It wasn’t long ago that a degree was a sure way of securing your job in IT. While degrees are still important, they may not always be mandatory. Companies are starting to prioritize hands on skills and real world experience over just a degree. Currently with this scene, getting into IT without a degree isn’t just possible, but slowly becoming more common.
As more and more companies are dropping the degree requirements and focusing on what really matters; skills. If you can solve problems, think critically, and pick up new tools quickly, then there’s definitely room in the field.
Skills Are the New Degree
Today, skills speak louder than diplomas. Employers look for people who can troubleshoot software issues, manage network connections, or set up secure systems—many times, the teams doing this are small so actively showing these skills in your resume is more important than just a degree.
Hiring managers are actually prioritizing real-world experience. According to CompTIA’s 2024 Workforce and Learning Trends report, 47% of IT hiring managers said they value certifications and hands-on skills more than college degrees.
Build Your Skills With Online Courses
Online education has opened the doors to many. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy and Google Career Certificates offer programs from fundamentals to cybersecurity and even cloud computing. Adding in a course can greatly affect the direction of someone’s career.
These courses can be completed in a few months at a fraction of the traditional cost.
Get Certified and Get Hired
Certifications act as proof of skills and commitment.
Top 4 Most Valuable Certifications:
- CompTIA A+ – Covers the fundamentals of IT support, troubleshooting, and security.
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate – Designed for beginners and widely recognized by employers.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals – Great for those looking into cloud services.
- Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) – Entry-level networking certification.
If you’re starting out or looking to add a little extra under your tool belt then these are worth a look, they can lead to great opportunities in IT.
Experience Is Currency
The power of practice is really what employers are looking for. Are you familiar with the field? Have you done something like this before, do you know what you’re doing and can you do it independently? Ultimately experience is the most important thing in a resume, and I get it; it’s difficult to start jogging the track if you haven’t been given a track to start.
How do you get this experience?
Look for that internship, ask around, volunteer for nonprofits, contribute to open-source projects, or take on freelance gigs to build your portfolio. Anything that will get you that initial experience that you can add to your resume. If you can show you’ve solved real problems—even if unpaid, add it to your work experience—that experience will stand out more than a bullet point under “Education.”
Top IT Jobs You Can Land Without a Degree
Here are the most in-demand IT jobs that don’t require a degree.
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IT Support Specialist
- Average Salary: $57,000
- Troubleshoots tech issues, sets up workstations, and supports users. Help Desk Technician
- Average Salary: $49,000
- First line of support for software, hardware, and connectivity issues Network Support Technician
- Average Salary: $62,000
- Installs and maintains network systems and hardware Systems Administrator (Junior)
- Average Salary: $69,000
- Manages servers, installs updates, and ensures system stability IT Field Technician
- Average Salary: $54,000
- Provides on-site support, repairs, and maintenance for IT systems Technical Support Analyst
- Average Salary: $60,000
- Analyzes system performance and assists with tech troubleshooting Cybersecurity Support Analyst (Entry-Level)
- Average Salary: $72,000
- Monitors systems for security threats and supports security operations.
P.S: Help desk and support roles are particularly friendly to career switchers. They often serve as the first step into IT, offering a chance to learn on the job, build your resume, and move up quickly.
Get it!
Focus on building skills, obtain certifications, and gain experience wherever you can. Ultimately persistence, experience and adaptability is the triforce of getting a tech job. If you’re self-taught, certified, or coming in from a completely different industry—don’t count yourself out, just keep going.