Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Information technology supervisor, information technology job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected information technology supervisor, information technology job growth rate is 16% from 2018-2028.
About 82,400 new jobs for information technology supervisors, information technology are projected over the next decade.
Information technology supervisor, information technology salaries have increased 11% for information technology supervisors, information technology in the last 5 years.
There are over 205,511 information technology supervisors, information technology currently employed in the United States.
There are 75,914 active information technology supervisor, information technology job openings in the US.
The average information technology supervisor, information technology salary is $111,282.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 205,511 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 196,735 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 177,103 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 142,825 | 0.04% |
| 2017 | 135,929 | 0.04% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $111,282 | $53.50 | +3.3% |
| 2025 | $107,756 | $51.81 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $104,936 | $50.45 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $102,499 | $49.28 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $99,981 | $48.07 | +3.2% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 401 | 58% |
| 2 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 325 | 37% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 183 | 24% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 210 | 20% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,224 | 18% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 123 | 17% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 109 | 17% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,372 | 16% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 481 | 16% |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 214 | 16% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 150 | 16% |
| 12 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 92 | 16% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,139 | 15% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 772 | 14% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 586 | 14% |
| 16 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 269 | 14% |
| 17 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 152 | 14% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 781 | 13% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 397 | 13% |
| 20 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 423 | 12% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nampa | 1 | 1% | $108,985 |
| 2 | Naperville | 1 | 1% | $114,079 |
| 3 | Westminster | 1 | 1% | $101,201 |
| 4 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $85,282 |
| 5 | Austin | 1 | 0% | $94,036 |
| 6 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $110,363 |
| 7 | Gilbert | 1 | 0% | $100,730 |
| 8 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $92,736 |
| 9 | Oklahoma City | 1 | 0% | $88,621 |
| 10 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $82,980 |
Belmont University
Governors State University
Palm Beach State College
University of New Haven
Western Illinois University
University of South Florida
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

