Explore the Endless Possibilities of an IT Career through New Dream IT Video from CompTIA

Students, parents, teachers and counselors can access free career resources from the leading IT industry nonprofit association

News provided by

CompTIA

Aug 26, 2015, 10:30 ET

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 26, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- New career resources designed to reinforce the message to pre-teen and teen-age girls and young women that "there's a place for you in IT" have been introduced by CompTIA, the information technology (IT) industry association.

The new resources – including a new career video and discussion guide – are part of Dream IT, a program led by CompTIA's Advancing Women in IT Community. The Dream IT message: IT is a great place for women and girls.

"When it comes to career opportunities, the IT industry offers endless possibilities," said Nancy Hammervik, senior vice president, industry relations, CompTIA. "But the challenge for our industry has been getting that message in front of our youth. Dream IT aims to address that challenge."

The new Dream IT video highlights the large variety of career opportunities available in IT. The video includes personal stories of women who are thriving in tech-related jobs and facts and figures on job opportunities, salaries and career paths. To watch the video visit http://youtu.be/8wveDXPg59w.

Overcoming Misperceptions
Women held just over 25 percent of computer and mathematical occupations in the United States in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Research by CompTIA has shown that young people generally, and girls and young women specifically, have little initial interest in technology careers. But their interest in IT perks up noticeably when they learn more about the career options available to them.

"IT as a career choice has been plagued for too long by perception problems and stereotypes; that it's a boring job, a job for geeks who prefer to work alone, that only men can succeed in IT, or that all IT jobs are at risk for outsourcing," Hammervik asserted.

"This view is outdated and wrong," she continued. "Unfortunately it persists among many of the adults who influence our teens' career considerations – parents, teachers, counselors and mentors."

The reality is that IT industry employment continues to expand at a faster rate than many other industry sectors. In Q2 2015, nearly one million core IT job openings were posted by U.S. employers. U.S. tech industry workers earned an annualized average wage of $104,000 in 2014, according to CompTIA's Cyberstates 2015 report. That's more than double the average annualized private sector wage of $49,600 in 2014.

Dream IT resources are designed to raise awareness among students – especially girls – that their interests and strengths can translate into a rewarding career in the technology field. The materials are ready-made for use by any classroom teacher, career counselor, community group or social organization. There are also opportunities to hear directly from a Dream IT speaker.

To learn more about Dream IT or to get involved in the program visit www.comptia.org/DreamIT.

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SOURCE CompTIA