What Can You Do With an IT Management Degree? 6 Career Options to Consider

You’re more than ready to leave your dead-end job in the rearview mirror in route towards a career you love. Sure, it helped pay the bills and gave you some real-world experience, but you want to wake up in the morning and look forward to going to work.

Your analytical nature and love of technology has you thinking the information technology (IT) field is the perfect place to find employment. But with all of the precise skills and technical knowhow, you know you’d benefit from acquiring a formal education.

Could an IT Management Degree be the key to unlocking the career you’ve been dreaming of? What can you do with an IT Management Degree, anyway? And why is it one of the technology degrees in demand in today’s workforce? Keep reading and check out our video to find all the answers.

The growing demand for IT management professionals

Each year, IT staffing company Robert Half Technology (RHT) publishes a report summarizing the technology hiring trends across America. And year after year, the report highlights the demand for qualified IT professionals.

In a June 2017 report, RHT revealed that 63 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) find it somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals today. So how can you help fill the gap and become eligible for these vacancies? Earning an information technology (IT) management degree is a great start. Sometimes referred to as a management information systems degree, the knowledge and training provided in this multi-faceted program can equip you for not just one, but several coveted tech positions.

Watch this quick video to learn more about the IT management career opportunities that could await after graduating.

6 Jobs in information technology for degree holders

We used real-time job analysis software to examine more than 80,000 IT management degree jobs posted over the past year.¹ The data helped us identify the top six careers available for individuals with an IT management degree.

Get a taste of the job duties and earning potential associated with each of these jobs in information technology:

1. Software applications developer

Median annual salary (2016): $100,080²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 19% increase (much faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Designing or customizing computer applications software
• Modifying existing software to optimize operational efficiency or correct errors
• Evaluating software requirements and user needs to determine software feasibility
• Developing and employing software system testing and validation procedures

2. Information security analyst

Median annual salary (2016): $92,600²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 18% increase (much faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Monitoring networks for security breaches and investigating when one is detected
• Installing and maintaining software to protect sensitive information
• Simulating attacks to identify potential areas of vulnerability
• Developing security standards and best practices for the company

3. Computer systems analyst

Median annual salary (2016): $87,220²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 21% increase (much faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Analyzing data processing problems to improve computer systems
• Developing and testing system design procedures
• Consulting with management to recommend software
• Enhancing system compatibility so information can be shared

4. Database administrator

Median annual salary (2016): $84,950²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 11% increase (faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Testing and administering computer databases
• Coordinating changes and correcting errors to computer databases
• Applying security measures to safeguard information
• Indicating user access levels for each segment of database

5. Management analyst

Median annual salary (2016): $81,330²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 14% increase (much faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Advising managers on ways of increasing profitability for organizations
• Compiling information about a problem or procedure that needs improvement
• Conducting onsite observations and interviews to identify the equipment and personnel needed
• Creating reports and presentations to support recommendations to share with management

6. Computer network architect

Median annual salary (2016): $101,210²

Projected growth (2014-2024): 9% (faster than average)

Typical duties:

• Designing and implementing computer and information networks
• Adjusting network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands
• Performing network modeling, analysis and planning
• Coordinating installation of new equipment

Become a qualified IT professional

So what can you do with an information technology management degree? It turns out there’s a whole lot! You won’t have to worry about running into another dead end when there are so many possible roads to follow.

Check out our IT Management Degree page to learn more about how this could set you up for success in the one of the many jobs in information technology.

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¹ Burning-Glass.com (analysis of 82,705 IT management degree jobs, August 01, 2016 – July 31, 2017).
² Salary data represents national, averaged earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries and employment conditions in your area may vary.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in June 2013. It has since been updated to reflect information that is relevant to 2017.