Take These 3 Steps to Begin Your Career in IT Management

As technology continues to grow and evolve on a daily basis, so does the demand for a wide variety of professional roles within the tech industry. These include IT managers, who have seen a 15% growth in demand annually in the last few years. If you're looking for a career that offers great job security and the chance to work on innovative, ever-evolving projects, you may want to learn more about what it takes to start your path in IT management. Here's a look at what you can expect from the role and some of the steps it will take to land your first IT management position from the knowledgeable team at Tulane SoPA.

What Are an IT Manager's Responsibilities?

As the job title implies, IT managers are primarily tasked with managing information technology systems, which come with a diverse range of responsibilities. Focusing on increasing productivity and solving complex hardware and software problems, IT managers help organizations stay on top of the ever-changing nature of technology. This includes leading IT teams, planning upgrades to existing hardware and software, negotiating with vendors to purchase new products or update current ones, and ensuring that an organization's systems are protected against hackers, malware, and other cybersecurity threats.

A Bachelor's Degree Is a Great First Step

Becoming an IT manager requires a solid understanding of computer hardware and software, databases, telecommunications, and data warehouses, as well as how to troubleshoot, fix, and improve these systems. Earning a bachelor's in Information Technology should provide you with the knowledge and skills to work with all of these technologies, as well as with cybersecurity tools, website and application development, and cloud engineering. Moving up to a management role will likely require a few years of experience working in other areas of IT first, but a bachelor's degree is a solid foundation upon which you can build your career and improve your skills.

In addition to teaching all of these essential areas, the Tulane School of Professional Advancement's Information Technology bachelor's degree program emphasizes teaching students how to collaborate, communicate effectively, think critically, and solve complex IT problems, all important skills for becoming an IT manager. Students can also choose to pursue one of the following concentrations:

• Integrated Application Development
• Product and Program Support
• Enterprise Systems and Cloud
• Systems and Network Administration
• Cybersecurity

Consider Adding a Master's Degree

You may have significant IT skills and feel ready to take on a management position, but before you start pursuing such a career path, you should ensure that you have both the academic knowledge and the practical know-how to have a competitive edge. An MS in IT Management is a great place to start, as it can help you to leverage your skills and rise to a leadership role.

Tulane SoPA's master's degree in IT Management consists of advanced courses in Information Technology and multiple internships, mentorships, and partnerships to give students real-world experience and the chance to work together as a team to solve problems. We also offer graduate certificates that can be earned by completing four online courses. Graduate certificate credits can be used toward an MS in Information Technology and are available in the following subjects:

• Cyber Defense
• Cyber Leadership
• Data Science and Cloud

Sharpening Your Skill Set

In addition to having the relevant technical degrees and educational background, becoming an IT manager will likely require that you have experience leading a team, working toward the goals of a business, and using your skills to analyze data, manage projects, and meet budgets, which are all important skills for succeeding in any business scenario. It's possible to gain skills and experience in these areas by working in a variety of roles in tech-related businesses, but you can also take courses that give you an inside edge into how these business responsibilities should be performed for maximum productivity and success. You may want to consider pursuing a minor in a business-related subject that can give you a competitive edge when it comes time to start applying for IT and IT management positions.

Degree Options at Tulane SoPA

Having a solid educational foundation is often the best first step toward a rewarding career path. Our BS in Information Technology and our MS in IT Management are among the wide range of bachelor's degree, master's degree, and certificate programs available at the Tulane School of Professional Advancement. Most of our courses of study are available online, which enables you to learn on your own time, even if you already have a career and other responsibilities. Contact us to request more information about our program options, or start your application today.