Over the years, the demand for IT professionals in government sectors, particularly at the State, Local, and Education (SLED) levels, has grown significantly due to digital transformation and modernization efforts. The more our world is evolving, the more need there is for IT professionals in numerous industries. Availability and hiring have become more prominent for government jobs in IT. Jobs, such as IT managers, machine learning engineers, site reliability engineers, and software developers, are increasingly needing more attention because of government progression. There are many roles to choose from to get a government job in IT. Although a government job in IT is in high demand, meeting certain requirements and qualifications to ensure that someone is a good fit for a role in IT makes attaining a position highly competitive as well.
Keeping Up With IT
With constant change and innovation in our society, the IT world evolves rapidly and employees in this industry must keep up with the changes to obtain or maintain a government job in IT. Continuous learning is what all IT professionals should focus on. There is great importance placed on keeping skills up to date so that IT professionals are able to adapt to the newest digital transformations.
Requirements and Qualifications To Land a Government Job in IT in SLED
Depending on the area of focus in IT, the skill set needed will vary. Typically, most government jobs in IT require at least a bachelor’s degree in fields like computer science, information technology, cybersecurity, or related disciplines. In some cases, for more specialized roles, such as IT management or senior cybersecurity roles, a master’s degree in a related field can be beneficial. Some certifications can be required for specific duties in IT, for example for specializations in cloud computing, Microsoft Azure, and AWS, or project management professional (PMP) training.
Competitiveness and Strong Vetting Protocols
Along with requirements and qualifications, securing a government job in IT can be lengthy and competitive due to the various other areas that must be completed for consideration. Someone who desires a government job in IT must pass multiple rounds of screening, security clearances, and, exhibit patience for the whole process! There is much that comes with landing a job in IT, but if someone follows through the necessary steps, the ability to obtain the role can be very likely. Working with a staffing firm that specializes in connecting talent for government IT roles in SLED can accelerate this process as they have a deep understanding of the protocols and procedures in place.
Pathways Into Government IT Jobs
As important as education is, experience can often be appealing to an organization that is hiring a new employee for a government job in IT. Even if someone doesn’t have experience in a high-status role, they can acknowledge other alternative entry paths to get their foot in the door, such as internships, fellowships, apprenticeships, or contract work with government agencies. Having any experience in government IT, no matter the level, can foster room for growth and expand the opportunity to excel within an industry.
For example, Veterans are a great source of talent for working in tech for the public sector: they are aware of how the processes work, have often passed thorough screening procedures already, and are familiar with government procedures, terminology, etc.
Another pathway towards obtaining a government job in IT can be as simple as working with a staffing agency that specializes in government IT contracts. Using an agency can be a very rewarding and educational experience in finding multiple options for your interests and capabilities, while also giving you an area to effectively solidify a role.
Current Most In-Demand Tech Jobs
In IT, there is a variety of positions and roles available that highlight certain technology skills. The current most in-demand tech jobs include the aforementioned jobs, as well as computer network architects, DevOps engineers, information security analysts, data scientists, and computer systems analysts. All these positions are integral to government IT initiatives and are valuable to the industry. Prosum is dedicated to helping fill these roles within the government industry.
Overall, even with the competitiveness and meticulous vetting process, a government job in IT in a SLED environment can be rewarding and offer stability in the job market. Staying abreast of innovation and emerging technologies is a critical first step.