What Can You Do with an Information Technology Degree?

An information technology degree prepares graduates for careers in network administration, cybersecurity, software development, cloud engineering, and IT leadership, whether you picture yourself troubleshooting hardware, defending a network, or eventually running an IT department. Keiser University builds its information technology programs from the associate level through the master’s level, so students can start broad and move toward the specialty that matches where they want their career to go. This guide walks through the most common information technology jobs, what each one involves day to day, and how Keiser’s IT programs prepare graduates to fill them.

What You Should Know Before You Start

Do You Need Programming Experience for an IT Degree?

No, most Keiser information technology programs require no prior coding experience. Early coursework builds foundational systems and networking knowledge before moving into more technical concepts, and paths like cybersecurity, networking, and IT management rely less on programming than software engineering does.

Which Information Technology Specialization Should You Start With?

Start with the AS in Information Technology. It gives you a broad foundation and introduces networking and cybersecurity, the field’s two most common entry points, before you commit to a bachelor’s path such as cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud engineering, computer information systems, IT management, management information systems, or information systems. Most students choose a direction only after their first few courses reveal what interests them most.

Do Employers Value Certifications or Degrees More?

Employers generally value a degree more than certifications alone, since a degree reflects a broader, more durable knowledge base rather than proof of one narrow skill. Certifications still matter, especially for validating individual technical competencies, but they carry the most weight when paired with a degree rather than standing on their own. Many employers now treat a degree as the baseline and certifications as a way to differentiate candidates further, particularly through providers like CompTIA and Cisco.

Table of Contents

1. What an Information Technology Degree Prepares You to Do
2. Entry-Level Information Technology Jobs to Start Your Career
3. Network Administrator and Computer Systems Support Careers
4. Cybersecurity Careers for Information Technology Graduates
5. Software Development, Cloud Engineering, and Emerging Technology Roles
6. How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Information Technology Careers
7. Moving Into IT Management and Technical Leadership
8. Choosing the Information Technology Specialization That Fits You
9. Why Choose Keiser University for Your Information Technology Degree
10. Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Careers
11. Nearly 50 Years of Career-Focused Education at Keiser University

What an Information Technology Degree Prepares You to Do

An information technology degree builds knowledge across computer systems, networks, hardware, and software rather than narrowing into one single skill early. Coursework covers how organizations configure and maintain servers, routers, and switches, how to monitor network performance, and how to troubleshoot common technical problems. Keiser’s information technology programs build these skills through hands-on coursework covering:

• Configuring and maintaining computer systems, servers, and network hardware.
• Monitoring wide area networks and local networks for performance and security issues.
• Supporting users through technical support and help desk channels.
• Understanding how information technology infrastructure supports an entire organization.

“What’s exciting is that students can gain hands-on, in-person experience, working directly with the equipment and exploring the different aspects of building and operating a machine. Online and hybrid students also have access to virtual machines, so they don’t need expensive hardware to complete their labs. Our labs are very robust. In Tallahassee, students are working with drones, learning how to solder and assemble motherboards, and exploring how operating systems work with AI.”

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University

Entry-Level Information Technology Jobs to Start Your Career

Many information technology graduates begin in support roles that build practical, cross-system experience before specializing. These entry points provide direct exposure to real hardware, active networks, and live technical troubleshooting.

Common Entry-Level Roles

• Help Desk Technician / Computer User Support Specialist: Troubleshoot hardware and software issues for employees or clients.
• Computer Network Support Specialist: Maintain network performance, monitor connections, and assist with system configurations.
• Junior Systems Administrator: Install, monitor, and maintain local servers and core network infrastructure.
• Specialized IT Systems Technician: Support operational tech infrastructure across healthcare systems, academic institutions, and government agencies.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median annual wages listed below. With roughly 50,500 annual job openings projected in computer support, these roles offer a clear pathway into the industry.

Career Acceleration: Many entry-level IT positions can offer tuition reimbursement, allowing employers to help fund your bachelor’s degree or advanced certifications as you work toward higher-paying specialties.

Network Administrator and Computer Systems Support Careers

Network administrators keep an organization’s computer systems connected and running, working full-time, and often more than 40 hours a week during outages or major system changes. Day-to-day work includes configuring routers and switches, monitoring wide area networks, and responding when a server or connection fails. Keiser’s BS in Information Technology covers this specialty in depth for students who want to build a career around networking and systems support.

