When you check your email, post on Facebook, save something to the cloud or use your organization’s Wi-Fi, you can thank an information technology professional. The information technology (IT) field is dynamic, innovative and rapidly evolving as organizations seek solutions that help them pursue opportunities, create efficiencies and reduce information security threats.
IT professionals are in high demand, and median wages for the industry outpace those for the U.S. workforce as a whole. Below is an overview of what IT is, common issues in the field and professional opportunities. If you would like to explore IT further and pursue a career in the field, Florida Institute of Technology offers several specialized online information technology programs that can pave the way for you to achieve your professional aspirations.
Defining Information Technology
As a field, information technology focuses on the use of computers to store, manage and process data, generally in an organizational context. IT touches on every part of a company’s technology architecture, such as hardware, networks, connectivity, software, security, integration, design, communications, programming and contingency planning.
IT continuously grows in importance as organizations increasingly embrace technology to design and deliver the products and services that consumers want and need. IT supports all functions of companies, nonprofits and government agencies, as well as many aspects of our individual and collective experiences.
When all pieces of IT work together, an organization can easily and effectively create, store, analyze and exchange data across teams. It can also stave off threats from a variety of sources, including malicious players involved in cyberattacks, internal mistakes and discontinuation of service because of natural disasters. IT is the glue that holds modern, tech-driven organizations together.
The History of IT
While most people talk about the future of IT, it’s important to reflect on the field’s past and present. The history of IT is as old as the computer itself. ENIAC, one of the first programmable computers, required technicians to ensure its operation when it was first switched on in 1946. The first commercial mainframe computers, the IBM 701 and IBM 702, also required caretaking — these behemoth machines didn’t even ship with software or operating systems.
As computer technology developed, IT flourished. The advent of personal computers created a greater need for IT professionals in all kinds of organizations.
IT evolved quickly when internet pioneer Tim Berners-Lee developed the idea for a global hypertext system, which led to the World Wide Web. The advent of globally connected computers required heavy support from IT to develop, build, maintain and improve networks.
The progression of cloud computing continued to change the face of the IT industry. Instead of just looking after hardware, software and internal connectivity within an organization, IT professionals began to interface constantly with third-party cloud services providers and implement protocols that enable seamless communication between software and networks.
Recently, the evolution of generative AI and related AI advancements transformed the IT field, and continues to do so, in both beneficial and challenging ways. Integrating AI tools is now a core responsibility of IT professionals. Further, modern AI is capable of replacing certain IT roles, from computer programming positions to various data analysis jobs. IT professionals are pivoting to explore new roles overseeing, humanizing and creating guardrails for AI integration and output.
IT is an integral part of any organization. At larger companies, the leaders of IT functions such as chief information officers (CIOs) or chief technology officer (CTOs) occupy crucial roles in the C-suite, alongside the chief executive officer (CEO) and others.
Existing and Emerging Issues in Information Technology
There are a handful of emerging technologies and issues that can both concern and benefit today’s IT professionals. One of the largest is cybersecurity. As networks grow more complex, and the information possessed by organizations grows more valuable, malicious parties may look for ways to bring down a network, hold it for ransom or steal its data. Not all threats come from the outside: Employees, either accidentally or deliberately, can compromise networks and data as well.
Another emerging issue is the rise of the Internet of Things, or IoT. The IoT describes an increasingly networked world of devices, where even commonplace objects such as wearable devices and washing machines can share data across internet connections. IT professionals will need to make sure that these complex networks work efficiently, and that they are not vulnerable to attack.
As mentioned above, perhaps the most prominent emerging collection of issues in IT involves machine learning, large language models, generative AI and related technologies. Advancing AI tech is disrupting most everything from IT functions to software services to enterprise business models, not to mention content creation, communications, the environment, security and people’s everyday lives.
AI has the potential to transform and benefit society, creativity and quality of life, while also endangering the same, as well as jobs, privacy and more. IT professionals will play an integral role in tackling the many challenges involved in leveraging AI for what it can offer humanity while avoiding possible harm.
Common Roles in IT
IT is a very broad field, and job titles run the gamut from help desk analyst to CIO. Some of the most common positions include:
- Network and systems administrators: The network administrator’s job is to ensure that networks and systems are up and running smoothly, and that users have no problems accessing the websites and email they need.
- Computer programmers: Programmers are the proverbial “rock stars” of the IT world. They are responsible for designing and compiling the code that enables new web experiences, applications and emerging technologies like neural networks.
- Computer systems analysts: Systems analysts are some of the highest-ranked professionals in any IT function. They research, plan, design and implement the hardware and software solutions that achieve an organization’s goals. They also analyze existing computer systems and processes in order to design and implement system-wide improvements.
Gain IT Expertise With a Master’s Degree in Information Technology
High levels of demand and compensation for IT professionals make this an attractive field for career development. However, it is an extremely technical field, requiring advanced training.
Additionally, modern-era IT professionals collaborate closely with — and translate technical information and analysis for — colleagues and leadership in various departments and functions. This requires well-honed soft skills such as communication and teamwork, especially for IT professionals in management positions.
If you would like to advance a career in IT, you will need to develop a range of specialized expertise and competencies covering both technical and soft skills. Florida Tech’s online information technology master’s degree programs provide you with the in-depth study to accomplish this, as well as the opportunity to earn a customizable, generalist Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Technology or specialize in a concentration like cybersecurity or database administration. With the capabilities and qualifications you earn from a master’s degree in IT, you can expand your career horizons and income potential in an ever-expanding field.
Learn more about Florida Tech’s online information technology programs.
