With technology flourishing and global connectivity at our fingertips, information technology (IT) is an ever-expanding field. The need for development and integration of cloud-based products, data communication networks, and customer relationship management software means IT jobs are booming. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2023 to 2033, about twice as fast as the average for all occupations. The tremendous speed of advancement has led to a shortage of trained IT professionals.
Industry Outlook
The digital world is revolutionizing the IT industry. According to CompTIA, software — such as AI algorithms, new app development, and data analytics — is defining the next wave of progress. “Between highly specialized software applications and a greater degree of automation, there is potential to completely reinvent workflow in a digital economy. The challenge, as with so many other technology implementations, will be in shifting learned behavior among the workforce” (CompTIA IT Industry Outlook report, 2025).
IT Job Descriptions and Responsibilities
As IT continues its rapid change, businesses and organizations need professionals with the right skills and training to help them meet their needs and lead technology initiatives and security measures. The skill set for an IT professional is ever-expanding and quite technical. Basic skills needed to perform IT job responsibilities include technical support and communication skills, and the desire to troubleshoot and learn new things. More specialized skills include programming, database creation and maintenance, knowledge networks, and web development and analytics. Careers such as software developers, systems engineers, cybersecurity analysts, network architects, and IT support specialists recorded the largest gains in employment (CompTIA, 2025).
Earning an IT degree can equip you with the knowledge and skill set for an assortment of positions. Here is a list of a few entry-level, mid-level, and senior-level IT job descriptions:
- IT Project Manager: Some responsibilities include establishing and communicating job expectations, planning and monitoring progress, and recommending IT strategies and procedures.
- Information Security Analyst: A role necessary to all organizations — responsibilities include identifying and averting cyber threats to an organization’s infrastructure and recommending and monitoring security measures.
- Associate Systems Designer: This role differs based on the industry, but some duties may be to design, implement, install, and test hardware and software systems and provide design skills for networking, operating, or gaming systems.
- Network Manager: This varied role leads a staff for technical support, as well as installing, updating, and maintaining computer networks.
- Application Programmer: Builds, tests, and maintains multifaceted applications and software, and analyzes output to improve performance.
U.S. News & World Report ranked IT Manager as second in their list of the best 100 jobs and first in the best technology jobs for 2024. IT managers oversee organization upgrades to information technology systems, protect office networks from hackers and malware, and ensure system stability. This career ranked well due to its work schedule flexibility, average stress level, and opportunities for position and salary advancements.
Earning Your IT Degree through Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus offers many information technology programs. In addition to a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, and certificate program, World Campus offers specialized programs in security and risk analysis, enterprise architecture, and homeland security. The range of options and courses offered allows a student to choose their own specialized plan of study. In the IT industry, continuous learning is imperative to career advancement.
David Strausser wanted a convenient way to expand his career options in the technology field.
“Living in Mexico and regularly crossing the international border to work in San Diego, I needed flexibility, and that’s what Penn State World Campus provided. I chose to study IST [information sciences and technology] for the business aspects of gaining a working knowledge of how networks operate, and how cloud computing and databases function. It actually got me my current position.”
Why Choose Penn State World Campus?
Penn State World Campus has successful alumni all over the globe working in the IT field.
“Now I have a great foundation for nearly any IT job if I choose to change fields or look for a civilian-sector position,” said Chase Kelly, Navy veteran and Lockheed Martin employee. “The combination of my military electronics background and the IST degree from Penn State World Campus allows me to move forward in my current career or take a leap in a new field.”
IT is a diverse career field with numerous paths to choose from. The Penn State World Campus programs, which are ranked among the top bachelor’s degrees and graduate computer information technology degrees by U.S. News & World Report, can provide you with the knowledge you need to succeed in all possible career choices in the IT field.
