From Boat Trash to Respectable Geek

Information Technology (IT) remains one of the fastest growing employment realms in our current economy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, IT occupations are “projected to grow 12 percent from 2012 to 2024” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015). Between 2010 and 2015 alone, IT job growth expanded 15 percent with addition 9 percent growth projected through 2020 (Pizzo, 2015). Depending on the source, the median annual wage of those employed in IT occupations ranges between $81,430 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015) and $83,366 (Pizzo, 2015).

The importance of expanding organizational information technology systems is demonstrated by the maritime industry, an industry currently facing post-recession slow economic growth. According to IHS Markit, in their analysis of trends with the potential to shape the future of the global maritime industry, investment in integrated information infrastructures will prove key to weathering the current economic slowdown while maintaining long-term viability. From shipyards developing more technologically advanced approaches to Automatic Identification System (AIS), “IHS believes 2016 will see an increased development and adoption of big data analytics…to mitigate risks and transform challenges into opportunities” (Information Handling Services, 2015).

Moving forward knowing this information, I chose an IT education plan concentrating on information security and assurance. Information Security Analysts, those responsible to “plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s…network and systems” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015), currently demonstrate the fastest growth potential at 16 percent (Campbell, 2015). The median annual income for Information Security Analysts ranges from $88, 899 (Pizzo, 2015) to $90, 120 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015) however employment typically requires a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum level of educational competency.

Potential long-term future engagement in the IT field may lead me towards becoming a Computer and Information Research Scientists, imbued with the responsibility to “invent and design new approaches to commuting technology and find innovative uses for existing technology” (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015) across all occupational disciplines. The field of computer and information research has a 9% projected job growth (Pizzo, 2015), slightly above the national projected job growth rate, but the median annual salary ranges between $108,347 (Pizzo, 2015) and $110,620 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015). To reap such financial rewards typically requires either a Doctoral or professional degree.

A previously unknown enjoyment stemming from an introduction to web design provided a third additional career opportunity as a Web Designer. Web Designers, responsible for the design, execution, and maintenance of an organizations e-initiatives and abilities, persist as the heartbeat of any organization. The web design occupation is expected to “grow 11 percent in the next five years” (Campbell, 2015). Persons choosing to become Web Designers can expect a median annual income of between $63,482 (Pizzo, 2015) and $64,970 (U.S. Department of Labor, 2015).  As a ray of sunshine against the bleak storm of student debt, potential candidates can enter into this field possessing an Associate’s degree.

Reference List

Campbell, A. F. (2015). Best IT Jobs for 2016. Retrieved from The Atlantic: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/12/best-it-jobs-for-2016/433722/

Information Handling Services. (2015). IHS Identifies Top Five Trends in 2016 That Will Shape the Global Maritime Industry for the Coming Decade. Retrieved from IHS Markit: http://press.ihs.com/press-release/maritime-trade/ihs-identifies-top-five-trends-2016-will-shape-global-maritime-industry

Pizzo, L. (2015). Where IT Jobs are Expected to Grow in the Next Five Years. Retrieved from EMSI: http://www.economicmodeling.com/2015/11/03/where-it-jobs-are-expected-to-grow-in-the-next-five-years/

U.S. Department of Labor. (2015). Computer and Information Technology Occupations. Retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/mobile/home.htm