging techniques, information gathering techniques, and understanding application vulnerabilities. 

Full Stack Developer is listed as a Top 3 Job in the US by Glassdoor. Noble Desktop’s Full Stack Web Development Certificate provides comprehensive training for becoming a Full Stack Developer who creates both the front end (what you see) and the back end (how it runs) of websites and applications. Students learn to create layouts using HTML and CSS, program in JavaScript, create web applications using Node.js, use MongoDB to work with databases, API development using Express.js, work with Git to track changes, and use JavaScript libraries.