With so much competition and the ability to self-teach online, you may wonder whether a tech degree is worth it. It’s true that finding employment in the field can be a challenge, but it is ten times more difficult to stand out among a sea of applicants if you don’t have solid credentials. Because technology is becoming so intrinsic to modern life, the demand for well-educated candidates has increased tenfold in the last few years. Rather than simply looking at an applicant’s ability to perform a set of skills, employers are interested in investing in their new hires. They want to identify emerging individuals who are passionate enough about their field to dedicate the years it takes to earn a degree.
You may be still in high school exploring potential degrees, or perhaps you’re ready to go back to school for a career change. Transitioning to tech from an existing job is actually much easier than you may think, especially if you have previous college credits that you can transfer into a new program. To help you get the most out of your studies, here are five technology degrees that are worth pursuing in 2021.
Database Administration
The future will run on big data, so there will be no shortage of job opportunities for qualified administrators. As a data admin specialist, you will be responsible for overseeing the performance of databases for corporations, government agencies and other networks. They are directly in charge of the security of a database, so they must be well-versed in data encryption and have an impeccable eye for detail.
Video Game Programming
Getting a career in game development isn’t easy, but you can drastically boost your chances by earning a bachelor’s degree in design and programming. From 3D modeling to engine programming, you can choose a specialization that suits your talents and tastes. For anyone who enjoys project management, creativity and, of course, gaming, this is one tech field that offers plenty of opportunity for career development. You may even decide to go independent and launch your own title someday.
Computer Science
Computer science degrees give you the foundation necessary to branch off into a wide variety of specializations. Cloud engineers, which are some of the top-earning tech professionals, tend to earn their bachelor’s in computer science, then go on to pursue additional certifications or advanced degrees. If you want to maximize the value of your computer science degree for the future, then you might choose an emerging field like artificial intelligence and machine learning. A degree in computer science from a high-ranking school may be expensive, but you can offset the costs and advance your skills by borrowing a personal student loan from a private lender.
Information Technology Project Management
IT professionals tend to be jacks of all trade, but they can choose specializations as well. An IT project manager oversees all of a company’s IT department. They supervise employees, delegate tasks, and prioritize responsibilities that affect the entire company. In some cases, they even collaborate with finance and provide tips for budget planning for the business as tech needs can be quite costly.
In an IT project management program, you will learn about all the core information technology skills as well as the essentials of technology project management. Many people don’t realize that the approach to IT project management can differ significantly from other types. You’ll learn how to speak the language and develop new products, devise solutions and ensure an IT department meets all of its goals.
Network and Systems Administration
Another high-earning career in tech in 2021 is network and/or systems administrator. Similar to data admins, these professionals are responsible for keeping all the connections that power a company’s computer network operational. They make sure an organization’s systems are installed properly and optimized for efficiency. They also perform routine performance analyses and troubleshoot any potential errors that could affect the organization or end-user. Network and systems administration usually falls under a specialization of a general computer science degree. You can go on to pursue a master’s in another field, like business or software development, to further shape your career path.
