Digital world demands new IT workforce

[BrandPoint]

(BPT) - It's no secret that technology has changed how we live. From tablets and streaming video, to big data analytics and network security, we live in a digital world that impacts us every minute of every day. However, technology not only improves the way we live and work in the present, but also offers great opportunity for the future.

The rush of technology advances and innovations brings a wave of career opportunities to those with the right training, whether your objective is to advance in your current profession or explore a new one within the many business sectors under the realm of IT. Going back to school for an IT degree to increase your skill set could be the right path for you. Why?

* The workforce needs IT pros with up-to-date skills. You may think that years of past experience are the key to success for IT professionals, but that's not necessarily true. More than nine-in-10 - 93 percent - of U.S. IT and business executives report that there is a vast difference between existing and desired skills among their staffs, according to CompTIA, a non-profit trade association representing the IT industry.

* The IT world needs well-rounded tech professionals. IT challenges that employers face today demand more than just technical know-how, and newer IT degree programs are designed with this in mind. For instance, NEASC-accredited Mount Washington College, a part of the Kaplan Higher Education Group, offers a new online IT degree curriculum that addresses emerging areas such as ethical, legal and social issues in IT administration, cloud computing, and security and forensics. This online program also integrates gamification elements, including motivational and academic badges, which help students demonstrate the mastery of competencies aligning with industry certifications that can be earned prior to graduation - providing immediate degree value.

* You may think that obstacles, such as time and money, are too difficult to overcome in order to return to school for a new degree. However, online programs are changing that. For example the new IT degree through Mount Washington College starts as low as $4,800 annually and is highly flexible to accommodate adult student schedules. The program enables students to finish assignments and earn their degrees as time permits, while juggling work, family and other responsibilities that are often roadblocks in more traditional education settings.

Whether you are seeking to advance in your current career or embark on a new one, career opportunities in the IT industry are many. And now, obtaining the skills you need to be successful in this market are more accessible and affordable than ever. To learn more about the Mount Washington College IT program, visit mountwashington.edu.

[BrandPoint]