By: The Capella Editorial Team with Bradly Roh, PhD, DBA, Interim Dean and Vice President, School of Business, Technology and Healthcare Administration
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Good communication, a love of technology and the ability to think analytically are strengths that can become powerful assets in an information technology (IT) career path. It’s an ever-changing field with various opportunities.
From software development to data analysis and artificial intelligence (AI), IT roles span many specialties and career paths. With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to begin or what education may be needed for different roles. Degree requirements, timelines and learning formats vary widely, especially for students balancing work and other responsibilities.
Find out how to start on your path toward a career in IT, the types of roles you can explore and what the educational roadmap might look like for students and busy professionals.
When considering IT, you need clarity, commitment and a plan. Here are five steps to help you confidently pursue this career path.
Information technology covers a wide range of specialties, including networks, cybersecurity, software development, cloud systems, AI, data management and IT support. Each area focuses on different types of work, tools and responsibilities.
Before choosing a path, it helps to understand what these roles actually involve day to day.
Some positions focus on building or maintaining systems, while others emphasize analysis, planning or coordination.
For example, IT project management centers on timelines, resources and cross-team collaboration, while software development focuses on designing and maintaining applications.
Exploring the IT landscape first helps you narrow your options and avoid choosing a path based only on what’s currently in demand. Technology evolves quickly, and roles change over time. A career path aligned with your interests and work preferences is more likely to stay motivating as the field shifts.
Many people move into IT from nontechnical backgrounds. What often makes that transition possible is transferable skills developed in previous roles.
These skills may include:
Start by mapping your existing experience to IT-related responsibilities. For example, customer service experience can support roles in IT support or systems administration, while experience in finance, operations or research can translate well into data analysis or business-focused IT roles. You’ve also probably used AI to assist with work tasks before.
Online degree programs can help you build technical knowledge on top of these strengths.
Competency-based IT programs from Capella University are designed to fill specific skill gaps while allowing you to balance work and life priorities. You’ll also learn from scholar-practitioner faculty who bring real-world IT experience into the classroom.
Ready to start your journey in IT? Explore our online information technology degrees.
Education pathways in IT are flexible, and common options include:
Capella’s online IT degree programs are designed to help you build career-relevant knowledge through structured coursework and applied learning. Given the prevalence of AI in IT, most IT programs at Capella have incorporated the technology, so you learn the most current skills and knowledge.
Melissa Zgola, EdD, program director for IT and Computer Science at Capella, notes, “The world is changing fast because of AI and this is exactly why now is a powerful time to enter IT. This field needs IT professionals who understand how to build, use and lead artificial intelligence-centered environments to help drive the next wave of innovation.
At Capella University, we don’t treat AI as a threat. We teach it as a skill. Our programs integrate AI across the curriculum so students learn to use it responsibly, solve problems faster and deliver real-world results.”
Select IT programs are offered in the FlexPath learning format. This option lets you move at your own pace while demonstrating career-relevant IT competencies. Other programs are available in the GuidedPath learning format, which offers a more structured approach with weekly deadlines and 24/7 access to your courseroom.
Apart from your education, recognized IT certifications may help validate your technical skills to potential employers. Five possible certification options are:
Depending on your knowledge and practical experience, you could also explore certifications like CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), AWS Solutions Architect or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
Like in most other professions, experience is vital in IT. Employers are likely to value hands-on skills, even from small projects.
Here are some tips to help you gain experience:
No matter how you gain industry experience, document everything you learn in an online portfolio or on GitHub. A portfolio or repository helps you prove your technical expertise and showcase your soft skills and thinking style to employers.
Formal or informal initial experience can also help you decide if this career path is right for you or if you want to pivot to a different area.
Once you land your first role, the real growth begins. Ways to progress professionally include:
By following these steps, you can establish a strong foundation in IT and confidently pursue working in IT.
Here’s an overview of five common IT career paths that you could consider.
Software developers and engineers build and maintain the digital applications, tools and systems people use every day.
Key responsibilities include:
You need to learn programming languages, like Python, Java, C# or JavaScript. A common starting point is enrolling in a bachelor’s degree in software development. At Capella, our Software Development in an Internet of Things (IoT) Space specialization also teaches you how to build AI data tools and applications.
