![[Featured Image] Woman starts a job in an IT role at a new company](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4JWDGXWls9qUiTivqc0Ksl/e8b958be00f9e7cdbad4c821dfe54387/iStock-1176251115.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Status: Featured
7 IT Career Paths and How to Get Started in 2025
Working in IT can mean a variety of different things. You can work in computer support, cybersecurity, data, cloud computing, and other areas.
May 6, 2021
Article
IT
Learn more about the skills and certifications you need for a career in IT support, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and more.
![[Featured image] A person in a blue button-down and black cardigan holds a blue folder and sits at a desk with a laptop and two monitors.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/53xRQ0CAMlfmPHeIwPSA2S/6c62dcfb76f40dc8c1e9d3ac01257de8/Cybersecurity.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured image] A systems administrator in a gray shirt holds a tablet while standing between rows of black electrical equipment.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4j1kvXZ0NQ82wrIAj99Wm8/d4d96da50d84a9e0f1890cca4019b2f5/GettyImages-580501705.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A man sits at a laptop in his home office and studies so he can earn his CCIE certification.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/01Jv4Gg76p77YEOtGYb7aZ/695ad24a58b33e07c767519ec590377f/GettyImages-1152429937.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Male college students uses computer to learn the benefits of having a CGEIT](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/UQmhJYNf74qu4HT1vOsti/0014ee4533f177b58f546d588c7c4055/GettyImages-1313131421.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A group of employees meets in a conference room with smartphones and notebooks to go over information from their cybersecurity jobs in Maryland.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2tZV0GxhL0KTTBUeCW7HAq/edad8de3320193bfe4086595873a7a12/GettyImages-142741665.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
Explore popular IT courses
Skills you'll gain: IT Security Architecture, IT Infrastructure, Network Security, OSI Models, Systems Administration, Microsoft Windows, Information Systems Security, Package and Software Management, Technical Support, Network Troubleshooting, Computer Networking, Operating Systems, TCP/IP, Disaster Recovery, Lightweight Directory Access Protocols, Cybersecurity, Threat Modeling, Desktop Support, Software Installation, Help Desk Support
Skills you'll gain: Computer Networking, IT Infrastructure, Network Troubleshooting, OSI Models, Systems Administration, Network Security, Routing Protocols, Cybersecurity, Microsoft Windows, Cyber Attacks, Security Strategy, File Systems, Disaster Recovery, Lightweight Directory Access Protocols, Remote Access Systems, Linux, Technical Support, Help Desk Support, Information Technology, Software Installation
Status: [object Object]
Microsoft
Skills you'll gain: Microsoft 365, Network Security, Cloud Management, Microsoft Azure, Business Software, Computer Hardware, Virtual Machines, Identity and Access Management, Cybersecurity, Network Troubleshooting, Desktop Support, Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Azure Active Directory, Technical Support, Hardware Troubleshooting, Hardware Architecture, Generative AI, System Monitoring, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Disaster Recovery
![[Featured Image] A penetration tester who works remotely uses a laptop to participate in a video call with a colleague for her cybersecurity in the oil and gas industry job.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/2RZ2csGYKh9Igb5ryqgHTT/f00da85991fcf9b27d2558b666fefd2d/GettyImages-1368382409__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman sits on her sofa and researches the differences between Comptia A+ vs. Network+ on her laptop.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/0HEuojFzfW0YuKr3pP03I/99924a3e4b4bd90e3f8649d359dc69fe/GettyImages-597317639.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A group of three employees carrying folders and briefcases walk outside toward a building where they perform their cybersecurity jobs in Las Vegas.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4UpHj96ttxk264VgjckyGb/6696434cd417aa3499161664562973ce/GettyImages-1938538496.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Two software developers sit at a computer and review information for their public sector cybersecurity jobs.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4xGxdTDowiHzbcnEhkJen1/c7840000a71023f91ce561fd02e8e0a5/GettyImages-867421026__1_.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Feature Image] After reading a cloud computing job description, an aspiring cloud professional gets ready to apply for their first job in the field.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4LHe3CFKJoWbyjq25gr54Y/5a2edf5bb637bc5af9786371c412a655/GettyImages-1314788327.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A student meets with a professor in a classroom to ask how to learn information technology skills like data analytics and visualization.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6zxg6UuOFWvWmyEQ0C6Rwo/a21ee5a86b0307d29e966579c0213334/GettyImages-1681107895.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A public safety dispatcher, one of many civilian DOD jobs, uses a laptop and headset to take a call.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/27QRo3sVVB0XzsgktZJLYX/844dd24f123478b2ae70988b75470741/GettyImages-1456583865.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] A woman answers Comptia A+ interview questions during a job interview.](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/S7XrJDgduI4usjAPD5Agz/12dd7fa32383a41f449288c34c40da2f/GettyImages-498384865.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
![[Featured Image] Male solutions engineer uses a whiteboard to discuss business matters with coworkers](https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/6A43ivul0KASgfnQ1Na16j/aed48743c80aa5063bb05a51fe82fa55/GettyImages-1373293834.jpg?w=330&h=216&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive)
The world of IT offers a variety of career paths in diverse industries. An IT professional can specialize in cybersecurity to keep computers and businesses safe, cloud computing to make information easier to access, or in help desk roles to assist in the everyday functions of an organization. With so many options and opportunities available, it can be tricky to know where to start. On Coursera, you'll find expert resources to support your goals, whether you're just starting out or are ready to take the next step in your career. Explore information technology topics, including:
