Best IT Classes in Charlotte
While computers and technology are used for countless purposes in almost every industry, the term, “information technology” (IT) refers specifically to professions that seek to unify business and technology. In fact, the term was first coined in 1958 as a way to differentiate business tech from related fields, such as computer science, which focuses more on creating technologies than actively using them to solve business problems. Utilizing tools like computers and networks, talented IT workers help companies save time, prevent and solve problems, and even make better business decisions. It’s little wonder that so many companies today elect to work with an in-house IT team. The majority of IT teams include team members with job titles and responsibilities, making it even easier to streamline work.
In addition to the classic IT support that most people are familiar with, IT includes a multitude of different business tech services. This is a huge perk for companies who are juggling a lot, and equally great for IT professionals because it means plenty of lucrative careers to choose from for people with different interests. While IT support workers center their careers around fixing tech problems, you can also opt to specialize in cybersecurity, coding, or work closely with electronic data. A few of the most common IT roles include IT Support Technician, IT Project Manager, Software Engineer, Cybersecurity Engineer, Business Analyst, and IT Architect.
Does one of these careers sound like it’s right up your street? Prepare for success by learning software and hardware skills at a local IT class in Charlotte. Your chosen career may also require additional skills, such as business analytics, project management, or network administration, and many classes cover these subjects as well.
Best IT Classes & Schools in Charlotte
Like other cities across America, Charlotte is practically bursting at the seams with IT classes that can help you build skills both online and in-person. With so many options available, you can easily find a course that fits your learning style and schedule. What’s more, depending on whether your interest in IT is casual or career-bent, you can choose between short classes and more intensive career training programs.
Need something a bit more flexible? At every phase in your learning journey, Noble Desktop offers high-quality online courses that come with interactive instructor support and plenty of hands-on skill building. You can opt to explore a stand-alone skill by participating in classes like the Excel Bootcamp or set yourself up for career success with longer programs like the Software Engineering Certificate and Data Analytics Certificate. These comprehensive training programs match you with an expert mentor who can help you build a well-rounded skill set and even coach you through a job search.
If you’re planning for a career in data, the American Management Association (AMA) is one of the top online resources for analytics classes. AMA allows you to chunk your learning into shorter classes by starting with introductory courses like Business Analysis Essentials before diving into more difficult topics. Trainees and professionals alike will have plenty to learn in advanced classes such as Business Analysis in Agile Projects (ICP-APO) and Advanced Tools and Techniques for Data Analysis.
Are you a teen who wants to pursue an IT career? Thanks to NextGen Bootcamp, you can start developing the skills you need to succeed before you graduate from high school. Programs like the Python: Data Science And Machine Learning Bootcamp for youth offer online training during the summer so that you don’t have to worry about fitting classes in around your high school schedule.
If you’re a cybersecurity professional who wants to level up by taking a certification exam, consider attending an online prep course through TLG Learning. In addition to classes focused purely on preparing for exams like the Network+ Certification Exam and CompTIA Security+ Certification Exam, they also offer thorough career training programs aimed at specific careers, such as Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) and Microsoft Security Operations Analyst.
Charlotte Industries That Use IT
While IT is considered a key industry in Charlotte on its own, its wide-ranging applicability has allowed IT to permeate each of Charlotte’s other core industries. In addition to improving commerce and business, IT professionals are upgrading defense, healthcare, biomedical research, and finance from the inside out.
Technology
In America's second-fastest-growing IT community, talented pros are elevating businesses of all kinds through improved efficiency and safer data management. The city is a popular spot for company headquarters, hosting 14 Fortune 500 companies, including names like Lowe’s, Duke Energy, Amazon, and Microsoft, along with plenty of smaller tech start-ups. Other major tech employers include companies like IBM, Passport, and Google.
Healthcare and BioTech
In addition to relying on cybersecurity to protect vital patient information, hospitals, and biomedical research facilities throughout Charlotte benefit from IT services like data analytics and machine learning to keep things running smoothly. In addition to local HealthTech companies and medical facilities like Atrium Health, Charlotte hosts three Tier 1 research universities, where innovations in health research are carried forward by careful data management.
Financial Services
As America’s third most sizable banking hub, Charlotte is saturated with FinTech opportunities and is going steady at more than 91,000 active financial services jobs. In the Charlotte area, Wells Fargo employs more than 25,000 workers, followed closely by Bank of America and LendingTree.
IT Jobs & Salaries in Charlotte
While some may discount IT as a dry and analytical subject, major corporations understand that IT services lead to more customers, greater efficiency, and safer data. As a result, companies put forward over 3.6 trillion dollars for IT services in 2020 alone, and the level of demand is projected to expand by 10% each year through 2029. If you’re looking for a career with a 0% unemployment rate, IT subfields such as cybersecurity have plenty to offer.
Annually, IT professionals earn comfortable salaries averaging roughly $100,000, nearly $55,000 more than the U.S. average for other occupations. With dozens of potential career paths, however, IT salaries often differ based on your unique job title and skill level. That said, IT Support Technicians at the lower end of the salary grade still earn between $46,000 and $64,000 annually in Charlotte. Meanwhile, expert IT Directors can earn as much as $296,000.
Other high-yield IT roles in Charlotte include Cybersecurity Engineer, System Administrator, Application Manager, Software Engineer, IT Architect, and Data Engineer. If you’re looking to secure one of these roles, you can sift out less relevant opportunities on ZipRecruiter, Glassdoor, and Indeed by filtering with keywords like the following:
- Business Services
- Information Technology
- DevOps
- Big Data
- Cloud Computing
- Blockchain
- HealthTech
- Machine Learning (ML)
- FinTech
- Software
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Augmented/Virtual Reality
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- AdTech
- Ecommerce
- Digital Media
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Web Development