Find out the career options in business administration and information technology. Learn about education requirements, typical job duties and median salaries by job title.
What Careers Are Available in Business Administration and Information Technology?
There are a variety of careers in business administration and information technology, such as computer support specialists, computer programmers, administrative service managers and computer and information systems managers. Computer support specialists provide customers with information on maintaining their computers and software. This could be in person or by phone or internet. Computer programmers know computer languages and write programs, apps, and test code for clients. They could write the next video game or useful application for wireless phones.
Administrative service managers are the coordinators of support services for a company or organization. They maintain the facilities and supervise the paperwork. Computer and information systems managers are the internet technologist at a company who determine the IT goals for a company and implement that plan. They normally direct the computer activities on a daily basis and keep things running smoothly. The following chart is an overview about entering this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td> </td><td><b>Computer support specialist</b></td><td><b>Computer programmers</b></td><td> <b>Administrative Service Managers</b></td><td> <b>Computer and information systems managers</b></td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Required</b></td><td> Associate degree, Bachelor's degree preferred </td><td>Bachelor's degree </td><td>Bachelor's degree </td><td>Bachelor's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td> Computer science, Information systems, Computer engineering </td><td>Computer science </td><td> Business, engineering, facility management, or information management </td><td>Computer or information service</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td> Installing software, running diagnostics, resolving network issues </td><td>Write programs </td><td>Buy, store and distribute supplies </td><td>Analyze and make recommendations on a company's computer needs</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification</b></td><td> Optional certification available </td><td>Certifications in certain computer languages </td><td>Professional certification available </td><td>Certifications depend on the industry need</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)</b></td><td> 9%*</td><td> -10% (decline)*</td><td> 9%*</td><td> 11%*</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td> $55,510*</td><td> $89,190* </td><td> $98,890*</td><td> $151,150*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsBusinessAdministrationAndInformationTechnology">What Is Business Administration and Information Technology?</h3><p>Business administration involves the implementation, maintenance and management of various operations of commercial enterprises, nonprofit organizations and government agencies. Your work in business administration may include developing and enforcing policies and programs, preparing documents, managing fiscal operations, record keeping and supervising staff.
</p><p>Information technology (IT) encompasses equipment, applications, protocols and methodologies used to gather, process and present various forms of data. Your work in IT would revolve around computer technologies for data types that may include voice and audio functions, such as multimedia and telecommunications.
</p><p>While business administration and information technology are different fields, they have areas of overlap because information technology is used for business purposes in the global marketplace. In one aspect, information technology is a commercial business product that is developed, sold and serviced, similar to any product. Information technology is also a business tool that can be maximized to help meet the specific needs and goals of an organization.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreMyCareerOptions">What Are My Career Options?</h3><p>In business administration, you could work in a wide range of industries, such as retail, agriculture, construction, entertainment, education, healthcare, lodging, finance and business services. Your job title and responsibilities will vary. For example, as an administrative service manager you would oversee the support services of an organization, which could include facilitating maintenance and mail distribution.
</p><p>You may pursue IT positions for any organization that relies heavily on computer systems and networks for their operations. For example, if you choose to work as a computer support specialist, you would assist organizations and individuals in using computer hardware and software. Your duties could include handling operation-related inquiries and troubleshooting.
</p><p>There are also job opportunities that require the blending of business administration and information technology skills. This can include, for example, sales and marketing professionals who specialize in information technologies. Also, chief information officers and some business analysts serve in a dual capacity in the areas of business and technology.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirements">What Are the Requirements?</h3><p>The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that a high school diploma or GED is the minimum educational requirement for some entry-level jobs, such as administrative service managers, while an undergraduate or a graduate degree is generally necessary for top executive opportunities. For information technology jobs, the BLS reports that some college-level coursework is sufficient for many entry-level work opportunities as a computer support specialist. A bachelor's degree is usually required for many IT careers, such as computer programmer, computer systems analyst, network architect or software developer. You can also find schools that offer dual graduate degree programs in business and information technology, such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Information Technology, MBA in Managing Information Technology or Master of Science (M.S.) in Information Technology.
</p><h3 id="section---HowMuchCouldIEarn">How Much Could I Earn?</h3><p>Your specific earning potential can vary with your degree level, degree type, industry, job type and level of authority. For example, computer support specialists earned a median salary of $55,510 in 2020, while computer programmers earned a median of $89,190 in the same year. The BLS also noted that administrative services managers earned $98,890 and computer and information systems managers made a median of $151,150 in 2020.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>For alternative career positions in these fields, you will need to at least earn a bachelor's degree. Related IT and business administration careers could include employment as a computer systems analyst. This job needs computer and business skills to design solutions to local information issues. Another alternative, computer network architect, would require you to design and build local area networks (LANs). It would be possible with the education and experience to become a top executive planning and collaborating with other executives and employees to set and meet the goals for success of the company. You could also work in database administration. You'd need to spend your time collecting data for financial institutions or universities and keeping it safe for access and use.</p>
