Discover IT

We’ve compiled resources and information for students and educators to Discover IT so that they can…

• Be aware of all the opportunities that IT careers can provide
• Find IT careers that interest them
• Understand the education and experience necessary to be successful in IT
• Prepare for a successful career in Information Technology

Discovering IT careers is like opening the door to a world full of exciting possibilities. It’s like finding a treasure map that leads you to your dream job – you just need to explore and discover where it takes you!

Information Technology is about using computers to help people and businesses in practical ways. Computer Science is about the science and theory of computing.

• Information Technology (IT) is more about using computers to help people and businesses with their everyday tasks. Information Technology involves setting up and managing computer systems, making sure the systems work well, and keeping them safe and secure.
• Computer Science is like learning the secrets of how computers work, creating new programs and solving big problems with them. It’s about understanding the theory behind computing and making cool things happen with code.

It is always a good idea to figure out if your interests, passions and personality are a good fit for a career in IT.  IT is a diverse field with roles and functional areas that align with many different types of personalities and aptitudes.

To get started, consider the following entry points based on what you like to do:

Power Skills and Lifelong Learning

• Depending on the job, you need to understand the type and level of skills and competencies, knowledge, education, and experience that is required not only to enter but to succeed and thrive.
• While technical skills will vary from job to job, the kind of skills that are foundational across all IT jobs—most jobs actually—known as “power skills” or “soft skills” and are often those that lead to career success and advancement.

IMPORTANCE OF LIFELONG LEARNING

• IT is a rapidly evolving field with new technologies emerging all the time, leading to limitless opportunities.
• If you choose a career in information technology, you should expect to encounter change on a regular basis. All employers agree that the most successful IT workers are those who commit to lifelong learning. This means that today’s successful IT professionals continually upgrade their skills to keep pace with change.

IT Functional Areas

• An Information Technology (IT) functional area is like a specific job category within the field of IT. Think of it as a piece of a big puzzle that makes up the world of technology and computers. Each functional area has its own special focus and tasks that contribute to making sure technology works smoothly for businesses and organizations.
• For example, one functional area might be all about designing and creating websites or mobile apps. Another functional area could be responsible for keeping computer networks secure from cyber threats. There’s also a functional area that deals with managing and storing large amounts of data, like organizing information in a digital library.
• So, each functional area in IT is like a team of experts who work on specific tasks to keep technology running, protected, and useful for different purposes.

An Information Technology (IT) role is like a specific job or position that someone can have within the world of technology and computers. Think of it as a particular job title that describes what someone does to help with all things related to technology. Here are a few examples of IT Roles within each functional area.

Computing and Network Operations

Cybersecurity

Data Management

Software Design & Engineering

Solution Strategy, Design & Delivery

IT Leadership & Management

Every company is a technology company, no matter what product or service it provides. The companies that embrace this fact are the ones that shape our world. (Source: Forbes Magazine)

IT Professionals are in Demand

There are lots of chances to get a job in the exciting and expanding world of Information Technology (IT). Because lots of people need tech skills, and businesses are relying more on technology, IT jobs pay really well and offer great chances to move up in your career. It’s a field with a lot of potential to earn good money and grow professionally!

Here are some stats to show how many jobs will be available and how the IT industry is going to grow.

• In Northeast Ohio, From 2016 – 2019, the IT workforce grew 18% from approximately 39,500 to nearly 47,000 people.IT demand over the past 5 years averaged approximately 14,000 open positions, of which about 7,000 are for entry-level IT positions.
• The tech industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 11% growth rate from 2019 to 2029, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.*
• The number of software developer jobs, currently at over 1.4 million, is expected to grow by 22%*
• There are over 5,000 job postings for Software Developers each year. This represents 20% to 25% of all demand for IT professionals with median salaries from $57,000 to over $125,000, depending on the type of software being developed.
• Software developer opportunities are expected to continue to grow in Northeast Ohio by 10% through 2024.

IT Jobs posted 8/22 through 8/23 for Cleveland/Elyria area

Yes, there is high demand for entry-level IT workers.  In many cases, you can start working in IT right out of high school.

