How to Become an IT Specialist?
Are you thinking of becoming an IT Specialist or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become an IT Specialist, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new IT Specialist job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become an It Specialist
If you're considering starting your It Specialist career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional It Specialist and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your It Specialist career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your It Specialist career path, a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. An It Specialist internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become an It Specialist?
61% of people working as an It Specialist earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be an It Specialist?
- Operating Systems
- Attention To Detail
- Responses
- Security Clearance
- Reviews
- Sensitive
- Adaptability
- Problem Solving
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an It Specialist, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the It Specialist field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen It Specialist specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as an It Specialist
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level It Specialist. In general, you can become an It Specialist after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of It Specialist role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified solutions associate mcsa certification.4
Advance in Your It Specialist Career
Following entry-level, there are several It Specialist career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level It Specialist to progress to the senior it specialist position. Each advanced It Specialist position requires approximately 5 years of experience at each level to advance in your It Specialist career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your It Specialist career path.5
Continued Education for Your It Specialist Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your It Specialist career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in computer science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $116,256 compared to $41,302 for those without that type of degree.IT Specialist Career Path
Information Technology Specialist
5 - 7Years of Experience
$69K - $113K /yrMost Likely Range
19% advanced to
Senior Information Technology Specialist
2 - 4Years of Experience
$118K - $175K /yrMost Likely Range
6% advanced to
Lead Information Technology Specialist
5 - 7Years of Experience
$122K - $195K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
IT Specialist Career Path
It Specialist I
Information Technology Specialist
Senior Information Technology Specialist
Lead Information Technology Specialist
Vice President of Information Technology
$50K
$120K
$190K
$260K
$400K
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Related Careers in the Information Technology Industry
Interested in other Information Technology careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with IT Specialist skills. Discover some of the most common IT Specialist career transitions, along with skills overlap.