Information Technology Management (ITM) is the field dedicated to supporting business data needs, addressing complex problems, and enabling innovation using technology. The fast-paced IT field is growing as organizations of all sizes adopt a global perspective and increasingly conduct business electronically with customers, suppliers, and partners, anywhere in the world. Students interested in IT need twenty-first century skills, including strong communication skills, understanding of business functions, and specialization in one or more technical areas.
ITM graduates step into roles such as Business Analyst to identify the information needs of organizational users, Application Developers who integrate these needs using appropriate and current technology. Other graduates become Database Administrators to capture and manage the huge amounts of data an organization generates or collects, or move into Network Management roles to manage the networks and systems which store or move the data, or become Security Specialists to protect organizational systems and data.
In this rapidly-changing field, the key to success is the ability to keep pace with the changing technologies that will evolve throughout your career, and understand how IT can be used to support organizational goals and drive innovation. Continuing education and a building a professional network of associates are keys to success.
ITM majors complete a set of common core classes and select an emphasis track in either development or network management. A series of business core classes provide a background in the functional areas of management, marketing, finance, accountancy and economics.
ITM Jobs and Outlook
ITM majors fill various positions in business or government. Examples include:
- Business Analyst
- Database Administrator
- System/Process Analyst
- Web Developer
- Network Manager or Administrator
- Information Security Specialist
Salaries
Salaries in the ITM field vary with responsibilities and experience. According to the ComputerWorld Salary Survey for 2009, the salary for a Network Manager with less than 10 years of experience in the Mountain States averages $63,494, with a national median salary of $78,117, rising to $84,501 with experience. The median salary plus benefits in the Mountain States for a Database Administrator is $91,125.
Outlook for Computer Network Professions
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, “Overall employment of computer network, systems, and database administrators is projected to increase by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. In addition, this occupation will add 286,600 new jobs over that period.”
Registrar’s Office Links:
Advising:
- Freshmen and Sophomores: Advising through COBE Student Services.
- Juniors and Seniors: Contact the IT-SCM Department at itscm@boisestate.edu for an advisor assignment.