• Entry Level positions in NEO Represent 1/3 of all IT job postings
• For positions that “prefer” 2-year degrees or High School diplomas with relevant credentials –   Nearly 1/2 represent entry-level opportunities including,
  • • Computer Programmers​
    • Network and Computer Systems Administrators​
    • Computer Network Support Specialists​
    • Computer User Support Specialists​
    • Web Administrators​
    • UI/UX Designers
• Source: TeamNEO Fall 2022

Yes, IT jobs provide great earning potential.  Starting salaries range from $38,000 to $83,000.

And the more education and experience–the more you get paid!

Yes, there are lots of ways to get IT experience and credentials while you are still in high school.

• Internships
  • • Internships offer a chance to apply what you have been studying to a professional setting. Through an internship, you can learn how a company works, get your foot in the door, showcase your talent and gain inside experience that places you high on the candidate list. Many companies fill entry-level jobs with successful interns.
• Pre-Apprenticeships

Certifications

CISCO

CompTIA

GIAC

Google Analytics

Google Certiifications

IBM

Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)

International Information Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2

International Institute of Business Analysts

Microsoft

Oracle

Project Management Institute

RedHat

SANS

SAP

SAS

SPSS

The Open Group – TOGAF

udemy.com

VMWare

Yes, there are many ways to get credentials, experience and degrees to begin your IT career.

After High School

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow you to earn a paycheck while you learn a skill or trade. During an apprenticeship, an expert worker will train you on-the-job. You will also participate in classroom instruction that pertains to your career. Once you complete the program, you will receive a nationally recognized certificate.

Co-ops

Co-ops (Cooperative Education) combine classroom coursework with full-time paid employment so you can gain relevant work experience. You will earn school credit at the end of a successful co-op, which will be part of your overall degree or certificate program. With a positive work experience, you can become a strong candidate for hire.

Military

U.S. Navy

U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Army

U.S. Air Force

Bootcamps

Urban City Codes 

Urban City Codes provides culturally focused community-based learning solutions that empower under-represented, under-resourced individuals, groups, and businesses to develop and be competitive in a technology-driven economy. 

3096 Mayfield Rd.
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

We Can Code It 

We Can Code IT is committed to providing diverse students the most advanced software development instruction and job support leading you to a new career defined by you in software […]

5500 S Marginal Road
Cleveland, OH 44103

Tri-C Cleveland Codes 

Cleveland Codes is a full time, 16-week IT Fast Track Program. This fully immersive approach to learning, provides students with the skills necessary to pursue a career in web application […]

3409 Woodland Ave
Cleveland, OH 44115

Tech Elevator

Tech Elevator coding bootcamp students learn full-stack development through high-quality instruction, an industry-relevant curriculum, and career coaching that drives our top-ranked job placement results. 

7100 Euclid Ave #140
Cleveland, OH 44103

• Work, Earn and Live in NEO
  • While software development, network engineering, and computer user support roles continue to dominate demand for skills, IT is ever-changing and creating new roles. For example, over the past few years, Cybersecurity Specialists, Artificial Intelligence Engineers, and Data Scientists have become the top emerging IT careers in Northeast Ohio. Source: Team NEO Aligning Opportunities in Northeast Ohio Report
    • TEAM NEO/Talent Alliance

Who’s hiring IT in NEO?

Here are some of the companies in Northeast Ohio that regularly hire IT professionals

Companies

Windstream​

Westfield Insurance

University Hospitals​

Steris Corporation

Signet Jewelers

Sherwin Williams​

Rockwell Automation​

Quest Diagnostics​

Progressive​

Precision Systems Design​

PNC

Park Place Technologies

Nestle

MRI International​

Medical Mutual of Ohio​

Main Sail​

Lubrizol

Lincoln Electric​

Key Bank​

Joann

JM Smucker Company

Hyland Software

Hyland

Goodyear

First Energy

Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland

Elevance Health​

Eaton Corporation

Deloitte

CTG​

Cognizant

Cleveland Clinic​

CGI​

Cerner​

Case Western Reserve University​

ASGN​

Applied Industrial Technologies

AmTrust Financial Services

American Greetings​

Akron Children’s Hospital

Accenture

Right here on our website

Research IT Jobs

You can search for employment, internships and apprenticeship opportunities here.