The tech industry continues to expand, creating exciting opportunities for those looking to launch a career in technology. Earning an associate degree in information technology (IT) or information systems technology (IST) can be the first step toward IT job roles in various industries. Through your associate degree education, you’ll build a strong foundation in cybersecurity fundamentals, networking and programming, preparing you for entry-level IT jobs or further education in a bachelor's degree program.
Not sure which degree is right for your tech career?
In this article, we’ll explore five in-demand tech careers you can pursue with an IT or IST degree and how an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) can help you start your journey.
Here are five tech careers you can start with an IT or IST degree:
1. Network Administrator
As a network administrator, you’ll play a vital role in keeping an organization’s computer networks running smoothly. You’ll install, configure and monitor networks to ensure seamless communication, top performance and strong security. From troubleshooting issues to protecting systems against cyber threats, this career puts you at the center of IT infrastructure. You’ll need skills in:
- Setting up and maintaining networks
- Troubleshooting and resolving network issues
- Managing routers, switches and firewalls
- Implementing security measures to prevent cyber threats
Career outlook
As businesses expand their digital operations, they rely on skilled network administrators to keep their systems secure and efficient. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a median annual salary of $95,360 for network and computer systems administrators, with continued job growth expected. In Northern Virginia Community College’s (NOVA) service area, Lightcast, a labor market analytics company, estimates a median salary of $120,000, making this a high-paying and in-demand career path.
How NOVA prepares you
Through NOVA’s information technology (IT) degree and information system technology (IST) degree program, you’ll gain hands-on experience with networking technologies, including Cisco systems. Courses like Networking Fundamentals and Routing and Switching Essentials help you develop practical skills that prepare you for IT job roles in network administration.
2. Cybersecurity Specialist
Math shapes how you interact with the world, helping you solve everyday problems and make informed decisions. Whether it’s budgeting, cooking, planning trips or even listening to music, math trains you to recognize patterns, think critically and measure with precision. By studying math, you strengthen essential problem-solving skills that apply to countless real-world situations, making everyday tasks more engaging and efficient.
But everyday tasks aren’t the only part of your life you can enrich through math. The same skills are essential in areas that require analytical reasoning, such as engineering, finance and data science. From predicting economic trends to modeling climate change, math plays a crucial role in understanding the complex systems around you. By studying math, you gain the ability to interpret data, recognize patterns and make informed predictions on a huge range of topics.
NOVA helps you understand the world through a strong academic foundation and a supportive learning environment. Small class sizes, dedicated faculty and academic resources like tutoring and advising ensure that you’re not just passing exams — you’re engaging the world.
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, businesses need skilled professionals to safeguard their data and systems. As a cybersecurity specialist, you’ll apply cybersecurity fundamentals to identify vulnerabilities, implement security measures and respond to cyberattacks — keeping organizations secure from evolving threats. You’ll need skills in:
- Ethical hacking and penetration testing to assess system security
- Risk assessment and mitigation to protect against cyber threats
- Firewall and intrusion detection system (IDS) management for network defense
- Data encryption and access control to secure sensitive information
Career outlook
With cybersecurity threats becoming more sophisticated, the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 33% increase in cybersecurity job openings by 2033, making it one of the most lucrative fields in IT. Companies, government agencies and financial institutions need experts like you to safeguard their networks and data. For example, the BLS reports a national median salary of $120,360 for information security analysts, while Lightcast estimates a median salary of $143,000 in NOVA’s service area.
How NOVA prepares you
At NOVA, you’ll take courses like Cybersecurity Fundamentals and Network Security, gaining the skills needed to succeed in cybersecurity. These courses prepare you for industry-recognized certifications like CompTIA Security+ and Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) — credentials that help you stand out for IT job roles and advance your career.
3. IT Support Specialist
Every organization depends on IT support specialists to troubleshoot hardware, software and network issues. In this role — also known as an IT help desk specialist — you’ll solve technical problems, communicate effectively and stay current with emerging technologies to keep businesses operating efficiently. You’ll need skills in:
- Diagnosing and resolving technical issues quickly
- Providing customer support for IT-related problems
- Installing and configuring software and hardware
- Maintaining system documentation for troubleshooting and upgrades
Career outlook
If you're looking for a high-demand IT career that doesn’t require a four-year degree, IT support specialist is a strong option. Entry-level IT jobs like this are needed across industries, offering opportunities for career growth. Lightcast reports that computer network support specialists in NOVA’s service area earn a median salary of $88,000. This role often serves as a gateway to more advanced positions in network administration, cybersecurity or IT management.
How NOVA prepares you
At NOVA, you’ll take courses like Technical Support and Troubleshooting, gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing and resolving IT issues. You’ll also prepare for industry certifications like CompTIA A+, a widely recognized credential that helps you stand out for entry-level IT jobs that can lead to more advanced positions.
4. Database Administrator
As a database administrator, you’ll ensure that essential company data is stored, organized and secured. You’ll design, implement and maintain databases, making sure information is accurate, accessible to authorized users and protected from security threats. You’ll need skills in:
- Designing and managing databases to support business operations
- Writing and optimizing SQL (Structured Query Language) queries
- Planning backup and disaster recovery strategies to prevent data loss
- Monitoring database performance and making necessary optimizations
Career outlook
As businesses become increasingly data-driven, the demand for database administrators continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 9% job growth for database administrators and architects by 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. The BLS reports a median annual salary of $117,450, while Lightcast estimates a median salary of $144,000 for web administrators in NOVA’s service area.
How NOVA prepares you
At NOVA, you’ll take Database Management Systems courses to build expertise in SQL and database architecture. The IT and IST programs also prepare you for industry-recognized certifications, such as Oracle Database Administrator Certified Associate, helping you qualify for IT job roles in database administration.
5. Software Developer
As a software developer, you’ll create applications, websites and systems that power businesses and enhance consumer experiences. You may also work in IT job roles as a software quality assurance analyst or tester, identifying and reporting defects to ensure smooth functionality. You’ll need skills in:
- Programming in languages like Python, Java and C++
- Understanding the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
- Developing web and mobile applications
- Debugging and testing software to improve performance
Career outlook
Software development is one of the fastest-growing tech fields, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting 17% job growth by 2033. The BLS also reports a median annual salary of $130,160 for software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers, while Lightcast estimates a median salary of $145,000 for software developers in NOVA’s service area. You can start in entry-level IT jobs as a junior developer or software tester, then advance into more complex roles as you gain experience.
How NOVA prepares you
At NOVA, you’ll take courses like Application Programming and Mobile App Development, gaining hands-on experience in coding and software design. You can also pursue certificates in application programming or mobile application development to strengthen your credentials and stand out in the job market.
Why Choose NOVA for Your IT or IST degree?
Choosing the right IT or IST degree program is an important step toward launching a successful career. At NOVA, you’ll gain the technical skills and industry knowledge needed for entry-level IT job roles or to continue your education at a four-year university. With a flexible, affordable and career-focused approach, NOVA provides a strong foundation that prepares you to excel in network administration, cybersecurity, software development and more.
Your NOVA education also offers you: