Becoming an IT director is all about climbing the corporate ladder. Not only do you need to work your way up in the field of IT, you also need to get an education as you gain experience. If your goal is to become the leader of the IT department rather than just a technician who answers to the leader, you will need to buckle down and enroll in school. The very first step to becoming an IT director is applying to a postsecondary degree program.
Once you earn an undergraduate level degree, you will need to find a position in IT and then enroll in a graduate-level program so that you can become and expert and a leader in the making. If you are wondering what you should major in to improve your chances of becoming an IT director, learn which degree will prepare you best so that you have the knowledge and practical skills that you need to be an asset.
Where to Start When You Pursue Your Degree
If you know what your ultimate career goal is, you are 10 steps ahead of the average prospective student. Most students have only a faint idea of what they want to do, and this can cause a delay in the process of earning their degree. Because you know exactly what you want to do, you can enroll in the perfect formal training program and earn the credentials in the appropriate discipline to attract employers. You can take more than one path to become an IT Director, but the most direct path to becoming a director is attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science or Information Science.
After you spend 3 to 4 years earning your Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, you can either start gaining the employment experience that you need to compete or you can earn your Master’s degree from a graduate school with a reputable IT management program. The Bachelor’s degree may help you satisfy the bare minimum requirements if you are applying for director positions with a relatively small company, but a graduate degree will open doors to much larger opportunities.
Do You Need Credentials to Become an IT Director?
In addition to your Computer Science degree, you will need 5 to 10 years of experience in the IT field. If you want to gain a leg up on the competition, you may also want to test to earn your certifications for specific systems. Not all companies require certification, but a Microsoft, CompTIA, Cisco, or SQL Server certification could be the difference between getting the position or losing it. If you seek the professional credentials, you can demonstrate your mastery and show that you have a specialization.
The very first step to accomplishing your goals is to earn your degree. While there are several options, earning a B.S. in Computer Science and then advancing to earn a M.S. in Information Systems Management will help you gain the problem-solving skills you will need to demonstrate to land the position. Not only do you need to be a critical thinker and an expert in IT, you also need to be a great communicator. Keep all of these details in mind as you select your class load, and start earning the credits you need to graduate.
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