What is an IT Coordinator?

<p>IT coordinators regularly maintain an organization's technological equipment. They are responsible for ensuring that computers and computer networks within the company work efficiently and effectively, enabling employees to do their jobs without issue. One main duty that IT coordinators have is troubleshooting issues that arise during computer usage, then using their knowledge to find solutions to common and specialized issues. Additionally, they may manage website domains and restore lost data, as well as purchasing new equipment if necessary. Below, you can learn some details about this career: </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Associate's</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td>Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Science</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Optional certifications available</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td>Make sure computers within a company or organization work properly and serve the needs of the company, troubleshoot problems and find solutions, restore lost data</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)*</b></td><td>9% (<i>for all computer support specialists</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)*</b></td><td>$55,510 (<i>for all computer support specialists</i>)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoesAnITCoordinatorDo">What Does an IT Coordinator Do?</h3> <p>As an IT coordinator, you are responsible for supporting a business by maintaining its technology. These professionals purchase equipment, manage domains, restore data, and troubleshoot workstations. In this position, you build and maintain databases, provide customer support, manage servers, create networks, and more. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeOptions">Degree Options</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a college degree may be preferable for all kinds of computer support specialists, but only an associate's degree or proper certification may be necessary to land a job. You might consider earning an Associate of Science in Computer Science, which is a 2-year degree program that teaches fundamentals like computer hardware and software, architecture, programming and software design. At the bachelor's degree level, you could enroll in a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology or Information Systems. In this undergraduate program, you could take courses that teach topics like electronic data, firewalls, encryption, programming, and operating systems. </p> <h3 id="section---CertificationAvailability">Certification Availability</h3> <p>Some employers require IT coordinator candidates to hold industry certifications. You could get certified with CompTIA, an organization that certifies computer support technicians. Certifications you could earn include CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Server+, and twelve other designations. Each designation requires that you meet certain requirements, so you should check the organization's website for specific requirements and recommendations. </p> <h3 id="section---CareerAndSalaryOutlook">Career and Salary Outlook</h3> <p>In May 2020, the BLS reported that computer support specialists earned a median annual salary of $55,510 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The same source noted that jobs for computer support specialists were expected to grow 9% from 2020-2030. These figures depend on a number of variables, including your education and experience level. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3> <p>Web developers work for companies and individuals, designing and creating websites that are both functional and engaging for business and personal reasons. The majority must have at least an associate's degree to find professional work. Information security analysts use their knowledge of online security to devise strategies to protect companies from cyberattacks. They require a bachelor's degree to find work. Computer network architects build both large and small networks to link computers together, helping to further efficiency within the workplace. They also require a bachelor's degree.</p>