Information technology career pathways

5 information technology career pathways to start on in high school

Have you ever thought of yourself as a superhero?

Similar to many superheroes, you’re born with the innate ability to do certain things well. You may not be able to fly or have superhuman strength, but your natural talents—or aptitudes—are unique to you and just as special.

Once you discover your aptitudes, you can better plan your education pathway and become the superhero of your own career in fields such as information technology, where you create solutions, protect business data, and maintain system support for all.

Given the rise of technology and its fundamental component of business and everyday life, careers in information technology are on the upward climb. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information technology careers are projected to grow 15 percent from 2021 to 2031. If you’re a high school student who wants to get a head start on your career in information technology, you can take career and technical education (CTE) courses to gain experience and build your credentials.

5 fast-growing information technology careers to consider now

One of the biggest draws of a career in technology is versatility, high pay, remote work options, and the idea that new roles are always being created. Whether you want to work for a small firm or a multinational company, all of the careers listed below require a mix of hard and soft skills. These can be leveraged to maximize your success and feel proud of your contributions.

Career 1 – web administrator

A web administrator, also called a webmaster, is important because they ensure a website works appropriately, fixes problems, and manages security measures like firewalls or encryption.

According to O*NET OnLine, a career exploration and job analysis tool sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, the work of a web administrator regularly includes:

Collaborating with others to resolve information technology issues
Monitoring the security of digital information
Documenting operational procedures
Maintaining contingency plans for disaster recovery
Creating electronic data backup to prevent loss of information

What is the outlook for web administrators?

The future is prosperous for web administrators. According to CareerOneStop, there are currently 408,200 people employed in this position. O*NET OnLine, which uses Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 wage and 2021-2031 employment projects data, provides these insights:

Median wage for web administrators: $95,270 annually
Number of job openings: 34,700 positions
Growth: 8-10 percent, faster than the average growth

Do you have the skills to be a web administrator?

Being interested in a career as a web administrator is one thing, but how do you know if this path is right for you? Here’s where YouScience® Brightpath comes in. Brightpath is backed by 50 years of research and helps students to uncover their aptitudes, interests, and best-fit careers through a series of brain games. The best part? Aptitudes are solidified by the age of 14, so Brightpath shows students that just because they haven’t heard of a career field, that doesn’t mean they won’t excel at it. Once students know what they are good at, their results will align them with more than 600 real-world in-demand career opportunities and provide certifications along the way. In 2022, YouScience released the State of the Future U.S. Workforce, Student Ability Report, to identify the largest skill gaps in students. This gap stems from a lack of exposure, rather than a lack of talent because all students are extremely capable. Specifically, in the world of computers and technology, aptitudes were 2.3x higher than the interest shown. This statistic supports the idea that many students will excel in this field, they just need exposure to potential careers. YouScience® Aptitude & Career Discovery results for web administrators

Concerned that your aptitude won’t align with that of a web administrator? Don’t worry, your feelings are valid. The best part of Aptitude & Career Discovery is that you can find many other areas in the field where you can excel. Once you know your aptitudes, you can create a career pathway you will enjoy and feel competent in. Discovery also shows you your interests. If you are interested in being a web administrator, you will also value a work environment that is:

Conventional– where work is supported by procedures and regulations to organize data
Enterprising– involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or advising people in political or legal situations
Investigative– heavy involvement in researching non-living objects and forms of impairment

Discovery shows how interests will align with each job.

What education is required?

To be a web administrator, you’ll want to graduate high school and pursue your bachelor’s degree in either Information Systems, Computer Science, or a similar field.

To get a head start in these areas, you can use YouScience® Industry Certifications to build stackable credentials in information technology, such as:

Computer Programming I – learn the fundamentals of programming language using C++, C#, Java, Python, or Javascript
Business Webpage Design I – learn the principles and design of a website and advanced internet skills
Computer Technology I – learn the foundations of key application software, basic computing fundamentals, and how to use technology as an ethical tool.
Linux Fundamentals – learn to perform maintenance tasks, restore shutdowns, and reboot systems

Career 2 – information security analyst

Hate hackers? Then a career as an information security analyst may be for you. In this role, you will develop and oversee the implementation of security measures to protect computer networks and information. Besides keeping the bad guys out, an information security analyst’s day consists of:

Working with computers to program functions, write software, and process information
Monitoring data to recognize patterns to identify changes in circumstances
Using relevant data and personal judgment to identify if processes are in compliance with the law

Job outlook for information security analysts

Now more than ever, have we seen a need for skilled professionals who can protect our information. Given the influx of technical pursuits from remote work and e-commerce, the job outlook for cybersecurity is very bright. It’s expected to grow by 35 percent from 2021 to 2031. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2021 median pay for an information security analyst was $102,600. What aptitudes are needed to be an information security analyst?

Timeframe Orientation– ability to think about future goals and make a plan to achieve them
Work Approach – ability to think about tasks at hand and successfully accomplish them
Inductive reasoning – ability to quickly combine pieces of information to form conclusions.

You will also find yourself engaged in this role if you are interested in:

Conventional– where work is supported by procedures and regulations to organize data
Investigative – where there is heavy involvement in researching non-living objects and forms of impairment
Realistic – where you may design, build, or repair equipment, materials, or structures

What education is required?

To be an information security analyst, you must graduate high school and pursue a bachelor’s degree. However, with the competitiveness of the job, master’s level work in information assurance/information security is increasingly common. Graduate-level academic certificates are also well received. High school students can get the following certifications as well:

Business Communication I – Learn to effectively communicate in training sessions as well as communicate problems.
Cloud Computing I – Explore cloud computing services, applications, technologies, and use cases.
Computer Programming I – Learn to design, code, and test programs.
Network Fundamentals I – Learn how to configure, maintain and troubleshoot a network.

Career 3 – computer network architect

If you have ever saved anything to the cloud, you can thank a computer network architect. In this role, you are responsible for designing and building data communication networks. Whether setting up a small network in the office or crafting large networks to sustain cloud computing from around the globe, you are responsible for ensuring these networks run appropriately.

O*NET OnLine Lists the top 5 work activities for a computer network architect as:

Testing computer system operations to ensure proper functionality
Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details
Coordinate project activities with other personnel or departments
Design integrated computer systems
Identify information technology project resource requirements

Job growth forecast for computer network architects

The growth forecast for a computer network architect is bright. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook keeps up with the average growth standard of 4 percent from 2021 to 2031. During this time, 7,500 jobs will become available, with California and Colorado having the highest employment rates. In 2021, the median annual income for a computer network architect was $120,520.

What natural abilities do computer network architects possess?

People with the following natural aptitudes will find great success if they have:

Sequential Reasoning– ability to create and follow established routines
Timeframe Orientation– ability to think about future goals and make a plan to achieve them
Numerical Reasoning– ability to identify patterns in data and analyze it
Problem sensitivity– Knowing when something is wrong or about to go wrong.
Written expression-The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing to others can understand.

You will also be interested in types of work that let you be:

Investigative– where there is heavy involvement in researching non-living objects and forms of impairment
Realistic– where you may design, build, or repair equipment, materials, or structures
Conventional– where work is supported by procedures and regulations to organize data

What education is required?

To become a computer network architect, you must graduate high school and get your four-year bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology, engineering, or a related field

Depending on the level of job within this field, a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA), or Master’s in Information Systems (MIS), or a Master’s of Information Systems Management (MSIS) could be required.

