Skills for IT: What Capabilities Are Required to Work in IT?

By Dr. Novadean Watson-Williams  |  11/03/2025

The information technology (IT) industry is a dynamic, constantly evolving field that demands diverse and adaptable skill sets. The IT skills this field requires include both technical knowledge and soft skills, including:

• Programming languages
• Data analytics
• Data analysis techniques
• Computer science
• Information technology
• Operating systems
• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
• Cybersecurity
• Cloud computing
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Project management
• Desktop software development

Software development, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity continue to shape the tech industry and other industries. As a result, IT practitioners must be well versed with the knowledge to tackle a wide range of challenges. They must also continue to refine their information technology skills to remain competitive and relevant in the business world.

How Do IT Practitioners Develop Information Technology Skills?

Becoming an IT professional offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact on the world. An IT professional has a wealth of IT skills and is capable of applying them creatively and strategically to address:

• Industry and user needs
• Technical concerns
• Management requests
• Organizational goals

Depending upon their field of interest, many IT professionals complete a degree in computer science, network security, enterprise software development, or database management. This degree may be in the form of a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree.

In addition, they earn certifications from:

• The Computing Technology Industry Association® (CompTIA)
• The Project Management Institute® (PMI)
• Cisco®
• Microsoft®

Through work experience and internships, IT professionals can further solidify their knowledge. If necessary, they may even seek top-secret clearance. This type of clearance is highly valuable depending on the type of projects they are assigned.

Key Specialization Areas for IT Practitioners

IT practitioners have the option of choosing different areas of specialization. For example, some of the most useful areas to know include:

• Data analytics
• Cloud computing
• Computer science
• Information technology
• Communication

Data Analytics

IT practitioners specialize in a wide range of areas, including data analytics. Data analytics specialists apply their technical skills to:

• Analyze data
• Optimize it
• Generate findings
• Codify data into meaningful information that drives decision-making and predicts trends

Understanding data science requires a knowledge of specific skills such as:

• Data structures
• Statistics
• Optimization
• Programming
• Inference
• Visual analytics

IT professionals utilize their data analysis capabilities to efficiently and effectively process vast amounts of data while maintaining information security. This data processing involves leveraging artificial intelligence, computer databases, machine learning, and other tools.

Data analysts complement their IT skills with strong communication, project management, and other essential soft skills. These skills enable them to collaborate effectively with:

• Users
• Stakeholders
• Software developers
• Software engineers
• Other IT professionals in various industries

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is another specialty area for IT professionals. It involves designing and implementing enterprise software systems that are built on distributed computing and service-oriented architecture.

Cloud computing professionals are trained in areas such as:

• Data management
• Cloud security
• Mobile systems and applications
• Server administration
• Web development

They work very closely with databases, web services, mobile applications, and cloud platforms. IT professionals majoring in cloud computing will also need to empower themselves with both technical and non-technical skills, such as interpersonal skills, to succeed in the ever-evolving information technology industry.

Computer Science

Pursuing a degree in computer science, according to the Institute of Education Sciences, involves learning computer theory as well as the hardware and software that support computer systems and user interfaces. IT professionals apply the principles of computational science and system development methodologies to create, test, and maintain a system. In addition, they address technical problems with result-driven solutions.

Technical skills, such as proficiency in programming languages, can help a computer science specialist solve complex problems. However, this type of professional is far more effective when there is a balance of both technical and soft skills, such as teamwork and critical thinking. These skills enable better communication and collaboration with stakeholders while addressing their needs.

Information Technology

A good foundation in information technology can enable an IT practitioner to seek work in one of several fields, including:

• Technology
• Business
• Government
• Entertainment
• Education
• Science
• Medicine
• Transportation

Information technology skills are needed to ensure IT practitioners can ensure technology success and prevent IT failures. These IT skills involve:

• Coding
• Configuring servers
• Managing cybersecurity protocols
• Using specialized tools such as Linux®, SQL, VMware®, Amazon Web Services (AWS®), ServiceNow®, and Nmap®
• Maintaining data integrity
• Using virtualization platforms and operating systems
• Ensuring workflow automation, system reliability, and IT service management

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills are also expected in IT professionals to enable them to solve problems effectively.

Communication

As with most interpersonal skills, being able to communicate effectively is an essential IT skill to gain. These communication skills complement project management skills and problem-solving skills, which are used during the design, development, and implementation of software development projects and other related projects.

In the workplace, face-to-face communication associated with written channels is key to building strong personal and professional relationships. Good communication also ensures that messages are clearly understood, particularly during critical activities such as:

• Negotiations
• Contract signing
• Performance evaluations
• Mentoring opportunities
• Providing and receiving feedback

Furthermore, communication skills are particularly crucial for coordinating tasks and ensuring that projects meet deadlines. In addition, they help with achieving missions, goals, and objectives, and project awareness on a larger scale.

With the development of various tools and platforms, professionals in the IT field have been able to complement their communication skills with more advanced technologies. As a result, these technologies have elevated collaboration and interaction among users and stakeholders, leading to more effective progress.

Potential IT Career Paths

There are numerous industries that employ IT practitioners. Many individuals who have IT skills work remotely and may be employed as a:

• Computer technician
• Systems analyst
• Database, IT or network administrator
• IT consultant
• Project manager
• Technical support manager
• Webmaster
• Web developer
• Digital designer
• Computer and information research scientist
• Software developer
• Software engineer
• Quality assurance analyst
• Tester
• Computer architect
• Network and computer systems administrator
• Computer programmer
• Information security analyst
• Computer systems analyst
• Computer support specialist
• Database administrator
• Database architect

Generally, the IT profession attracts people who possess IT skills and can adapt easily to frequent changes and upgrades. These professionals detect defective codes and learn new software with ease. They don’t mind repairing and maintaining systems, have acute attention to detail, and can innovate to solve problems and improve efficiency.

The Future of IT

Opportunities in the IT career field will continue to grow. The IT world is constantly evolving, and IT practitioners must still produce enviable results.

Building a career in IT requires a diverse set of relevant, important skills that span technical expertise, time management, and problem-solving. IT professionals must be competent and skilled in managing data, resolving technical issues, and streamlining projects to optimize efficiency.

Specific IT skills are increasingly important, especially for entry-level roles. These skills include:

• Artificial intelligence
• Intrusion detection
• Information security
• Dataset analysis

Online courses and hands-on experience with development projects offer valuable opportunities to acquire essential IT skills and gain practical experience for professional development. By staying current and building upon their existing knowledge through ongoing education, IT practitioners can acquire the knowledge and skills to seek careers in the constantly changing IT industry as well as other related fields.

The B.S. in Information Technology at AMU

For adult learners interested in acquiring IT skills and knowledge and learning about new technologies, American Military University (AMU) provides an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. In this degree program, students will take courses in Python®, information system design, object-oriented design and human relations communication. Other courses include database concepts and web analytics.  

For more information about this degree program, visit AMU’s information technology degree program page.

CompTIA is a registered trademark of the Computing Technology Industry Association, Inc.
The Project Management Institute is a registered trademark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.
Cisco is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc.
Microsoft is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
VMware is a registered trademark of VMware, LLC.
AWS is a registered trademark of Amazon Technologies, Inc.
ServiceNow is a registered trademark of ServiceNow, Inc.
Nmap is a registered trademark of Nmap Software, LLC.
Python is a registered trademark of the Python Software Foundation.