• Installing and maintaining local area networks, wide area networks, and related hardware.
• Monitoring systems for outages, slowdowns, and security gaps.
• Providing technical support to employees who depend on the network daily.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, network and computer systems administrators earned a median annual wage of $96,800 in May 2024. The agency projects employment in this role to decline 4% from 2024 to 2034, even as it still expects about 14,300 openings a year on average as workers retire or move into other positions, a shift that reflects how many networking duties now fold into broader IT and cybersecurity roles.

Cybersecurity Careers for Information Technology Graduates

Cybersecurity has changed from a specialty that once ran mostly on certifications into a set of skills built directly into most IT roles. Today’s systems administrators routinely manage core security tasks once handled exclusively by dedicated cybersecurity teams.

Roles in Cybersecurity

• Information security analyst, protecting an organization’s networks and systems from attacks.
• Digital forensics and incident response, investigating breaches once they happen.
• Cyber law enforcement, a path some officers pursue after building experience in patrol-level law enforcement.
• Cybersecurity architecture and management roles for professionals with several years of experience.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics places the median annual wage for information security analysts at $124,910 in May 2024, with employment projected to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034, among the faster-growing categories within computer and information technology occupations.

Stephen Hume, Department Chair of Digital Forensic Cybersecurity at Keiser University, has watched this shift firsthand. Learn more about the Bachelor’s in Cyber Security at Keiser University.

“Modern IT roles now require built-in cybersecurity skills as standard practice, rather than a separate specialty. This demand is expanding rapidly beyond traditional tech settings into fields like local law enforcement, where departments across Florida actively recruit IT graduates to investigate cybercrime.” – Stephen Hume

Software Development, Cloud Engineering, and Emerging Technology Roles

Not every information technology career centers on maintaining someone else’s systems. Software developers design and build the applications organizations rely on, while cloud engineers manage infrastructure that keeps those applications running across remote servers rather than a single building. Keiser offers focused bachelor’s paths in Software Engineering and Cloud Engineering for students who want to build applications rather than maintain them.

• Software developer, designing, building, and testing applications.
• Cloud engineer, managing infrastructure across cloud platforms rather than physical servers.
• Web developer, building and maintaining websites and web-based applications.
• Database administrator, organizing and securing an organization’s data.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $133,080 for software developers as of May 2024, with employment across software development, quality assurance, and testing roles projected to grow 15% through 2034. Database administrators earned a median annual wage of $104,620 over the same period, and web developers earned a median annual wage of $90,930.

How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping Information Technology Careers

Artificial intelligence has moved from a niche specialty inside information technology into a tool woven through nearly every IT role, from cybersecurity to software development to network administration. A strong foundation in networking, security, or programming is what allows an IT professional to use AI tools well rather than depend on them blindly. Keiser’s AS in Artificial Intelligence program reflects this shift, alongside AI modules now built into other IT courses.

• AI-assisted coding tools now support software developers rather than replace the need for programming knowledge.
• Cybersecurity teams use AI to help detect threats faster across large networks.
• IT support roles increasingly rely on AI to sort and route routine requests, freeing staff for more complex problems.
• Employers expect AI literacy alongside traditional technical concepts like networking and systems administration.

Hume compares this moment to earlier shifts in technology, including the printing press, when a new tool only created real value once people learned to use it well.

“Just as the printing press sparked a need for universal reading skills, the rise of AI requires a new kind of literacy. The CAI 1000 course teaches students how to prompt, evaluate, and leverage AI successfully in their everyday lives and future careers.”

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University

Moving Into IT Management and Technical Leadership

Technical skills gets an IT professional in the door, but leadership roles ask for something different. IT managers and chief information officers spend much of their time defending budgets, explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and building the case for investments before a problem forces the issue. Keiser University prepares future leaders for these exact challenges through degree programs like the BS in Information Technology Management and the MS in Information Security.

Careers in IT Management and Leadership

• IT manager or computer and information systems manager, overseeing a department’s technology strategy.
• Chief information officer or chief technology officer, setting technology direction at the executive level.
• IT project manager, coordinating teams and resources across technical projects.
• Roles that require explaining technical concepts to boards, executives, and other non-technical stakeholders.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $171,200 for computer and information systems managers as of May 2024, with employment in that role projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

As a former chief information officer, Stephen Hume has stood in front of a board defending a technology budget against competing requests from finance, sales, and other departments. He points to a real example from his own career. A proposal for roughly $100,000 in virtual machines to support remote work was turned down in December 2019, only for its value to become obvious by March 2020, during the pandemic. That foresight combined with the ability to translate tech concepts into business outcomes is what separates true IT leaders from pure technicians.