Here are some roles you can explore in this field:
Roles and requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some positions may require additional experience, certifications or credentials beyond a degree.
Cybersecurity professionals protect organizations from digital threats. Their work ensures that sensitive information, like financial records, customer data and operational systems, remains secure.
Key responsibilities include:
An education in cybersecurity may begin with a bachelor’s degree in IT, with a specialization in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity or related fields to learn the core technical concepts and skills.
You can also develop practical skills through virtual labs, Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges or open-source security projects.
Certifications are important for credibility in cybersecurity. Beginners can start with CompTIA Security+ and then choose certifications related to their career path. For example, there’s CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification for security analysis, vulnerability assessment and incident response, or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) for ethical hacking.
If you’re pursuing advanced roles, a master’s degree in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence may help you reach your goals.
Some roles you can explore in this field include:
Because cybersecurity roles differ widely by organization and responsibility level, some positions may require prior experience, certifications or advanced credentials.
Since cybersecurity is a rapidly changing field, you can use resources like the Cybersecurity Center for IT Professionals to stay informed as your skills grow.
Cloud computing involves designing, maintaining and optimizing cloud-based systems. Organizations use these systems to store data, deploy applications and run critical services.
As companies modernize their infrastructure, cloud specialists are essential to building solutions that support global operations and digital transformation.
Key responsibilities of cloud computing specialists include:
Education for cloud computing can begin with a bachelor’s degree in information technology, with a specialization in Network and Cloud Computing or a bachelor’s in computer science. Both of these programs at Capella include theory and hands-on practice with AI and ML, so you learn how to use the latest technologies.
Certifications may be beneficial in cloud roles, as employers may rely on them to verify platform expertise. Beginners can start with AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals or Google Cloud Digital Leader.
Roles you can explore in this field include:
These are just examples. Cloud roles and qualifications vary by platform and employer, and some positions may call for certifications or hands-on experience in addition to a degree.
Data analysts and database administrators help organizations make informed decisions by turning raw data into actionable insights and reports. They use data analysis to identify trends, solve problems and support strategic initiatives.
Key responsibilities include:
Education for data analytics typically includes a bachelor’s degree in computer science or IT, with a data analytics specialization. You can also learn through certificate programs or specialized bootcamps.
Capella also offers a master’s degree in analytics to help you progress further in your IT and analytics skills. Both the bachelor’s and master’s programs for analytics at Capella also teach you how to leverage AI to solve complex IT problems.
A few roles you could explore in data analytics include:
These are just a few of the available roles. Career paths in data analytics depend on factors such as industry, tools used and prior experience, and may involve additional credentials beyond formal education.
IT project managers oversee technology initiatives from planning to execution. They coordinate teams, manage timelines, address risks and ensure projects meet goals.
Key responsibilities for IT project managers include:
To become a project manager in IT, you can start with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT, business administration, project management or related fields. Programs that include AI in the coursework, like the ones offered by Capella University, can help you build skills relevant to the modern IT industry.
There are several job titles you can explore in IT project management:
You may also need project management certifications, like CompTIA Project+, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), PMP or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), to build credibility and explore senior or specialist roles.
When researching, you may come across additional roles that spark your interest. These are only examples. Project management roles can have different requirements depending on scope and industry and may involve certifications or experience beyond a degree program.
Starting a career in IT is accessible with multiple entry points and various career paths to match your interests.
The key to success in IT is to build a strong foundation, stay curious and continue sharpening your skills through hands-on experience and ongoing education.
Capella University offers online IT and computer science programs where you learn from IT experts with real-world experience. Our AI-integrated and skills-based learning courses are designed for busy adults, so you can start building your dream future while still balancing work and life.
Explore Capella’s online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs today.
An IT career involves working with technology to build, manage, secure and optimize systems, data, software or digital infrastructure.
IT offers many career paths, including software development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, cloud engineering, data analysis and IT project management. You can explore IT jobs across industries like healthcare, finance, government and technology.
Most people begin by learning foundational skills through degree programs and certifications, then pursue IT jobs such as helpdesk technician or IT computer support specialist.
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