By Suzana 
There’s a myth you have to have a degree to land a good IT job. However, the reality is that the IT arena is loaded with principally experience-based positions.
The Myth of Degree Requirement
There’s a myth you have to have a degree to land a good IT job. And that myth runs deep. But that myth is built on a foundation of false premises and misconceptions. Many qualified, experienced candidates don’t have a degree, yet they work in IT. Others have a college degree, but for IT positions they’re virtually unemployable.
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that about one-quarter (26%) of IT workers in the United States do not hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The vast majority of IT jobs involve data management, such as database administration, network administration, and infrastructure management. They tend to be more experienced-based positions where knowledge of the IT world is considered a great advantage.
Many of these took advantage of online certifications such as the ones at https://www.ascendeducation.com/ while holding on to their current employment.
The Skills You Need
Your IT career path is determined by your desired level of responsibility and your aptitude for how technology can enhance the business’s bottom line. Just as it’s true that your ability to read a contract doesn’t count for much if you’ve never worked a contract, it’s likewise true that a degree isn’t a requirement to do your own basic IT work.
Many IT professionals start self-taught and then gain education along the way. They usually seek this education when they are ready for a promotion or an adjacent career path that may be a better match for their skills and personal interests. They continue learning via certificate programs, a traditional degree, or taking courses in areas they wish to gain extra knowledge in.- Indeed Career Path
The IT landscape of 2021 presents more opportunities than ever to learn and develop on the job. On-the-job training is essential. An apprenticeship is a great start. Skills can be honed through collaboration and experimentation with different kinds of technology. “Training” is a misnomer because it implies more than just education. It’s also about mastery.
IT Jobs that Don’t Require a Degree
A recent search at Indeed shows the kind of well-paying IT positions the right person can expect.
- Help desk analyst (average salary: $46,059 per year)
- Computer programmer (average salary: $49,525 per year)
- IT manager (average salary: $88,959 per year)
- Cybersecurity specialist (average salary: $114,143 per year)
- DevOps engineer (average salary: $125,214 per year)
Conclusion
Today’s IT jobs are less and less about who has a degree and more about who has the right experience, the right skills, and who can communicate clearly. It’s time to check out an online training source and get the experience you need to land a quality IT job.
