Which IT Training Format Is Right for Me?

Information Technology (IT) describes the large category of job roles that use technology to solve business problems. Jobs in IT are in high demand and lucrative: the average salary in IT is around $100,000. When comparing types of IT training, there are many factors to consider. Everyone learns differently, and choosing the right training is critical to your experience.

Keep reading to learn more about the different formats of IT training, how they compare, and how to determine which is best for you.

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.

Training Formats for IT

Choosing the right IT training format may seem intimidating initially. You can choose live instruction, in-person or online, or self-directed study, which typically relies on pre-recorded video lessons. Choosing the right IT training format will largely depend on your goals and current experience level.

In-Person IT Training

In-person training has been the most traditional way to learn job skills. Learning IT in person has advantages for networking and mentoring opportunities; for those new to IT, these can be invaluable tools in starting a new career. One possible drawback of in-person training is that there might not be great options in your area, especially if you don’t live in a major tech hub. You might have to settle for inadequate training if you choose a local school that lacks recognition. 

You'll have more in-person IT training options if you’re in a major city or a tech hub. Many tech schools offer perks to in-person students. For example, if you enroll in an in-person course with Noble Desktop, you’ll have access to full-time support, state-of-the-art computer labs, student lounge access for networking, and free coffee and high-speed WiFi. 

You can use Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me Tool to explore in-person IT training options in your area. 

Live Online IT Training

The ongoing demand for employees with IT skills has created a lot of training options. In-person courses could be limited or less rigorous in your area based on where you live. The good news is that even if your area lacks in-person courses, you can still learn IT skills to launch a new career. 

Live online classes are an excellent way to learn IT skills because they work just like an in-person class. You can ask questions and interact with an expert instructor in real-time. You can get feedback on your work or collaborate with classmates using screen-sharing software. One major perk of live online learning is that you can train for a new career from anywhere. Another perk is that learning live online reduces commute time for people with already busy schedules. 

Noble Desktop offers live online IT courses taught by expert instructors. Their time-tested curriculum and highly-rated, unique teaching approach guarantee that you learn the job skills you need. An expert instructor teaches students a “micro-lecture” and then guides them through a hands-on, real-world project to apply the skill they just learned. Graduates can “retake” any course for up to one year to continue developing their skills or refresh their knowledge. 

Other live online IT training options include Eleven Fifty Academy, Flatiron School, and Practical Programming. Eleven Fifty Academy offers both full-time and part-time options for IT training.

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Free online resources are a great way to explore your interests if you want to test out a few different IT career paths. You can learn some basics without making a significant financial or time commitment. 

For example, Glassdoor has ranked Full Stack Developer in the Top 3 jobs in the U.S. Noble Desktop’s free Intro to Full-Stack JavaScript seminar can give you insight into whether it's a career path you’d like to pursue more seriously. You’ll also get a sample of Noble Desktop’s unique hands-on, project-based instruction method and if a live online bootcamp is the right choice. 

Coursera offers free online IT courses, such as the popular Crash Course in Data Science by Johns Hopkins University. Universities often have great free introductory resources, such as MIT OpenCourseWare, which you can use to familiarize yourself with basic IT concepts. 

Google offers a free 7-day trial of its Career Certificates programs. You could dip your toes into Google IT Support to explore your interest. Stanford University offers free online courses via its Stanford Center for Continuing Development website. Some relevant topics include Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL, Digital Transformation, Greedy Algorithms, Introduction to the Internet of Things, and Mining Massive Data. 

Read about more free IT videos and online tutorials.

On-Demand Classes

On-demand IT training includes paid and free online resources that you can use to learn at your own pace. Many on-demand courses are delivered through pre-recorded video lessons. Providers of on-demand courses vary and can include tech schools, colleges and universities, and individuals. You’ll want to ensure that any on-demand training you use to learn comes from a trusted source and has been frequently updated.

On-demand courses typically cost less than instructor-led courses. Since they’re online and available to use anytime, they’re often more accessible. One great thing about pre-recorded video lessons is that you can pause for interruptions or rewind if you want to go over the material again. One drawback is that on-demand classes lack the engagement and opportunity for networking and mentorship of live classes. You’re also more likely to encounter out-of-date material or learn skills irrelevant to your career goals. 

Comparison of IT Training Formats

IT jobs require you to use technical knowledge to solve business problems. It’s a great time to work in IT, with an average salary of nearly $100,000 annually and jobs expected to grow by over 15% by the end of the decade. 

The right learning method will depend on your personal goals. For example, suppose you’d like to add IT skills to your current role. In that case, you’ll need less intensive training than someone who plans to pursue an IT field, such as Cybersecurity or Full Stack Developer, more professionally. 

Live in-person or online classes are the most recommended training format for people who want to become IT professionals. With a live course, you are guaranteed up-to-date knowledge and engaging instruction. There are more opportunities for networking and mentorship, which are critical in the job search process. A huge perk of training live online is that you can get world-class, personalized instruction no matter where you are. 

On-demand courses are more recommended for people who want to add job skills or explore an interest. On-demand courses usually cost less and can fit into your schedule more flexibly. This can be great for learning the basics, but you’ll want guided instruction if you plan to use your IT skills to start a new career.

Is it Possible to Teach Yourself IT?

Free resources are a great way to explore an interest in IT and IT subfields. They can also be useful for gaining knowledge of the basics or figuring out the right IT career path for you. While it is great to be self-taught when starting your journey, you’ll want to seek structured training from a reputable source, such as live instruction from Noble Desktop.

How to Decide the Best Way to Learn IT

Deciding the best way to learn IT depends on your goals and what you plan to use the skills for. If you’re launching a new career in IT, you’ll need more rigorous training than simply adding a few skills to your current role. 

If you’re a beginner or simply exploring an interest in IT, then introductory courses and free online resources are great options. You can learn the basics of IT without a huge time or financial commitment. If you want professional IT skills that can get you hired, you’ll want to consider a bootcamp or certificate program. These are recommended because they offer comprehensive, guided training by an expert instructor. You can have confidence that you’re learning the right skills to get you hired. 

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.