Entry Level IT: Five Roles to Kickstart Your Career

Finding beginner roles in IT is becoming easier everyday with many companies shifting towards a more training-focused employment strategy. This is fantastic for those looking to start an IT career as it means there are more options available from the outset with a lower barrier to entry.

If you’re wondering how to start your IT career, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be exploring five entry-level roles with huge potential for progression as well as the steps you can take to get started.

1. IT Support Specialist

If you’re looking for job stability, then IT support is perfect for you. As an entry-level support specialist, you’ll be able to train on the job, getting first hand experience of working with IT systems while also performing a vital job role that’s in very high demand.

Furthermore, once you develop some experience and management skills, you’ll be well on your way to a lucrative career, heading up your very own department. Alternatively, the skills you’ll learn here are highly transferable, so you’ll have no problem jumping to another IT career path if this one turns out not to be the best fit.

2. Trainee Cybersecurity Analyst

While it might not be the most common beginner role in IT, if you’re someone who’s okay with shouldering responsibility and doesn’t mind facing a tricky learning curve, then there are plenty of departments willing to take on a cybersecurity trainee. In 2024, every company needs decent cybersecurity and, working as a cybersecurity analyst, you’ll get a broad insight into how various networks and systems operate on a day to day basis.

If you’re looking for an evergreen IT role that’s only going to become more valuable in the years to come, then cybersecurity is the place to be.

3. IT Field Technician

Not too dissimilar to IT support, as a field technician you’ll be a problem solver tasked with tracking down bugs in systems you may not be familiar with. The key distinction here is that, in a support role, you’ll be working for one company and you’ll be able to grow familiar with that company’s system and its unique quirks.

As an IT field technician, you’ll be out and about. This is amazing if you’re someone who enjoys stimulating challenges but not great if you’re looking for something that’ll feel comfortable and familiar on the day to day. All the same, experience as a field technician has the potential to open many doors in the long run, making it one of the most valuable beginner roles in IT.

4. Junior Software Developer

So far we’ve looked at analytical roles that require a lot of on-the-go problem solving, but now let’s turn to a more creative IT career – software development. If you’re someone who enjoys building your own systems and creating things from scratch, then software development is an amazing career path.

As a software developer you’ll be able to build products that empower end-users. You’ll also be developing a skill set that will open doors both to traditional and freelance roles as well as independent work. It’s also a great career path for making progress as you’ll be able to directly point towards your previous work showing concrete examples of your skillset to future employers.

5. Junior Data Analyst

This last role is possibly the fastest growing field in the IT space and one that, at least in the short term, could prove incredibly lucrative.

Now, data analysis has always been a highly sought-after field. From scientific and technical projects to market research, data skills are useful in almost every industry. That being said, at this particular moment, data analysts are more valuable than they’ve ever been and the reason for that comes down to one word: AI.

Over the last couple of years, the AI boom has swept across every industry and while the future of these new technologies is still uncertain, there’s no doubt that a lot of money is currently being poured into data collection and analysis. Of course, it’s also worth noting that, should the AI bubble burst, the current influx of demand for data analysts could ultimately devalue the role in the long term.

All of this to say that while there will always be a demand for data analysts, it’s hard to know whether that demand will continue at present pace or not. All the same, if this is a role that appeals to you, then it’s an excellent industry to get started in.

Still not sure how to find the best entry level IT job roles? With a Mentor, you could get training and advice about how to kickstart your IT career. They can teach you the ins and outs of the role and they can help you through the interview process giving you valuable tips and tricks from their own experiences. Sign up to Career Navig8r today to get started!