Last updated on October 2nd, 2023 at 05:40 pm
Pretty much everyone would agree that it’s important to fully assess an education track before enrolling, and when it comes to master’s degrees and other graduate-level programs, that’s especially the case. You want to ensure that you’re going to get the most out of your investment in your future. If you’ve been considering getting your Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) degree but aren’t sure whether it’s for you, we want to break down the stats to help you make an informed decision about your time and effort.
What’s the current state of the IT industry?
While some might think of IT as just being about computer troubleshooting and repair, the truth is the industry is much broader and more dynamic than that. Embracing everything from cybersecurity to data storage and analysis to software engineering, IT is multi-faceted, vital to our global economy, and the field continues to grow quickly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in IT is expected to grow much faster than the average through 2029, adding over half a million new jobs. The fact that technology continues to change and expand in so many new ways means that those in this field will benefit from continuous learning to stay on top of the latest developments.
Why should you get an MSIT degree?
You can increase your earning potential
Some of the clearest statistics about the difference between your career with a bachelor’s degree in IT versus a master’s degree comes in the form of earning potential. BLS employment statistics demonstrate a $15,000 a year median annual wage premium for those who hold a Master’s degree in information security as compared to those who have a bachelor’s degree. That’s an 18% increase! That difference grew when it came to network and computer systems administrators, where the median annual wage gap was $18,000 (26%). Essentially, graduate-level education is one of the strongest steps you can take to see a difference in your paycheck. In their 2019 education projections, the BLS reported that, “About half of occupations that had annual median wages of $94,225 or more in May 2017 (two and a half times the overall median) typically require a doctoral or professional degree or a master’s degree for entry.” Which brings up the next point…
You can increase your employability
The BLS data suggests having a master’s degree could potentially make you more employable, especially in the evolving job market. That same 2019 education projections analysis found that, “Occupations that typically require a master’s degree…are projected to grow at a rate of 16.7 percent through 2026. That’s more than twice the rate of growth projected for all occupations, 7.4 percent.” So not only could a master’s degree boost your earning potential, but it could also potentially make it easier for you to find a job and stay employed not only now, but in the future as well. Especially in a field that changes as rapidly as information technology, an MSIT degree tells employers you know how to invest in the education you need to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry.
You can expand your potential career opportunities
Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? If you’ve been thinking about where and how you want to grow your career in the future, a master’s degree might be needed to help you make the jump from entry-level to management. An MSIT degree on top of an information technology undergraduate education and background can make it possible for you to pursue positions like IT auditor, IT consultant, software development scrum master, IT director, even vice president of IT or chief technology officer. Even if you don’t come from an IT background, a master’s in IT degree can provide the needed insight into the technology of business, opening up the potential for you to pursue project management or program management on technically focused teams within an organization.
It’s easier than you think
These days, getting your master’s degree does not require putting your current job on hold, disappearing into a classroom several days a week, or requiring you to be near a campus. Salem University’s MSIT degree program provides the options, accessibility, and flexibility that make it easier to invest in your education. With fully online master’s degrees, unique course schedules, student support, and college affordability options, universities like Salem are making master’s in information technology and other graduate-level degrees a viable path for so many people.
If you’d like more information about the online MSIT degrees at Salem University, contact us here today.
Tags: Career Advancement, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Higher Education, Masters Programs, Software Engineering
