The Top Skills for Entry-Level Jobs in IT
Did you know that if you have experience with technical support, software development, installation, Cisco, and SQL, you already have the necessary skills for an entry-level job working in technology? That’s right, according to jobs data compiled by our research partner Burning Glass, these following skills are the most listed in job descriptions for candidates with less than a bachelor’s degree:
Necessary skills are defined as specialized skills required for a job and relevant across similar jobs. After you acquire the necessary skills, you can begin to obtain defining skills that represent the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the job. For IT jobs that require less than a bachelor’s degree, these skills include system administration, customer support, help desk support, and additional specialized software experience such as VMWare and Linux. And once you master these skills, you begin building distinguishing skills which are defined as skills that set an employee apart and command a salary and growth premium. These include experience with SQL Server, VPN (Virtual Private Networks), network infrastructure, unit testing, and debugging.
If you are a graduate of the Stride Career Prep IT program, you are well-positioned for jobs in this category and beyond. For example, students in our computer networking pathway are prepared to take the exams necessary to earn the credentials to embark on a career as a computer support specialist right after graduation, making upwards of $40,000 per year right out of high school.
In addition to computer networking, our IT program offers curricula in four other pathways, including cybersecurity, digital design, game design and programming, and web and digital communications. Learn more about the benefits of this program here.
Hear firsthand from a Stride Career Prep student on his experience with his chosen pathway in game design:
