What kind of careers can I get in the technology field?

I'm not sure of what you have in terms of Microsoft Certifications but a few Microsoft Certifications that are good to have are Office 365 Certifications, & certs in other products like SQL Server 2014, Windows Server 2012, or SharePoint Server 2013. If your into software development then Microsoft.Net (C#) or Java are great also these certs are in demand by many companies. You can have a pretty good career path if you get the Certs mentioned and some experience on these technologies. One good place to start for a career in Information Technology is landing an IT Service Desk/ Help desk job it will give you a great foundation for learning new programs, working with clients that need help & building experience with troubleshooting programs which will help you in any role you choose later in your IT career. A good start might be checking with your school guidance counselor to see what might be available as far as any school coordinated internships that might be available.

Hi Katie,

Congrats on earning the certifications, it's great to have your hard work and abilities recognized formally.
To hopefully answer your question about the "types of careers" in technology that are out there, the answer really is everything.
Tech is every where. Which means it accepts all types of people & roles. IT managers, sales reps, tech support, enablement teams, product developers, network admins, marketing types, it really is limitless. My best advice for someone who is interested in the industry is to learn as much as you can about various types of technology, including legacy technology. Learn how to code (even if you're not the best, know how to) and be sure to include in your educational and personal path, things that develop your ability to understand & work with people. From there the world is your oyster. Find a technology you can feel passionate about or help take to the next level, or even create.
Best of luck to you & keep up the great work!

Hi,
Wow...I am impressed, 8 Microsoft certifications in 9th grade...that is amazing, good job! :)
It seems like IT/computers and technology is a natural choice for you and that is great...I have worked for Dell, Inc. for over 15 years and I know a little about computers ;) The computer/IT field is wide open, I would say to keep doing what you are doing...certifications, learning and then try to narrow down what you enjoy most in dealing with computers and technology then research that as an education choice and career.
Good luck, you have a great future ahead of your with your certifications! :)

With eight certs right now, you may get bored in the normal computer related fields. My recco would be to try more challenging aspects of computer technology. What do you think of getting a pHD in something like quantum computing? Its a difficult field that promises to be challenging for a long time to come.

Good job on the certifications!

There are so many different things you can get into within the IT field. I will give you just a few areas:1) Project Management: This is the area of technology that tends to encompass all things related to creating new applications, such as development and testing, deployment and maintenance,2) Network Administration: This area deals with the infrastructures and maintenance of computer systems and services within a company/organization. Sometimes this also includes data security (protection from hacking/viruses,etc.) and sometimes security is a separate entity,3) Physical Security: Security systems of buildings and places(logins, logouts, etc.),4) Digital media/Emerging technologies 5) Telecommunications.

These are just a few areas you can explore. Each area has dozens of jobs avialable under them. This is a very general list. There are other area categories as well depending on the nature of the business (i. e. health care, fininancial, IT consulting). I would say your best bet would be to at least find an area you enjoy and explore it in and out to find what works best for you.

Here's a list of some great jobs in the Tech Field:

1. 
   

   IT consultant
   Ranking number 13 on CNN’s most recent Best Jobs in America list, the work of being an IT consultant is as vague as it sounds. In this position, your job is to evaluate the systems and do the research that no one else entirely understands. As CNN puts it, everyone from local startups to the Fortune 500 companies need IT consultants to help them figure out the cheapest and fastest ways to run computers better.
   Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science definitely helps, like most positions on this list. CNN also recommends that an IT consultant specialize in a niche category to help focus on the kind of experience he or she gets.
   Salary: $96,400, according to CNN.

   
   


2. 
   

   Cloud architect
   You’ve heard of cloud computing of course. Although that storage space existing in the ether can’t be touched literally, it still needs to be organized and given an architecture. That’s what this job is for.
   Education: A bachelor’s degree.
   Salary: $112,000, making it one of the highest paying IT jobs.

   
   


3. 
   

   Computer forensic investigator
   Computer crime detectives – The Best Schools reports that computer forensic investigators search for, identify and evaluate information from computer systems, often for trial evidence.
   Education: TBS says that you’ll need a degree in computer forensics, information security or cyber security. Certification from a computer examiner board also helps.
   Salary: $64,000 according to TBS.

   
   


4. 
   

   Health IT specialist
   Health IT is a blossoming field, especially with major changes going on in healthcare due to the Affordable Care Act and the gradual transition to electronic health records. Health IT specialists will mix computer knowledge will record-keeping skills, but specialties in medical coding, billing and cancer registry are also in demand, according to TBS.
   Education: While some health IT jobs require only an associate degree and/or certification, supervisory technician positions call for bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
   Salary: $45,000, according to TBS.

   
   


5. 
   

   Mobile application developer
   Chances are that you and most people you know have smartphones and/or tablet computers. According to CareerRealism, the use of mobile tech is predicted to exceed personal computers at some time in 2013, so businesses are more heavily relying on IT professionals with experience in this field than ever before. Using basic coding languages, developers will create programs for future iOS and Android devices.
   Education: A bachelor’s in software engineering, computer science, mobile computer or related fields, according to TBS.
   Salary: $90,000 with high growth outlook, reports TBS.

   
   


6. 
   

   Web developer
   Web developers are jacks of all trades. They create web pages, web applications and web content, but their skill​ set requires them to have excellent understanding of what makes a good operating system, what the average surfer finds visually stimulating and how to optimize sites for mobile tech, among numerous other skills. They also need proficiency in Web languages, like HTML and Javascript.
   Education: TBS reports that the road to web design can be learned through accredited degree programs, but many web developers are self taught and use their “portfolios” to win positions.
   Salary: $90,000, according to TBS.

   
   


7. 
   

   Software engineer
   Like video games? Want to design the next Facebook? This is for you. Software engineers are behind all the programs we run on our mobile devices and personal computers – and there is a very wide range of niche fields you can work in.
   Education: According to TBS, a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or a related field is best.
   Salary: $89,000 according to TBS.

   
   


8. 
   

   Information technology vendor manager
   Slightly more hands-off compared to some tech positions, vendor managers oversee supply when it comes to software and hardware. This can mean anything from Microsoft’s latest word processor to health IT programs for hospitals.
   Education: Computer science degrees are helpful, but a deep understanding of business or even an MBA could clinch a job.
   Salary: $88,000, reports TBS.

   
   


9. 
   

   Geospatial professionals
   Sound confusing? Geographic information systems are complicated, but exciting and getting moreso every day. GIS tech uses geographic data to evaluate and communicate trends and patterns in visually stylish and comprehensive ways, according to CareerRealism.
   Education: Certificate programs and degrees both improve job outlook.
   Salary: Up to $84,000, according to CareerRealism.

   
   


10. 
    

    Data Modeler
    Another position that translates poorly without jargon, these IT professionals create data designs and define relationships between data fields, according to TBS. Since any company’s data is vital, it’s modeling needs to work perfectly – a more complex task as reliance on computers grows.
    Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, mathematics or IT – plus on-the-job experience, says TBS.
    Salary: A hefty $103,000, according to TBS.