What is Computer Information Technology?
Oklahoma is one of the more sparsely populated states in the nation. Its soil has never been ideal for agriculture, so it was a difficult place to populate in its early years. However, it rose to global importance in the wake of oil's rise. Tulsa was the world's largest supplier of oil at one point. Even today, Oklahoma ranks 2nd nationwide for its mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction industry. That sector brings the state over $29 billion in annual revenues.
Like many states, Oklahoma's real estate sector also ranks very high in its economic statistics. Real estate sales, rents, and leasing bring the state nearly $19 billion every year, ranking Oklahoma 33rd nationwide for real estate. Much of this revenue may be attributed to leases paid for quarries and oil fields, but residential and traditional properties comprise a large portion.
A computer information technology professional is a high-tech employee whose work revolves around a firm's technology solutions. Some focus their work on hardware solutions, such as the actual cables and devices that store and transmit data. Others focus more on software issues such as databases, network routing, installing and maintaining applications, and cyber security.
On an average day, a computer information technology professional may help workers upgrade their software, troubleshoot problems, or make adjustments to the firm's databases. They might also research upcoming hardware and software solutions, including cloud computing and mobile solutions. CIT professionals are also in charge of rolling out major software upgrades to all their firm's desktop computers.
Traditionally, most CIT professionals have worked in offices, but the profession has been evolving recently. Many now work from a remote location. In fact, for years there have been database experts who have worked with clients from their home office. Network administration and other functions can also be conducted from afar.
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Online Computer Information Technology Education in Oklahoma
Oklahoma is more than oil and minerals, however. The state is home to a diverse and growing economy that supports the full spectrum of careers and companies. Its second strongest economic sector is real estate, which is fairly common among the states. Since Oklahoma is so sparsely populated, this sector may be relying on sales and leases of oil fields and quarries. Nevertheless, real estate brings Oklahoma $19 billion each year, the 33rd biggest real estate sector in the nation.
Manufacturing may also be riding on the tails of Oklahoma's natural resource reserves, ranking 3rd statewide and 34th in the nation. Oklahoma's manufacturing sector brings the state $18.5 billion each year. The state is also invested in other non-mining ventures, including professional and business services. That economic sector brings Oklahoma $17 billion each year and ranks 32nd for the sector nationwide.
Professional and business services is a part of the economy that covers a wide spectrum of business activities. These include commercial laboratories, management services, and other service providers who help businesses thrive in Oklahoma. These business services include HR consulting firms that help smaller firms with benefits and corporate recruiters who staff oil companies with top management personnel. These consultants can thrive because every firm in the Oklahoma economy needs personnel and human resources professionals to thrive.
With that in mind, the Oklahoman legislature allocates funds to the state's colleges and universities that are spent to strengthen their business schools and thus their human resources management degree programs. The legislature knows that every business in Oklahoma needs HR managers if they are going to continue growing. After all, it takes human resources to mine and drill for the state's natural resources.
Online Associates (AS)
An associate computer information technology degree is a great way to start a career in IT. These two-year degrees are often enough to launch students into their first, entry-level job in an IT department. It's also a great platform for later learning and degrees. Many use their associate IT degrees to earn professional and industry certifications that employers love to see.
Since every community college requires students to complete the core college curriculum as a requirement of their associate computer information technology degree, students are also armed with the soft skills that can make a huge difference. After all, even technology workers must have strong writing and other communication skills. IT degree students may also take complementary courses in subjects such as statistics or other mathematics. If possible, students should also look for internship programs so that they have practical experience upon graduation. These courses may be a great help over the course of a career.
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Online Bachelors (BS)
A full four-year undergraduate degree in computer information technology is probably the best launchpad for a career in information technology. Students in four-year degree programs can expand their knowledge with more courses covering the full range of IT technologies. They can also dive deeper into their area of specialization. Since the degree takes four years, there are also more opportunities to expand learning with complementary courses.
Not only do IT students take complementary courses, but they may earn a minor concentration. Students who augment their IT work with a supplemental focus on subjects such as computer science, mathematics, or a business-related field will find that their resumes are even more attractive. They can even earn a double major in one of these fields, which will bring them even more options later in their career.
During the third year of an IT degree program, students should start to plan their future learning. This is a great time to evaluate the best master’s computer information technology degree programs. Those who are ready to leave the academic world for a few years should also investigate professional certification programs. In fact, many undergraduate students use their summer breaks as an opportunity to earn a certificate in their favorite technology.
National Online Rankings - best 25 bachelors IT programsOnline Masters (MS)
Master’s computer information technology degree programs are increasingly popular in the industry. Students who earn their master’s degree are sure to see that their salary increases and more opportunities for promotions. While most will opt for an MS in information technology, there is another option.
Since so many IT professionals work in a business environment, many are now choosing to pursue an MBA degree. These business master’s degree programs are usually structured so that the first year is a general business education, albeit at the master’s level. The second year is then focused on a concentration. Many offer information technology as a concentration.
