What is IT?

Information Technology (IT) is at the intersection between business and technology. IT has many job roles, but they all have in common: using technology to solve business problems. In this overview, you’ll learn more about what IT is, what it can do, who uses it, and how to learn it to determine how to add this skill to your professional toolbox.

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.

How Do You Get IT Tools? How Much Does it Cost?

IT tools will vary depending on your particular job role in IT. For example, the tools used by a Data Analyst will be different than the tools used in Cybersecurity. 

Some examples of standard IT tools include help desk software platforms, device management tools, cybersecurity tools, automation tools, and cloud software. Most of the tools needed for IT should be provided by your company.

What Are the Benefits of Learning IT?

IT professionals use technology to solve business problems. The need for innovative technological solutions has driven high demand for employees trained in IT skills. 

As information and technology drive more and more of our business, people trained in IT have excellent job prospects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that IT jobs are expected to grow by more than 15%, with around 500,000 IT jobs added each year. The demand for employees with IT skills is driven by factors such as the transition to remote work during COVID-19, the rise of streaming services, and digital transformation of the market. Because technology is used in every industry, IT skills are needed in every industry.

IT is a large job category and includes many fields you might not typically associate with IT, such as cybersecurity, data science, and software development. Some of the most popular IT job titles include IT Support Tech, Web Developer, Systems Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Software Engineer, Software Developer, Full Stack Developer, Mobile Developer, Web Administrator, User Experience (UX) Designer, Database Administrator, and IT Project Manager. 

IT can be a lucrative career path, with many job titles earning more than double the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the current median annual salary for someone in an IT role is around $100,000. IT professionals rank high on Glassdoor’s list of Top U.S. jobs, which considers average salary, job satisfaction, and job openings. 8 of the Top 10 US Jobs listed on Glassdoor are in IT: Enterprise Architect, Full Stack Developer, Data Scientist, DevOps Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Engineer, Software Engineer, and Java Developer. 

Read more about why you should learn IT.

IT Careers

IT skills are universal since they are needed in every industry that uses technology for business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that IT jobs will grow by around 15% by the decade's end. 

Some of the fastest-growing IT professions are growing faster than that and include Data Analyst, Full Stack Developer, Cloud Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Blockchain Engineer. For example, demand for cybersecurity professionals is expected to grow by around 30% for the next seven years. Cybersecurity has also had an unemployment rate of 0% for the past several years. These fast-growing IT roles are seeing high demand across industries. 

Jobs for Full Stack Developers are expected to grow around 22% by 2029. While you might think of these skills being used in the tech industry, digital transformation has made Full Stack Developer skills necessary in every industry. For example, streaming services, such as Spotify and Netflix, drive demand for software developers in the Entertainment Industry. Likewise, software developers are in high demand in the Finance Sector because financial institutions create digital account management tools and platforms, such as online banking and smartphone banking apps.

How to Learn IT

If you’re sure you want to learn IT skills, your next decision will be how you want to learn IT skills: live or on-demand. 

Live classes, whether online or in-person, are the most recommended option for people serious about becoming full-time IT professionals. The level of engagement and retainment from live interaction with your instructor is critical when planning to launch a new career. Live instruction also provides opportunities for mentorship and networking that you won’t receive in the on-demand learning format. 

Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me Tool is designed to help people find IT classes in their area, including live online IT classes. 

On-demand courses are self-paced courses that students can take online in their own time and at their own pace. On-demand courses are typically taught using pre-recorded video lessons. There are many online resources for learning IT, including free ones. On-demand courses are great for beginners who want a better understanding of IT basics. However, there is no guarantee that the material is up-to-date or relevant to your career goals. 

Noble Desktop offers free online IT seminars on its YouTube channel. For example, their free seminar, Intro to Full-Stack JavaScript, is a great way to explore an interest in full-stack development.

Read the full guide on how to learn IT.

A Brief History of IT

When the computer was first invented, people were skeptical that it would gain popularity in either businesses or homes. However, Harvard Business Review began predicting the use of computers in business in 1958 when the term “Information Technology” first appeared in one of their articles. The article speculated on some of the changes that the development of the computer would have on business. In particular, that upper and middle management would be the most transformed by IT. It also first clearly defined IT as a subset of business. 

As computers and information technology began to gain importance in the business world, many companies began creating IT departments. Early IT departments defined what was considered IT for several decades. Traditional IT roles included database administration, tech support, hardware and software issues, and business software.

The “dot com boom” of the 1990s took IT beyond the duties of an IT department. The larger IT field now includes job roles such as software development, computer systems architecture, and project management. Working in IT might mean working in an IT department or on a development team. Some everyday IT duties might include creating IT policies, network maintenance, process automation, research and implementation of new technologies, and information security. 

IT as a field has developed alongside computers. Some of the most critical developments in the history of IT include screens, the mouse, hard drives, and programming languages. 

The skills required for IT workers have also evolved along with the industry. For example, data has moved to the forefront of IT as it is increasingly used for making business forecasts and decisions. Other recently-developed IT roles include social media, artificial intelligence, mobile computing, cloud services, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Comparable Fields

IT is a huge field that includes many subcategories and roles. For example, an IT worker might specialize in technical support, data analysis, cybersecurity, or software development. 

A cybersecurity specialist focuses on creating and maintaining protective measures against hackers or security leaks. Often, their priorities include protecting a company's intellectual property and data. Cybersecurity specialists also create security and contingency plans for the company in case of breaches. This field has seen massive growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted much of our working lives online.

Data has been one of the biggest revolutions in IT. As more people create data footprints online, companies need people who can follow them. Harnessing and analyzing data for business decisions is a must-have for companies in the 21st century. For example, a Data Analyst in the healthcare industry assists in maintaining health records and appointment-making platforms. 

Software development falls under the umbrella of IT. Software Developers use programming languages, such as Java or Python, to develop new software applications or features. This can be for websites, mobile devices, gaming platforms, or desktop computers. 

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. 

Key Insights

• IT is a large job category with many roles, including cybersecurity, software development, and data analytics.
• IT started in the late 1950s when Harvard Business Review began speculating on the possible uses of computers in business.
• IT professionals might work in an IT department or a technical role within a company.
• You can receive comprehensive IT training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.