Three Steps to Help You Launch Your IT Career

Three Steps to Help You Launch Your Career in IT.

Cloud computing specialist, edge networking professional, cybersecurity expert, games programmer, help desk technician...

Opportunities abound within the IT industry, but that variety can make it difficult to know how best to launch your IT career.

Do you want to work with computer networks or develop apps? Should you opt for a computer science degree or learn a programming language? Should you take any IT position to get started or sit on your resume until you spot an opening in your preferred role?

Here are three steps that will help you answer those questions:

Step 1: Clarify your career goals

If you could fast forward into the future and work a day in your ideal career, what would that look like?

For some people, it would be working with a small team designing the latest cutting edge tech to advance the capabilities of the Internet of Things. For others, it would be working solo, from home, refining the mechanics of the newest computer games. Some would relish pushing corporate networks to the limit as part of a busy cyber security center.

While some IT roles attract huge salaries, make sure you think beyond money because, as with any career, you will need a genuine interest in your work to rise to the top and stay the course.

Once you've identified one or more potential career paths, find out what experience and skills you would need to have a chance of securing the roles you want. Then, it's simply a case of working backwards and placing these as "milestones" along the way; these will become your intermediate goals.

Some of these goals will need to be broken down further. For example, some IT certifications may need you to have passed a prerequisite course.

Step 2: Expand your knowledge and skills base

Look around at current employment opportunities and decide which, if any, would be most likely to provide you with the experience and skills you need to advance your career. Even roles that seem to have little connection to your future plans may be worth considering.

For example, an entry level position as a help desk technician or assistant cybersecurity analyst might seem to have little to do with a career in app development. But, as IT industry advocate and certification provider CompTIA explains, "Having networking and cybersecurity knowledge are a must, even if typical job duties don't include hands-on work with networks and keeping systems secure."

If there really are no suitable roles on the market, make sure you check jobs boards regularly and set up automated alerts where possible. The IT industry is dynamic, and new roles are popping up all the time. In the meantime, consider studying towards one of the milestone certifications you need. If you are short on funds, look around for free or low- cost options (e.g., MOOCs, online certificates, etc.). Make sure that the certification is industry-recognized before committing to it.

Step 3: Commit to your entry level role

Don't fall into the trap of treating your entry level positions merely as rungs on a ladder leading elsewhere. These positions are where you gain valuable hands-on experience, demonstrate your competence and earn the respect of your colleagues and superiors.

By committing yourself to your employer's goals, you will gather the evidence and references needed for future progression, either internal or external. Real-world experience is a great way to hone and develop your soft skills such as team-working, creative thinking and communication. These will all contribute to increasing your value as an IT professional.

While working in your entry level position, make sure you take advantage of any relevant internal training. You can also use your salary to help fund external courses or certifications that you will need to meet your skills milestones.

Of course, in order to secure any IT role, you will need to ensure your resume is in top shape. Take a look at our dedicated Resume blog posts for advice on this.

The team at Myticas hopes to help you with your next career jump in the IT sector.