Yet a third option is a dual MBA. In a dual MBA, students can earn their MS in information technology alongside an MBA. For their MBA, they can then choose another concentration such as management, finance, or leadership. Dual MBA programs are very intense, take three years, and will likely prohibit full-time, if any, work.
National Online Rankings - best 25 masters IT programsOnline Doctorate (PhD)
A doctorate degree is not always necessary for an IT professional to land their dream job in the C-suites. However, for those who have a real passion for technology and their focus area, a doctorate may be exactly what they need. Specializations such as cryptography, data science, or computer science may benefit from a PhD.
In fact, there are many corporations that will hire a PhD who has done research in a field they find valuable. Cryptography seems particularly popular at the moment. Companies are scrambling to protect their data, and this aspect of cyber security is a great way to thwart black-hat hackers from stealing their vital records. PhD candidates are attracted to many firms that offer them the opportunity to continue their research for a handsome salary.
However, many use their PhDs to land jobs in academia. A PhD can lead to a tenure track position teaching undergraduate or graduate students. A doctorate in information technology can also mean a tenured position as a research faculty member. Research positions allow professionals to maintain an affiliation with a university while conducting research, often for private industry.
Learn more about computer science resources and scholarships Check out our Financial Aid GuideBecome an Information Technology Specialist in Oklahoma
Computers are ubiquitous in our lives. Most college-aged students these days have grown up with sleek laptop computers, wireless internet, and pocket-sized devices that are 1000 times more powerful than early desktops. Thus, it's easy to see that many of these students will also grow up with a fascination that compels them to understand how these devices work.
This curiosity and passion for computing is probably the best starting point for a student who is interested in a career in information technology. What follows from that is the knowledge required to understand computers and then to devise clever solutions for when problems arise. Even high school students can begin to acquire this knowledge by way of the internet. There are countless videos and websites that can address individual issues. There are also free and affordable courses that can provide the sort of structured learning that will pay off later.
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For success, students should seek out like-minded friends and peers who might be interested in collaborating in this learning process. Many high schools have clubs and organizations that are focused on computing and other technological issues. These are often fun ways to meet others while providing valuable support to one's college application.
When applying to an undergraduate IT degree program, students should seek out the best program possible. While every program they consider should be fully accredited - a minimum standard is a CHEA-approved regional credential - even better is an information technology degree program with an ABET accreditation. ABET is an agency that accredits STEM-related degree programs at every academic level.
Once enrolled, undergraduate students can focus their information technology degree on the specific area that interests them the most, such as database technology. Meanwhile, they will find that they can take elective courses to become more well-rounded as students. For these courses they might take statistics, mathematics, or even a business-related course. Students who have the time and interest should consider a minor concentration that they can add to their resume. Those who are even more motivated and ambitious could consider a double major.
Potential Careers for CIT (CIS) Graduates
- Data Entry Keyers
This is an entry-level position where workers need to have very high speed when it comes to entering numbers into a computer. Data entry keyers need to be highly skilled with the 10-key keypad, the numerical keys of most full-sized computers. - Graphic Designers
This field is where art meets technology. Graphic designers need top skills in software packages such as the Adobe Creative Suite, but may also benefit from knowing open-source software such as Inkscape, Gimp, and Blender. - Special Effects Artists and Animators
Special effects and animations are found in all sorts of media these days. Well trained artists are needed to make advertisements stand out, to illustrate instructional videos, and to make blockbuster movies. In fact, some film companies have created their own animation technologies to achieve the visual effect they desire. - Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
To work in this field, computer scientists need a master’s degree as a minimum requirement. However, to create a robust career, computer scientists need a doctoral degree to land a full-time tenure track position with even a community college. While professional, commercial experience can be a benefit, that is not often required by hiring managers. - Computer Hardware Engineers
Without hardware, software would have nowhere to live. Hardware engineers create the circuit boards and microchips that make our phones and computers operate as quickly as they do. This field requires a degree, often in electrical engineering. Some hardware engineers work in IT departments where they oversee the servers and other hardware in the system. - Data Scientists
This is an important and rapidly growing field. Data science is concerned with compiling and analyzing large troves of data for use by public health officials, marketing departments, and many others. To succeed in this field, strong aptitude with statistics is vital as is strong skill coding in either Python or R, if not both programming languages. - Web and Digital Interface Designers
Every piece of software must look good and have an intuitive, usable interface for the end user. This field thus requires that professionals have a strong sense of design and artistic aesthetics, while also having a strong command of the technology. Web designers, for instance, need to know languages such as HTML and CSS. - Web Developers
This field is separate from web designers in that developers work on the back end of websites. They effectively make sure that sites work and that they contain the tech desired by the site owner. Developers need to know languages such as Python, PHP, C++, Ruby, and many more. A developer's coding languages will be determined by the sorts of projects they specialize in. - Cyber Security Analyst
Cyber security is a vital field that is well-paid and growing fast. Information security analysts focus on their firm's cyber security systems and protocols. They look for new ways to improve these systems while also keeping their eye on the latest trends in cyber security, such as the newest forms of cyber-attack.
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