“As a CIO, one of the hardest things I’ve seen people struggle with is sitting in front of a board and making the case for a budget. I teach my students how to work with the CFO, sales, marketing and other leaders when everyone is competing for the same resources. I experienced this firsthand in December 2019, when I recommended investing $100,000 to move to virtual machines. By March 2020, as COVID changed how organizations operated, it became clear how valuable that investment could have been, with everyone saying, ‘We should have built out those virtual terminals.’ That’s what leadership is about—having the foresight to see what’s coming, applying technology to real-world challenges and making the case for the resources needed to act. You need the technical experience, but you also have to be able to communicate with people.”

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University

Choosing the Information Technology Specialization That Fits You

Information technology and computer science overlap, but they lead toward different day-to-day work. Information technology programs tend to focus on managing, securing, and supporting the systems organizations already depend on, while computer science leans further into building new software and the theory behind it.

• Choose networking or systems administration if you like keeping existing infrastructure running smoothly.
• Choose cybersecurity if you want to focus on defending systems and investigating incidents.
• Choose software engineering or cloud engineering if you would rather build new applications and infrastructure.
• Choose IT management if you eventually want to lead a department rather than work hands-on with systems every day.

Hume describes Keiser’s AS in Information Technology as a launchpad rather than a fixed track.

“The AS in IT program allows students to explore the field and discover what areas interest them. Through courses covering foundational IT topics, students can identify potential career paths while building skills that align with workforce needs. The goal is to use the associate degree as a launchpad—helping students get their foot in the door, gain experience, and then build on that foundation with a BS in IT that is more closely aligned with their career goals.”

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University

Why Choose Keiser University for Your Information Technology Degree

Keiser University develops the information technology programs to match current workforce needs, moving from an associate degree into focused bachelor’s and graduate specializations. As a private, nonprofit university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Keiser offers more than 100 programs. Keiser University students benefit from:

• Small class sizes and personalized mentorship from faculty of industry experts.
• Hands-on learning through on-campus labs and externships that provide real-world experience.
• Flexible online, on-campus, and hybrid schedules, and one-class-at-a-time formats built for working adults.
• Keiser University is approved for veterans’ training with scholarship opportunities for qualified service members, veterans, and military dependents.
• Strong curriculum developed in partnership with industry professionals and updated regularly to reflect the current needs of Florida’s job market and national employers.

“I’ve used my GI Bill for all of my degrees, and as a retired Air Force member, I understand the process and the challenges veterans face. We’re very good at recognizing the skills veterans gained through their military experience and helping them apply that knowledge toward their degrees, allowing them to move through their programs more efficiently and reach the master’s level sooner. I’ve even seen one veteran go from the program to teaching, which is really rewarding to see.”

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University

Whether you are drawn to networking, cybersecurity, software development, cloud engineering, or IT management, Keiser University’s Information Technology programs prepare students for the career paths discussed in this guide. Prospective students interested in a more business-focused IT path can also browse Business programs by degree level, including associate, bachelor’s, and graduate degrees.

Ready to find an information technology degree that matches workforce needs?

Connect with a Keiser University admissions counselor to compare programs, discuss career outcomes, and find the IT path that fits your goals. Request Information

Frequently Asked Questions about Information Technology Careers

Is an information technology degree worth it?

Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $105,990 for computer and information technology occupations in May 2024, well above the median for all occupations nationwide. Beyond pay, an IT degree opens more career opportunities than a single certification typically does. Talk with an admissions counselor about how your goals line up with the return you can expect.

What is the difference between an information technology degree and a computer science degree?

Information technology programs focus on managing, securing, and supporting the systems and networks organizations already rely on. Computer science leans further into the theory behind computing and how software gets built from the ground up. Network administration, cybersecurity, and IT support fit better under information technology, while designing new software from scratch leans toward computer science. Many careers pull from both disciplines once the work gets underway.

Can you get an entry-level IT job without a degree?

Some entry-level roles, like help desk and basic technical support, hire candidates without a four-year degree, especially when paired with a certification. That path can work, but many mid-level and senior IT jobs list a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field as a baseline. A degree also tends to open more IT jobs to higher-paying specialties than certifications alone. Weigh your timeline, budget, and goals with an admissions counselor to choose the right starting point.