California State University - Long Beach

University of Florida

University of Florida
Purdue University

Indiana University
University of Missouri
Dominican University

University of Illinois at Chicago
NCWIT
Loyola University Chicago

The University of Texas at Arlington

University of Michigan-Flint
Dr. Tisha Brown-Gaines: Colleges and universities try very hard to prepare students for life after graduation. Most students have the required skill sets for their field of study. However, the journey after attaining a degree still can be tricky. Selecting the right field for you is paramount. Information Systems (IS) is a great major. The interdisciplinary aspect of Information Systems (IS) allows graduates to select from numerous opportunities in the field. However, this can be quite overwhelming when students have options to apply to countless jobs. My advice would be to reflect on several assignments, projects or internship experiences during your undergraduate career that captured your interest, made you smile while completing the assignment or even one which began as a random goal and became personal. Start by identifying tasks that made you inquire more about a topic outside of the minimum requirements or a task that was challenging but helped to improve a skill set. Reflecting on these experiences will allow you to effectively navigate what areas to consider and what jobs to apply to in a sea of endless opportunities. Additionally, having the ability to reflect on past accomplishments can motivate and challenge graduates to achieve additional goals as they continue building their careers.
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Soft skills are necessary always but in regard to technical skills I see AI having a more prevalent role in IT. Graduates will need to look for ways both to leverage AI to help deal with cybersecurity related issues in addition on how AI can aid in complete infrastructure tasks
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Make sure you stay on top of the latest developments with technology. With the fluidity of technology, students today need to have the solid groundwork of a degree in IT but also understand things are continually changing and this need to always be continuing their learning and professional development.
Rich Manprisio MPM, PMP: Certifications help set you apart from other graduates. When just starting out focus on vendor neutral certifications that can show potential employers that you are willing to get the necessary additional certifications that are prevalent in the IT field.
Jason Nichols PhD: Build your experience base through internships and industry projects, and brag about these experiences when you interview. Collect professional certificates to compliment your degree. Security and cloud computing are excellent areas to pursue these in right now. AI and machine learning as well, of course. Build a structured skillset in problem solving and critical thinking, and demonstrate this skillset in your discussions with future employers. Map all of these efforts into a coherent story about yourself in your applications, and how they have shaped you to be a tech-savvy business problem solver, with a strong understanding of both the business and the technology. This foundation prepares you for so very many roles in our field, and businesses recognize and actively seek out this profile in their job candidates. Use the resources available to you. If you need additional time for more formal training, join a masters program. Join us for a masters program, actually. Our AI in Business masters program is launching this Fall, and is open for enrollment currently. Visit us here to learn more: https://wpcarey.asu.edu/masters-programs/ai-business
Palm Beach State College
Homeland Security
Dwight Elliot: In addition to the following 10 best practices from the article below, I would like to share the
following approach to career and job success that leads to maximization of salary during a
career:
a) Employers' Vision and Mission: Focus on understanding the vision and mission of the
organization you work for and what is important to them. If the idea, concept, or project
is important to them then it is important to you. Understand the history and background
of the company, the current project, financial and financial growth goals of the company,
who their competitors are, and what competitive edge the company have or some that you
can suggest. Do not just concentrate on what you want from the job (such as a good
salary, everyone says this). Make sure you are providing the employer with value, what
they want and need from you and in return you are laying the foundation and a strong
case for what you want and need from the job. This is an essential component of making
yourself valuable and marketable for salary increases and promotions based on your
performance and your measurable growth contribution to the organization.
b) Environmental Awareness and Communication with Stakeholders: Be sure you take
the time to learn the different internal and external stakeholders within the organization.
Understanding and respecting organizational structures as well as hierarchies and
following processes and communication protocols matter in an organization. You must
know who to speak to about what, when , where and how. Know your job well and how it
is related to the job of other people on your team. Understand and respect the role of all
individuals within the organization, especially those who are above you. If you do not yet
know their role within the organization begin to ask questions nicely of someone who
does know the players well and the history behind certain key positions. Get to learn the
written and unwritten rules. Saying the wrong thing to the wrong person could cost you a
job or be detrimental to your career in the long term. In the alternative, making a good
impression by communicating properly with the right person could open doors for you
now and in the future. This is an essential component of making yourself valuable and
marketable for salary increases and promotions based on your performance and your
measurable growth contribution to the organization.
c) Employer's View: Are You An Asset or Liability? Try your best to understand the
employer's point of view versus your own. Engage in micro level vs. macro level
comparative analysis as best you can. This means you make a concerted effort to think
about what is important to your employers or clients and how you can be instrumental in
meeting their needs at the highest level of performance, then think of how you can benefit
based on your valuable contribution. Ask yourself each day whether you are an asset to
the company or liability?, and be truly honest with yourself. What unique value do you
bring to the team, such as advanced data analytics skills, advanced accounting skills,
advanced technological skills, etc. Is there anything that you are doing that detracts from
this value that can make this valuable asset that you bring non-useful or non-impactful?
This is an essential component of making yourself valuable and marketable for salary
increases and promotions based on your performance and your measurable growth
contribution to the organization.
d) Be Present Physically, Mentally and with Positive Energy: Please be sure that you are
showing up to work ahead of time or at least on time.
a. Physically Present: Many individuals lose job opportunities just based on their
inability to be present and accountable for work on time. High level employees
actually show up to work 30 minutes to an hour early on a consistent basis.
b. Mentally Present: While you are at work you need to be fully engaged in work
related activity. This means that you do not spend an inordinate amount of time on
your cellphone looking at non work related messages, such as social media and
non-work related text. This is not fair to the employer and you will not allow you
to maximize your contribution to the organization or put in the work necessary to
make yourself a valuable asset to the company. What you do with your time is
what you become.
c. Energy, Communication and Positive Presence: Be sure that your energy level
is monitored and you positive in your communications, since this ultimately
affects profits and losses if a customer does not return to do business with you or
an employer because of how they were treated. Your outlook and energy affect
your overall job performance, business and career growth and ultimately your
profits. All your roles within an organization require good communication and
customer service skills. Be sure that your energy level is uplifting, positive and
creates an atmosphere where customers and colleagues feel welcome to do
business with you. This is a "little" thing that can make a big difference.
e) E) Respectful: Ensure that you are respecting others in the same way and even more than
you want them to respect you. Give as much or more than you receive, and your career
will be even more fulfilling. Ultimately a person's attitude determines their altitude in
life.
These are essential components of making yourself valuable and marketable for salary
increases and promotions based on your performance and your measurable growth
contribution to the organization..
f) Documentation of Biography, Website, Linkedin Portfolio and GitHub: Please be
sure that your are consistently updating you BIO, resume, LinkedIn, website or any other
form of professional documentation that ensures your accomplishments, achievements
and status is current and up to date. As you engage in professional development trainings,
gain certifications or additional degrees, and add additional experiences be sure to update
your profile so that you are maximizing your value.
Implementing these best practices consistently will help position you for salary increases and
promotions based on your performance and measurable growth contribution to the organization.
Dwight Elliot: Core Skills Areas: data security, networking, software development, cybersecurity, systems
engineering, AI, data analytics, financial and risk analysis, security intelligence, GDPR
Certifications (some important ones):
1) CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+
2) Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
3) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
4) Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
5) Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
6) Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
7) Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
Soft Skills: honesty, integrity and trust, compliance, communication (in-person and live) then
virtual, patience, accountability and dependability, transparency, trainable and coachable,
teamwork, discipline, commitment, dedication, humility, time management, project management
Dwight Elliot: Combination of Theoretical and Practical Knowledge: Ensure that you have a strong
combination of theoretical knowledge and practical hands-on skill sets. You must be able
to articulate your knowledge and experience well in an interview and demonstrate what
you are able to do. Be prepared to show examples of precious work that you have
produced or created.
b) Job Research: Always engage in continuous job search Online and in-person. Read
carefully the job description and determine how your background, knowledge and
experience fits best with the job you are reviewing. Customize your resume to that job if
you feel you have the appropriate matching skill sets. If you do not have all the skills sets
at the time, be willing to set mini-goals to gain those skills and update your resume when
you do add additional skills, then reapply to the appropriate jobs available.
c) Online Job Database: Gradually build your profile on various IT and Cybersecurity jobs
such as: www.dice.com, www.monster.com, and www.cyberseek.org and also at the
organizational and company website. Once you setup an Online profile it will make it
easier to reapply in the future for other jobs that are related to your background.
d) Keywords: Make sure you list certain keywords on your resume that matches the jobs, if
you have those skills, so when a HR representative reviews resumes you have the
appropriate terms on your resume that match the job and the algorithms can identify your
skill set. Only do this if you have the actual knowledge and skill can explain yourself in
an interview. Do not do this if you do not have the actual knowledge and skill, since
being asked a question in an interview that you are unqualified to answer is not a good
look for your career and could be detrimental.
e) Continuous Learning: Be willing to engage in continuous learning, studying beyond
your degree accomplishments, since learning never stops and technology continues to
change. Maybe also pursue certifications.
f) Professional Online Business Portfolio and Brand: Continue to build a strong Online
IT, Networking and Cybersecurity Portfolio, through websites such as Linked in for
example, and also your own secure website that shows demonstrations of the creative
work that you have done in the past for clients and other jobs.
g) IT , Networking and Cybersecurity Events, Seminars and Conferences: Be willing to
always continue to attend events, seminars and conferences (in person and virtual) and
actually meet industry professionals. Do a search these events Online at all times.
University of New Haven
Computer Science
Adrian Rusu: By getting involved in internships, co-ops, or other potential real-world experiences in their field of interest, so they can obtain real-world experience beyond classroom during their studies. Generally, employers value graduates who already have relevant real-world experience and who therefore can easier adapt to job requirements.
Adrian Rusu: Soft skills will be important as graduates will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of professionals and customers. Relating to and understanding customers' point of view is critical to their ability to deliver technical solutions that meet customers' needs.
In addition to soft skills, technical skills in high demand and emerging areas of interest will be important. Whether graduates have interest in developing information technology infrastructure, providing information security services, or getting involved in business analysis, they would need to deepen their technical skills in those areas.
Adrian Rusu: Since an Information Systems degree covers a variety of different types of jobs, a graduate beginning their career has a variety of opportunities. My advice is to follow their interests and pursue jobs in their area of interest.
Western Illinois University
School of Engineering and Technology
Hoyet Hemphill Ph.D.: The next K12 job mostly advertised is Technology specialist, and the majority of the skills include knowledge of data visualization tools like google data studio, strong spreadsheet skills. (Google Sheets is preferred.), ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy, excellent communication and analytical skills, knowledge of data analytics, ability to troubleshoot data questions, excellent organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills, excellent client-facing and internal communication skills. Duties most seen include interpreting, summarizing, and communicating data analyses to clients, ability to create forms and strategies to help schools efficiently and effectively collect data, download, review, and interpret school-related data from assessment providers, school spreadsheets, and other systems.
The skills required majorly for the curriculum designer position include understanding by design principles for curriculum design, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, excellent writing skills, ability to create effective and fair assessment methods. The duties include collaborating effectively and extensively with internal and external partners, including content and specialty teams to ensure the curriculum is developed in accordance with all articulated quality standards, overseeing the review/feedback process for all subject curriculum, including coordination of teacher review teams, consensus building, conflict resolution, planning, and decision-making, etc.
University of South Florida
School of Information Systems and Management
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Analytical and problem-solving skills, Strong technical skills, The ability to work well under pressure, attention to detail, teamwork skills, organization and time management, interpersonal and communication skills, management and leadership skills.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Leadership, motivation, communication, conflict management, trust-building, decision-making, organization, and time management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Negotiation, relevant technical skills, prioritization and goal setting, project planning, delegating, and budget management.
Ehsan Sheybani Ph.D.: Software development, technical sales leadership, mobile app development, business analysis, digital marketing, affiliate marketing, analytical reasoning, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and blockchain.
Derek Nazareth Ph.D.: The pandemic will have a lingering effect in several ways. The current holding pattern on hiring that characterizes many organizations will subside as organizations move towards normalcy. However, a number of practices that moved online will remain that way, due to convenience and cost, including recruitment and on-the-job training. Graduates will need to be more savvy in terms of working independently, as well as communicating and collaborating with others in remote fashion. Other practices that organizations were experimenting with pre-pandemic have become more prevalent in some cases. This includes reliance on consultants and external workers as embodied in the gig economy. That would mean more competition for graduates from outside the geographical area. On the flip side, it also offers graduates the opportunity to compete in remote markets.

Dr. Lesley Farmer: Get to know the site before interviewing, and remember that even interviews are an opportunity to practice communication skills-and to see if there's a good match between you and the site. Once hired, learn about the organizational culture and develop trustful relationships. Make one memorable contribution the first month, but focus on becoming an expert before changing others. In addition, join a local and national professional association to keep current and network.

University of Florida
Computer & Information Science & Engineering Department
Peter Dobbins Ph.D.: I have heard points toward the "working remotely" model. As Computer Scientists, this is something we have known and in certain cases actually have been doing for a number of years. Industry shifts adapting to COVID have brought the fields surrounding CS into the remote work model... and are finding it works! As one of the first fields to embrace the model (a simple transition given how natural the fit), CS majors will only continue to find remote work opportunities.
Peter Dobbins Ph.D.: Skills would be the things allowing a student/employee to display their ability to work remotely: initiative, teamwork, independence, self-starter, some of the same things we have always seen were positive attributes.

Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: San Fransico Bay remains on top with Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh closley following.
Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: When the pandemic first hit, I had students very concerned about their summer plans of having an internship, but as things worked itself out, and a lot of students maintained their internship by working remotely. In response to the declining job market, I have seen students redirect their efforts in the direction of graduate school. Many have expereinced difficulties finding job opportunities and "landing" the interview. Therefore more students are considering graduate school as we ride the wave of the pandemic.
Sanethia Thomas Ph.D.: As we are in a competitve market and moreso now due to the pandemic, it is valuable for students to show work experience and how it relates to the job they are applying for. It is a plus if they can show work experience in a remote environment. Students should be able to show that they are capable in working in a team environment and the roles they filled on the team; team lead, technical lead, front end, back end, project manager ect. Students should also have a portoflio of thier work, projects ect.
I often hear employers seek out students who have expereince working in the community or doing some type of social good. Highlighting community/social good works speaks to human side of the applicant, which most employers value.
Jennifer Richardson Ph.D.: The need for problem-solving abilities and adeptness at technology use for communication and training opportunities. If we've learned anything from 2020 it is that we need to be able to pivot at a moment's notice.
Jennifer Richardson Ph.D.: In our field, Learning Design or Instructional Design, there is no shortage of places, anywhere there are corporations and higher education institutions provides opportunities. Military and non-profits also provide opportunities for designers looking in those directions. When it comes to K-12 it is more the skills of technology coordinators and trainers that are sought out, a different balance than other instructional designers might encounter.
Jennifer Richardson Ph.D.: Always the soft skills - they stand out I think first and foremost regardless of where you are coming from and where you are going to. Without the ability to communicate, collaborate, facilitate, and problem-solve it is tough to succeed in today's environment. Experience is also key no matter the position; without prior experience to demonstrate the skills you are indicating you have trained for it is hard for those doing the hiring to know if you have learned the skills or if you have learned and experienced (or applied) those skills. Students should seek out opportunities to apply their skills while still working through their program. I believe going forward with K-12 educators we will see that those that have training or professional development with teaching at a distance will go a long way. Before COVID-19 hit we were already planning a new offering for virtual instruction licensure, it is now garnering a lot of attention.

