An information technology specialist applies technical expertise to the implementation, monitoring, or maintenance of IT systems. Specialists typically focus on a specific computer network, database, or systems administration function. Specialty areas include network analysis, system administration, security and information assurance, IT audit, database administration, web administration, and more.
Certification Requirements
Education requirements vary depending on the IT specialty. While some IT specialists work their way up with professional certifications, most experts begin their careers with an information technology degree at the associate or bachelor level. IT certifications are useful for building specialist expertise and staying up to date on the latest advances in a specific area of information technology.
Distance learning is a type of education, typically college-level, where students work on their own at home or at the office and communicate with faculty and other students via e-mail, electronic forums, videoconferencing, chat rooms, bulletin boards, instant messaging and other forms of computer-based communication.
Most distance learning programs include a computer-based training (CBT) system and communications tools to produce a virtual classroom. Because the internet and web are accessible from virtually all computer platforms, they serve as the foundation for many distance learning systems.