Do most IT jobs start in technical support roles?

Many do, but not all. Technical support and help desk roles remain a common entry point into IT jobs, exposing new graduates to real hardware, users, and problems from day one. Network administrators, for example, provide technical support, install and configure network hardware, and monitor performance to help ensure systems stay online. Other graduates move directly into software development, cybersecurity, or cloud roles without a support role job. An admissions counselor can help you map which line of work fits you best.

Do information technology careers require you to know how to code?

Not all of them. Network administration, IT support, cybersecurity, and IT management rely more on troubleshooting and communication than coding. Software development, cloud engineering, and some cybersecurity roles do require programming, since teams often need to implement new features or automate tasks, though most programs build these skills gradually. If coding intimidates you, an admissions counselor can point you toward IT jobs that lean less on programming.

What are the fastest growing IT jobs right now?

AI-related roles are growing fast. LinkedIn’s Jobs on the Rise 2026 report, highlighted by the World Economic Forum, names AI engineer, also called machine learning engineer, as the fastest-growing role in the country. These engineers design and implement machine learning models for enterprise applications. CompTIA’s State of the Tech Workforce 2026 report projects cybersecurity analysts and engineers to grow 346% (relative to the national average), data scientists and analysts 420%, and software developers and engineers 188% over the next decade. DevOps engineers, who automate CI/CD workflows, and cloud engineers, who manage multi-cloud and hybrid infrastructures, round out some of the newer IT jobs in demand. CompTIA also found more than 275,000 U.S. job postings referenced AI skills in January 2026, and employers increasingly expect problem-solving ability, SQL and Python literacy, and cloud platform familiarity alongside technical depth. These roles open new opportunities for graduates willing to advance their education.

Will artificial intelligence replace information technology jobs?

Not necessarily. AI is changing what IT professionals do more than it is replacing them. Nowadays, employers expect IT staff to use AI tools in areas such as cybersecurity, software development, and technical support, increasing the value of professionals who understand both AI and the systems it affects. In addition, a strong foundation in networking, security, or programming can also help IT professionals use AI more effectively and adapt as the technology evolves.

What certifications should you pursue alongside an information technology degree?

The right certification depends on your specialty. CompTIA credentials like A+, Network+, and Security+ pair well with general IT and networking paths, Cisco’s CCNA and CCNP suit network engineering, and ISC2 or similar credentials support cybersecurity-focused careers. IT Certifications help ensure your skills stay current and can strengthen a candidate’s profile most when paired with real projects. Ask your college advisor which certifications line up with your specialty.

Nearly 50 Years of Career-Focused Education at Keiser University

As Keiser University prepares to celebrate 50 years of empowering students through career-focused education, it continues a legacy of academic excellence and student success while helping shape the future of higher education. Since opening its doors in 1977, the university has remained committed to preparing graduates with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to succeed in today’s workforce. Keiser University has grown into one of Florida’s largest private, not-for-profit universities, serving approximately 20,000 students and a network of more than 100,000 alumni.

As a Keiser University student, you’ll benefit from:

• An institutionally SACSCOC-accredited university.
• Over 100 programs to choose from. Keiser’s degree programs are aligned with today’s workforce to provide the real-world experience employers look for.
• Flexible learning options, including on-campus, online, hybrid, and one-class-at-a-time formats.
• Personalized academic and career support, with dedicated faculty and career services.
• Financial aid, scholarships, and tuition guidance to help make education more accessible.
• Proud membership in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

Contributing Author

Stephen Hume, Department Chair, Digital Forensic Cybersecurity, Keiser University. Hume serves as a University Department Chair, a position he has held since May 2025. In his capacity, he works specifically as the Director of Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, and Information Technology. His academic responsibilities also include serving as a professor of digital forensics and cybersecurity. With extensive experience in information technology and cybersecurity, Hume has served as a Vice President and Information Technology Officer, leading cybersecurity policy, incident response, and governance, risk and compliance initiatives in accordance with FDIC requirements. Earlier in his career, he served as a Cybersecurity and Physical Security Specialist with the United States Air Force Elite Guard, supporting security operations across Europe and Africa. His assignments included protecting NATO, U.S. Air Force Europe Headquarters, senior military leadership, and NASA transatlantic missions. LinkedIn

Sources:

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/database-administrators.htm

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm