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What is a junior information technology specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Ranganathan Chandrasekaran,
Alexey Kolmogorov Ph.D.

A Junior Information Technology Specialist is responsible for installing, configuring, servicing, repairing, and maintaining information technology systems. He/She supports the development of software through life cycle planning or implementation practices. He/She helps with determining the deliverables and scope for assigned projects by collecting, identifying, and organizing detailed user and information technology requirements. Additionally, he/she prepares system documentation, maintains security, and implements business continuity controls. Also, he/she uses metrics to measure key project requirements and monitor performance.

A minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent with at least two years of experience in a related role is required to qualify for this position. Applicants must possess any or all of the following certifications: IAT I, A+CE, Net+CE, MCTS, or CcNA, among others. You must also have analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills. Junior information technology specialists earn $22 per hour. Their salary falls between $38,000 and $55,000 per year, with an average of $46,256.

What general advice would you give to a junior information technology specialist?

Ranganathan ChandrasekaranRanganathan Chandrasekaran LinkedIn profile

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois

As we roll into another month of the COVID-19 pandemic, graduating students are facing one of the worst moments of their lives. They face several uncertainties; due to financial challenges, uncertainty about completing their degrees on time, adjusting to online and hybrid modes of learning, and worst of all, facing the worst job market. As a result, I see the stress and anxiety levels among the graduating students to be significantly higher, at levels I have not experienced in my academic career.

Several businesses have been hit hard by the pandemic, and they have rolled back their offers made to students for internships and jobs. Businesses have also resorted to downsizing and layoffs, and we are likely to see that continue, at least in the near term. However, two sectors that are showing promises of a quick turnaround are technology and healthcare.

It might take many months for the economy to get back on track, but the demand for information systems graduates is likely to grow, as a large number of businesses have turned to increased use of technology in this pandemic period. As more companies go digital, we need more professionals to manage the remote-work, technological infrastructure and meet the other demands of the business. Students pursuing education in information systems, computer science, and healthcare are going to be in greater demand.

On the positive side, the uncertainties induced by the pandemic have also helped students to prepare themselves better for a tougher job market. I found many students rise up and use the lockdown period to have a serious introspection and invest their time and effort in upgrading their knowledge and skills. The internship drought and rescinding of job/internship offers brought their dreams crashing down, but I found several students to quickly get over their disappointments, and engage in improving their skillsets utilizing the pandemic lockdown as an opportunity. I am aware of many students, especially in the information systems disciple, who spent time doing online courses, completing certification programs, and take up DIY projects on data analysis, developing analytical and forecasting models, and visualization of various aspects of the pandemic. The pandemic has resulted in massive amounts of data, released by several organizations worldwide, that have provided a stimulant for students to indulge in DIY-projects. I had several students approach me over summer to do some projects, and we have done some interesting projects using public datasets related to COVID-19.
ScoreJunior Information Technology SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.6

Avg. Salary $46,556

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.41%

Asian 13.16%

Black or African American 12.40%

Hispanic or Latino 14.50%

Unknown 5.26%

White 54.27%

Gender

female 19.23%

male 80.77%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
6.7

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.4

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Junior information technology specialist career paths

Key steps to become a junior information technology specialist

  1. Explore junior information technology specialist education requirements

    Most common junior information technology specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    50.0 %

    Associate

    38.1 %

    High School Diploma

    7.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific junior information technology specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Troubleshoot19.69%
    Switches12.40%
    NAT10.91%
    Hardware Upgrades10.18%
    Network Services6.82%
  3. Complete relevant junior information technology specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New junior information technology specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a junior information technology specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real junior information technology specialist resumes.
  4. Research junior information technology specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Configure, manage, monitor, and troubleshoot computer systems, application/filer server hardware, operating systems, and peripheral equipment.
    • Configure and install routers and switches, diagnose issues, and maintain firewall.
    • Install hardware including routers, switches, modules, and other componets when need.
    • Collaborate with other development teams to provide quality support to Java MQ series application.
  5. Prepare your junior information technology specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your junior information technology specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a junior information technology specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable junior information technology specialist resume templates

    Build a professional junior information technology specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your junior information technology specialist resume.
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
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    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
    Junior Information Technology Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for junior information technology specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a junior information technology specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first junior information technology specialist job

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Average junior information technology specialist salary

The average junior information technology specialist salary in the United States is $46,556 per year or $22 per hour. Junior information technology specialist salaries range between $37,000 and $57,000 per year.

Average junior information technology specialist salary
$46,556 Yearly
$22.38 hourly

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Junior information technology specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Pros

You get to help a lot of people in many different ways as well as learning new things about technology

Cons

I have aids now due to the painfulness of sitting down all day


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

I decided to go to technical support because I've been fascinated by technology all my life and I love working with the people as well. I want to use my technical know-how to solve directly the problems that customers have. I want to be the person who makes life easier and more enjoyable for people who have had a problem. This is what I like most as a technical Support.

Cons

I don't like sitting around being inactive. So I'll keep my self always busy


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2020
Pros

I enjoy the challenges and learning new things . Technology is always evolving.

Cons

Customer is unwilling to provide you with necessary information in order to assist them.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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