Bipin Prabhakar: Technology will become a strategic enabler for most businesses. There will be increasing demand for graduates who can help create this technology (Computer Science/Data Science) and for graduates who can leverage technology (information Systems) to create business value.
Bipin Prabhakar: Skills by themselves on resumes do not provide enough information for the reviewer to assess a candidate. The resume has to showcase the actual capabilities rather than just listing skills. What can you actually do with the listed skill? With that said, deep skills in software development, data science and AI or the broad set of skills required to enable digital transformation will be in demand. Digital transformation requires skills in business analysis, business process and process design, technologies such as next generation ERP systems, AI and ML, cloud architectures and platforms and business analytics.
Bipin Prabhakar: There are three major sectors that hire technology graduates - the tech companies that tend to be in tech hubs and major cities, major corporations that are all over the country and consulting organizations that tend to have offices in the bigger cities with access to local clients or well-connected airports. Major employers tend to recruit nationally from the top programs across the country. The best time to find work is before graduation and the best place to find work is the campus recruitment process.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Work at home for now. "You will have an office at the company after the pandemic."
-Transition of companies to new locations. I see some companies leaving the Bay Area for other locations. Reducing space in San Francisco by a number of companies shows that after the pandemic many employees won't be returning to the physical locations they used to work.
-Increased focus on automation and autonomous systems given the proximity issues.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Working on teams and collaboration - people skills matter a lot.
-Past accomplishments in delivering results while working with others
-Technical skills in target areas for job. The hottest areas right now: machine learning, large scale apps, and autonomous systems.
Dale Musser Ph.D.: -Yes, everywhere. IT, CS, and CE are in demand in every corner of the U.S. The hot spots are the tech centers, such as the Bay Area, Seattle, Austin, and Atlanta.
-I tell my students to mostly ignore the job sites and to look at the employment and careers pages on company websites. The best jobs never make it to job sites.
Kate Marek Ph.D.: If possible, find a paid internship in your area of interest, which will help expand your professional network and build your skillset. Use this time to keep scanning job ads to identify skill sets in demand; look for online mini-courses to make those skill sets.
Kate Marek Ph.D.: Choose an organization in tune with one's values. Look for a job in growth areas, such as data asset management, data analysis, etc.

Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: Currently, much of the hiring is skewed toward online fulfillment roles, which is of no surprise given the pandemic. This includes roles in procurement, which is undergoing a transformation due to COVID. This also means working within the physical environments and operations required to support this activity. Several of our students received offers from Amazon as a result of their hiring push.
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: If a student decides to take time off before moving on to a job or graduate school, they should use that time to develop skills in which you may not receive formal training while in college. For example, skills like leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication are going to be more vital than ever in the new norm.
Matthew Liotine Ph.D.: Most employers tell me that soft skills are equally, if not more important, than technical skills or domain knowledge. This translates into external/internal customer-facing skills, such as communication, team collaboration, writing, presentation, problem-solving, and being resourceful. (Many graduates overlook writing as a vital skill, but they fail to realize that in the course of their jobs, they will likely be required to write lots of memos and tons of emails.) The need to perfect these skills within the confines of a virtual world has become even more challenging and amplified with COVID. I teach in the information systems discipline, and when you view student resumes, many people look the same on paper. The soft skills will make a candidate stand out head and shoulders above the rest. That's why the candidate should pay attention to the screening interviews that they will undergo during the hiring process since employers will use these interviews to vet these skills.
Adriane Bradberry: Technology increasingly permeates every aspect of society and provides the foundation for most modern innovation. Young graduates with computing skills will be able to apply to some of the most fastest-growing and highest-paying jobs over the next decade-jobs that are available in nearly every industry, including art, finance, healthcare, and entertainment. Students can establish and develop necessary skills by exploring computing programming apps, taking Computer Science or IT courses (online or at a local community college, if these classes are not offered at school), taking math classes, and joining after-school computing clubs. Graduates who develop these skills will contribute to meaningful work-developing innovative solutions that save lives, solve health problems, improve the environment, and keep us connected.
Peter Dordal Ph.D.: I'm leaving off software developers, and answering about our Information Technology graduates.
IT students entering the business world will need to know how to get the maximum leverage out of business systems. In many cases, this will mean writing their own specialized queries to extract the precise business intelligence needed; general-purpose "canned" queries just won't cut it. They will need a broad understanding of what software can accomplish for the enterprise and how to deploy new software effectively; this applies to software used in the office as well as to software used in manufacturing and shipping. And they will need to understand how to lease storage and computing resources from the cloud to meet not only predictable, long-term demands but also sudden short-term business projects.
Students working in database administration and management will need to be able to manage much larger volumes of data than a few years ago. They will need to be familiar with the great variety of new databases in order to pick the best tool for the job.
Students working in network management will need to be able to ensure that everyone has the bandwidth and server access they need, as those demands expand to include extensive video, low-latency real-time connectivity, and the regular transfer of huge amounts of data.
Students in cybersecurity will need to be fully acquainted with all the recommended best practices. However, they will also have to be able to anticipate and guard against potential new vulnerabilities. "By the book" protection is no longer sufficient.
Peter Dordal Ph.D.: For software developers, yes, there are advantages in working in places where there is a high concentration of other developers. But for students interested in applying IT to business, there are opportunities everywhere.
Peter Dordal Ph.D.: I think the biggest driver for change will be the continued explosive increase in the amount of data available. Ten years ago, it was enough to know customers' names, addresses, and past orders. Now there is a huge stream of information about what customers are looking at, what they are clicking on, what they're doing with your product, and what your customers' customers are doing. Analysis of this kind of information is becoming mainstream.

Dr. Kay-Yut Chen Ph.D.: The pandemic has changed, probably in the long run, of consumer behavior in the U.S. It accelerates the adoption of online shopping and further shifted demand from offline to online. The pandemic has also changed work modality and encouraged working from home. As a result, online retailers and delivery services, like Amazon, Doordash, and Instacart, are experiencing tremendous growth. Note that this shift was going to happen, even without the pandemic. The pandemic only accelerated this trend.
Hence, the best companies to work for are the ones with products and services more in demand. Amazon, Doordash, Instacart on the frontline, and all the technology suppliers, such as HP Enterprise, on the backend. As people are stuck at home, and digital entertainment (video games + streaming) is also becoming more in-demand. That will be another employment growth area, mainly when theaters and large scale in-person entertainment events will be stuck in limbo for a while.
Dr. Kay-Yut Chen Ph.D.: I would predict an increase in demand for graduates in information sciences and related fields in the next few years. The growth has already been strong before the pandemic, as more and more companies were going through or planning to go through digital transformation to stay competitive. While the epidemic did seriously reduce the prospects and investments of some sectors of the economy (such as mall operators), it helps others. The performance of the stock market seems to indicate that the balance is on the positive.
Also, once a safe and effective vaccine is developed (and we have been receiving positive news lately in that regard), the recovering economy will certainly further stimulate the demand for information science.
Dr. Kay-Yut Chen Ph.D.: The traditional tech hubs, such as the SF Bay Area, will still be a magnet for tech opportunities. However, the pandemic has created a work-from-home trend. Many companies, such as Twitter, are allowing employees to work-from-home permanently.
As a result, having all the tech talent to assemble in a few regions is no longer necessary. Living standards, lower taxes, and affordable cost of living will become more critical than before. Places like the Dallas Fort-Worth metroplex, with no state income tax, lower living costs than the SF Bay Area, particularly in real estate. Still, good infrastructure and a vibrant and diverse population will become more attractive.
I would also expect graduates' location will become a less important factor, relatively, compared to skills, talent, and motivation, of finding exciting information science careers as time goes on.

Amal Alhosban Ph.D.: This is a very good question. These are some advice: - Obtain Relevant Certifications - Specialize in High-Demand Areas - Build a Strong Portfolio - Continue Education and Training - Building a robust professional network - Choose the Right Industry