For recent college graduates, entering the workforce can be scary, but for those who were smart enough to go to school for IT, the prospect of starting a career in IT right away isn’t so bad.

IT has consistently been a field where the number of jobs outweigh the number of qualified applicants, leaving IT graduates with a lot of hope. Overall, the job market for recent college graduates has been improving every year since the recession, and entry level IT jobs are as plentiful as ever.

Typical jobs for IT graduates include positions like software engineer, system analyst, technical support staffer, consultant & more. With endless possibilities – from entering a blossoming tech field right here in St. Louis to taking your talents to Silicon Valley or Seattle, there are several things to consider when starting a career in IT.

Find Your Passion

Don’t apply to every single job just because it’s applicable to an extent. You’ve read the textbooks, but do you know the roles and responsibilities of every person in the IT department? If you’re good at coding, you probably don’t want to man the help desk. If you’re a problem solver who doesn’t like coding, consider the help desk. List out the types of projects you would like to work on and know your own abilities and limitations. Focus in on the entry level IT jobs that you would truly enjoy & pave your own path.

 

Contracting May be a Good Idea

If you have no idea where you want to be in 5 years, it’s perfectly fine to go about starting a career in IT through contracting. Local IT recruiters are always looking to fill jobs for IT graduates, and a trial run may be beneficial in building your resume and finding your true passion. If the temp job is mutually a good fit for you and the employer you may get a full-time job out of it. If it’s not your cup of tea you now have some real-world experience and probably learned more about exactly what you’re looking for next.

 

Gain Certifications to Qualify You for Your Next Position

The best jobs for IT graduates go to those who have gone above and beyond their call of duty. Having a degree and having real world experience are very different things. However, it’s possible to add lines to your resume outside of the classroom or office. Launch your IT career with in-demand certifications like becoming a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) CompTIA A+ Technician, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Microsoft Certified Software Engineer (MCSE) or getting your Network+ Certification. The cost of these certifications varies, with the most expensive being the CISSP at $600, but that’s a small price to pay for starting an IT career fresh out of college.

 

Network, Network, Network

Now that you’re an IT professional, we encourage you to network with other like-minded professionals. While a degree and strong resume will certainly help your job prospects, face-to-face communication with prospective employers and co-workers can do nothing but help. Also, don’t be afraid to contribute to online discussions about industry topics on LinkedIn.

Starting a Career in IT? Learn About Opportunities at ThrottleNet

As a full-service managed IT provider, ThrottleNet is always looking for qualified applicants to join our team. Submit your resume online & learn more about positions as a Remote Support Technician, Network Engineer, Web App Developer or Sales Representative at ThrottleNet.