Majors in technology study the ways through which ICT’s and other electronic devices are used to solve human problems. Majors in technology often integrate courses in engineering, technology in the degree programs to provide students with knowledge and expertise in a vast scope of technical areas. Success in technology majors culminates in understanding not only how a system functions, but also ways of making it function better. And in the emergence of information economy that has developed in America over the last twenty or so years, quality technology programs offer training to students by teaching business, liberal arts and social science.

Lucrative Jobs in Technology

Computer Software Engineers

The United States Department of Labor predicts some steady, sharp growth in the job market for computer software engineers over the next decade despite the fact that many large corporates “offshore” software engineering jobs.

Computer equipment manufacturers constantly innovate with new, faster, more reliable hardware. Therefore, software publishers react by releasing constant updates and additional features, even to established software packages like word processors and spreadsheets. In addition, many large companies have pulled computer software development in-house, hiring groups of software engineers to produce proprietary software platforms that help companies remain secure from outside threats.

Considering the high salaries–computer software engineers earned a median salary of $89,070 in 2007, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics–significant bonuses, and the potential for lucrative stock options at public companies, those with bachelor’s degrees in technology can expect to thrive as software engineers.

Information Security Specialist

Corporate espionage and identity theft are on the rise in America, and experts expect the business leaders will require even more information security over the next ten years. Information security professionals work from offices and on the ground to evaluate security threats to corporate computer systems, prevent theft of critical data and provide assurance to corporate leaders that new software and hardware systems will be reliable and secure in service to their owners.

Database Administrator

In the early 20th Century, companies depended on workers for the manufacture of products from raw materials such as steel, wood, and glass. Knowledge workers today add value to their companies through analysis of obscure data sets for insight into customer spending behaviour or prospectives, developing sophisticated pecuniary deals. Database administrators operate at the hub of the current information economy, and their expertise allows organizations to manufacture products with more efficiency, to ship goods faster and to manage financial transactions with thrift.

Two decades ago, only large industrial or retail organizations and institutions used databases, often requiring teams of personnel for maintenance. Vany small business owners rely on databases today, either running them on desktop workstations or online. Even with manufacturing jobs and customer service positions shifting overseas, companies still require home grown experts to manage their most critical assets.

Database administrators can work within various companies, government agencies or academic and educational institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, database administrators in 2007 made a median salary of $67,250. Established database administrators often do freelance work as consultants to a number of clients. As such, labor officials foresee an almost insatiable demand for competent database administrators in the next decade.

Why Should You Consider a College Major in Technology?

In the mid to late 1990’s, before the pioneers of Yahoo! put their first web page together, computer technology majors worked in computer labs and lecture halls. Technology majors enjoy superstar status on some contemporary college campuses, with many even participating in prominent national competitions. Despite the failures of many innovative technology firms in the late 1990’s, technology majors still enjoy rapid job advancement and many prospects for professional and personal growth in their career paths.

Much as computers have revolutionized our day to day life in the past decade, technology software and applications have reinvented themselves to zone in on future cutting edge tools and systems. Technology majors enjoy regular prospects for practical learning experiences through lab work, internships, and co-curricular research and development operations. Many IT majors are involved in groundbreaking studies that grow into patented solutions. A successful few, such as Michael Dell and the Google team, have even engineered major innovative businesses while still enrolled in classes.

Last but certainly not least, IT majors are privy to some of the most dynamic learning opportunities of any degree seekers. Other fields require significant face-to-face time on campus, but many schools offer online learning curricula utilizing the best innovations from past generations so as to generate tomorrow’s novel discoveries. Mid-career professionals searching for new opportunities can even open a door to exciting and lucrative job changes via distance learning programs.

What Candidates Make the Best Majors in Technology?

Teenage computer hackers wishing to earn their way through a bachelor’s degree in technology will be disappointed to learn that comprehension of software only makes up part of the victory recipe for technology majors. As per the admissions boards at several prestigious technology institutions, strong IT majors share some or all the following traits:

• Clear communication, written and/or verbal
• Good teamwork and networking capability
• Problem solving using critical thinking and experimentation
• Patient approach to challenges
• A conceptually human approach to problem solution

Moreover, successful students keep up to date on trends and discoveries by reading online trade journals and constant involvement in discussion groups. Notwithstanding that echnology majors may already operate a Web site or develop their own software, a formal education, online degree program, or even a certificate program can provide a technology major with essential collaboration and critical thinking expertise.

What Can You Expect from Our Guides to Majors in Technology?

By taking your time to survey our profiles of specific majors in technology, your choices on specialty are enhanced, giving you a valuable career head start. Because IT encompasses various fields, each profile shows you some means by which that technology degree can turn a specialty into a worthwhile venture.

In reviewing the profile for each major, we share our insight about the benefits of a choice in that major, some of the possible careers you can pursue, any of the necessities to iniitiate a career in that specialty, and how you can maximize benefits from online learning programs to study from anywhere, according frequent convenience to your own schedule.