Top Tips to Advance Your IT Career in 2022

Your information and technology career can cover a wide range of roles and occur in almost every field out there. It’s flexible, it’s well-paid, and it allows you to really focus on where and what you find most interesting. 

The sector is also growing. Between 2020 and 2030, there is an estimated 13% growth, with an estimated 667,600 new jobs being created in the United States and similar statistics coming out of other countries. 

The median wage is also higher in this sector than many others, with the median annual wage in 2020 resting at $91,250. In comparison, the average median annual wage of all occupations is just $41,950. Similar wages can be found in other countries like Canada, where an IT specialist is $70,629 for an IT specialist, and that wage average rises to six figures for managers. 

Top IT Careers in 2022 

There are many excellent careers in IT to consider for yourself: 

#1. Computer and Information Research Scientist 

This role requires you to design software and programming for both new technology and existing tools. The 2020 median salary for this role in the United States is $126,830. Typically employers will require at minimum a master’s degree to apply. 

#2. Computer Network Architect 

Networks are what make the world go-round. As a network architect, you will be in charge of designing, building, and maintaining data communication networks. The networks you are in charge of could be within a company or organization (including the government), or you may work with local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs). You need at minimum a bachelor’s degree to get started, and the median wage is $116,780. 

#3. Computer Programmer 

Computer programmers work in many fields and for various different employers. How much you make will naturally depend on the work and the funds available. Working for a large and reputable financial company would fetch a far higher salary than working for an upstart tech company or a medium-sized company. On average, however, you will need at minimum programming courses or a BSc to get started and can expect a median wage of $89,190. Programmers can develop new environments for personal and professional use using complex coding languages and processes. These nationally accredited programming courses cover several topics related to web and desktop applications so you can pursue other programming careers.

#4. Computer Systems Analyst 

Every business has its own system. Whether that system works well or not is the job of the computer systems analyst. They work to analyze and then improve the internal systems used by businesses. Larger companies, especially if they have more than one location and particularly if those locations are found in multiple companies, benefit the most from having their own computer systems analysts. You need at minimum a BSc, and the median wage for computer systems analysts is $93,730. 

#5. Database Administrators and Architects 

Working with data becomes more difficult every single year. The overall digital footprint of humanity continues to grow exponentially, and the data used and maintained by a single business can quickly get out of hand. Keeping all that data organized and creating a system to better use that data is the job of a database administrator and architect. You need at minimum a BSc and can expect to earn around $98,860 as the median wage. 

Most careers in computer science fetch you more than $70,000, with multiple options allowing you to earn six-figure salaries. 

Though many of these roles require a minimum of a BSc in computer science or similar degree, that does not mean there isn’t a point in furthering your education. You have two options in terms of advancement. The first is to completely outpace a formal education and take up training and advancement in your own time. This works for those who are naturally gifted in this field, but even then it’s important to know your limits and how to overcome them. 

For those who aren’t naturally gifted, formal education is the best way to stand out and build your career. A master in computer science can be just the ticket to help you stand out and build a better foundation to build for your career. Not only will you further your experience and qualifications in essential programming languages, but you will also learn more about how to apply them in some of the biggest ticket fields today. Big Data, machine learning, data mining, and more are all topics that you can learn and develop with precision. 

How to Stand Out 

A master’s can really help you improve your skillset and also polish your resume to help you stand out in your field. That does not mean that you can rest on your masters alone. Work experience and projects are still going to play a huge role in your ability to find and earn the best jobs that you come across. 

Standing out as a computer scientist or programmer means one of two things. One, you specialize in a particular project and become the go-to expert. To become an expert, you’ll not only want to rely on projects and working experience but also on becoming a thought leader. If you become the go-to for younger computer specialists to learn from online or through print journals, then you will be able to negotiate higher salaries and have a better pick of projects in the future. 

The second option is to become something of a jack-of-all-trades. Many companies are looking for an all-in-one expert that can manage their IT and software development needs. This doesn’t mean that you need to do the hands-on work, but instead, you need to be able to lead and manage teams and bring everyone up to a higher standard of work. 

Building up your reputation can be done in a variety of ways. Getting your opinions and ideas published, particularly in widely circulated publications in IT and technology, is a great place to start. You can work on doing this at any stage in your career and immediately start using it to increase your reputation and, in turn, your salary. 

You will also want to work on many different projects, so aim to change jobs every so often once you have become settled in your role and have learned all you can from it. Negotiate your salaries higher at every stage, and you will find you can start earning that six-figure salary sooner and command better results whenever you job hunt.