Deciding what path you want to take in the IT industry is not the same it was in the ’90s. Back then there was a shortage of IT people in the industry. You didn’t really have to put much thought into which path to take because chances were you would find employment. It also used to be that the IT industry was about the money.

Times have since changed and there is now a surplus of people in the IT field. Corporate budgets have shrunk and the industry is becoming more and more competitive. As a result, the IT field you enter will no longer be based on money or shortage.

A few years ago if a student asked what field they should go into I might have said network administration because there is a demand for it. When people ask me today what IT field they should enter, I usually tell them to figure out what aspect of the industry it is that they will enjoy the most and then go with that. You have a much better chance of finding a job and getting ahead if you choose a field you are passionate about. In case you didn’t know, people are usually more effective when they are doing something they enjoy as opposed to just going through the motions.

If you are trying to decide which field to pursue, consider the following points:

• If you really enjoy working with people and assisting others with problems consider a career in support/help desk.

• If you enjoy fixing things and solving problems consider a career in systems.
• If you like to create things, enjoy design, have a creative edge, consider a career in programming or Web design.
• If you have a knack for seeing the bigger picture, consider moving into project management.

And of course, you don’t necessarily have to choose one specific field and focus it. You can always train in more than one field such as systems and project management.