When preparing for a job within the competitive and rewarding IT sector, candidates should make sure they take control of their own education and training to land the best roles. Writing for American Chronicle, IT consultant Jide Awe advises that prospective employees should first decide what area of information technology is most interesting to them, taking into account that roles in the industry vary considerably. For example, a computer programmer may work mostly behind-the-scenes, while a network administrator will have a more people-centric role and an information systems manager should have a knack for business. Mr Awe recommends that prospective IT employees be proactive with their training, supplementing formal education with outside reading, setting up a home lab and taking part in work experience. Nearly 80 per cent of computer programmers have at least an associate's degree, according to the Department of Labor (DOL), with almost half holding a bachelor's degree. The most recent DOL statistics indicate that the median yearly earnings of computer programmers are $65,510, though this could vary based on experience, location and employer.  |