Students who want to get a head start can get Industry Certifications in the following areas:

Database Development – learn the fundamentals of databases and prove their knowledge through relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
Engineering Principles I – explore different engineering disciplines to develop a better understanding of how math and science are applied to engineering
Computer Programming I – learn the fundamentals of computer programming using problem-solving skills
Computer Programming II – build upon your skills learned in CP I and be introduced to dynamic data structures, utilization of classes, and applications of mathematical concepts
Algorithms and Data Structures– build upon skills learned in CP 1 and 2, you’ll learn the ideas, tools, structure, syntax, libraries and object-oriented design techniques for developing data structures

Career 4 – document management specialist

If you love organization and technology, this is your career. As a document management specialist, you’ll implement and administer company-wide document management systems to ensure data is secured and accessible. According to O*NET OnLine, the top activities of a document management specialist are:

Working with computers to program, set up functions, and process information
Evaluating information to compare compliance with legal and company standards
Communicating with supervisors and peers using face-to-face or digital communication
Getting information by observing or receiving information from relevant sources
Documenting and recording information in written and electronic form

Job growth and forecast for document management specialists

According to O*NET OnLine, the job forecast is expected to grow at a pace that’s faster than average, between 8-10 percent from 2021 to 2031. Given this rate, 34,700 job positions are expected to open. As of 2021, the median pay for this position is $95,270 annually.What aptitudes apply to document management specialists?

Vocabulary – ability to effectively communicate ideas and share information
Timeframe Orientation – ability to think about future goals and make a plan to achieve them
Idea Generation – ability to think of multiple ways to solve a problem

What education is required?

To become a document management specialist, you must graduate from high school and pursue your four-year bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, business management, or a related field. To get started on the right path, you can get the following certifications from YouScience if your school uses Brightpath and/or Industry Certifications:

Database Development: learn the fundamentals of databases and prove their knowledge through relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
Business Office Specialist: gain computer competency through word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and electronic presentation software.
Desktop Publishing: create, format, illustrate, design, edit/reverse, and print publications to improve efficiency.

Career 5 – information technology project manager

Do you like working with people and computers? Then this could be the career for you. You’ll manage a team, their deadlines, and the project’s budget in this position. Due to the many hats you wear, O*NET OnLine created a list of titles such as cloud pProduct director, cybersecurity project manager, data center product director, or IT managers.

According to CareersOneStop, a day in the life of an IT project manager may contain the following activities:

Manage IT projects and monitor system performance
Collaborate with team members to resolve technical issues
Collect data about customer needs
Develop guidelines for system implementation

Job growth and forecast for IT project managers

Between 2021 and 2031, the job outlook is bright, with a 16 percent increase in job openings. The median salary of an IT Project Manager is $95,270 per year.

If you have any of the following abilities, you would be a great fit for this career choice:

Numerical Reasoning– ability to identify patterns in data and analyze it
Work Approach– ability to think about tasks at hand and successfully accomplish them
Timeframe Orientation– ability to think about future goals and make a plan to achieve them

What education is required?

To become an IT project manager, you must graduate from high school and get a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field in engineering technologies. Given this management position, getting your Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) or Master’s of Information Systems Management (MSIS) is encouraged.

To start on your path to becoming an IT project manager, YouScience offers the following certificates to give you an upper hand:

Cloud Computing I – Explore cloud computing services, applications, technologies, and use cases
Database Development – learn the fundamentals of database and prove their knowledge through relational databases and structured query language (SQL)
Computer Programming I – discover the fundamentals of programming language using C++, C#, Java, Python or Javascript
Computer Programing II (Java) – build on concepts from Computer Programming I and become experts in programming languages

Additional Credentials for any career in information technology

No matter your career path, the certifications listed below will help you in any field. Business management and administration:

Business Mathematics and Personal Finance– Having money means nothing if you can’t appropriately manage it, so it’s beneficial to understand it early on
Business Law– Knowing the rules and regulations of business will help build your personal brand and save your company time and money

Hospitality & tourism

Business Leadership I – 97.5 percent of employers say leadership is important in any industry, so Industry Certifications can help you get a head start
Customer Service – knowing how to talk to others and effectively communicate solutions will help you get that next promotion

All career pathways

21st Century Success Skills – gives you tangible proof of your employability skills, which include critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration skills, and more.

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