It’s no secret that the demand for information technology (IT) professionals is growing on a global scale. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment in computer and IT professionals is projected to grow “much faster than the national average” between 2022 and 2032. This makes IT a desirable career path for those who enjoy working with computers and information systems.
While many of the job openings in this industry involve working out of a centralized office or help desk, the reality is that more remote positions are also popping up across the globe. This means that if you’re interested in IT and are intrigued by the idea of working from home, there could be some exciting opportunities available to you.
So, what exactly does the landscape of remote IT work look like and what kinds of job openings are available? With a better understanding of potential work from home IT careers and what they entail, you can determine whether you might be a good fit for this type of work.
Understanding the Landscape of Remote IT Jobs
These days, it’s becoming increasingly common to find remote work opportunities. This trend first began to emerge out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic, where stay-at-home orders forced businesses to shut down their brick-and-mortar locations. To keep business going, many companies had to get creative by shifting many of their in-person roles to remote or work-from-home positions.
As the pandemic continued, many of these same businesses realized that employees could successfully work from home while saving companies money. Today, it is estimated that more than 20 percent of Americans will work remotely by 2025.
The world of IT is no exception to this shift, as has been seen in recent years. Flowlu, states that for remote work, “In 2024, the computer and IT sector leads the way.” Today, IT professionals can provide a wide range of services without even having to leave their home offices. From technical support and programming to remote cybersecurity and web development, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Not only do remote IT positions save businesses money, but they also make many IT services more accessible to those who can’t necessarily afford to hire their own full-time IT staff.
H2: Remote IT Jobs: Opportunities and Scope
No matter where your specific interests in IT may lie, there’s a good chance you can find remote work opportunities that allow you to put your skills to use without leaving the comfort of your home. Some of these roles may come in the form of independent contractor jobs, whereas others may be part- or full-time jobs with benefits and salaries.
One of the most popular types of remote IT jobs are those that involve providing IT support and software development services.
Remote IT Support Jobs
More businesses these days are hiring remote IT support technicians, which are professionals who assist companies with a wide range of IT services from afar. On any given day, you might help businesses with setting up software and hardware, answering questions about computer systems or operating systems, and even servicing networks from a home office. You might field questions via telephone, video chat, or email as you help employees troubleshoot problems and resolve issues.
Working as a remote IT support technician can be a rewarding job because you are constantly putting your expertise to use to help others. Meanwhile, because more businesses are realizing that working with remote IT support professionals is a lot more cost-effective than hiring full-time IT teams on-site, the demand for these remote workers is steadily increasing.
What do you need to succeed as a remote IT support specialist? At the very least, you’ll need to have a formal degree in IT or a related field (such as computer science), along with the following skills:
- Strong communication skills
- Excellent time management
- Problem-solving skills
- Technical proficiencies (programming, cybersecurity, etc.)
In some cases, employers may also require IT support specialists to have specific certifications under their belts as well. This can vary greatly from one employer to the next.
Exploring Remote IT Support Careers
Remote IT support roles, such as those involving IT consulting and cybersecurity, are also becoming popular as more businesses and organizations shift to work from home positions. With a better understanding of what these positions entail as well as the skills and qualifications required to tackle these roles, you can determine which may be the more suitable path for you.
Online IT Consulting
In general, businesses hire IT consultants when they need help evaluating and improving upon their existing IT systems. As a remote IT consultant, you may be responsible for performing infrastructure maintenance and optimizing IT systems from your own home office. This could include everyday tasks like diagnosing infrastructure vulnerabilities and proposing recommendations for new technologies or process improvements.
While some entry-level roles in IT support or junior consulting can help build foundational skills, advanced IT consulting often requires a deep understanding of IT infrastructures, cybersecurity, reporting, and troubleshooting. Many professionals in these positions hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field, along with practical experience.
Remote Cybersecurity Positions
Unfortunately, cybersecurity attacks continue to be a serious problem across the globe. In fact, according to a recent State of Cybersecurity Report, up to 66 percent of small- to medium-sized businesses have reported that they have experienced a cyber-attack within the past year. From phishing attacks to Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks and security breaches, the reality is that businesses of all sizes and scopes need to prepare for the possibility of an attack.
This is why many businesses are now turning to remote cybersecurity professionals to bolster their security defenses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for cybersecurity specialists has grown significantly. This demand increase is cited as being driven by the rise in cyber-attacks and the shift to remote work. These professionals handle tasks like security audits, penetration testing, and making recommendations for improving on-site security. They also assist with recovery efforts following an attack or attempted breach.
If you’re interested in this type of role, you’ll need a solid background not just in IT, but in cybersecurity best practices as well. In some cases, you may also need experience with ethical hacking and related skills.
Embracing Work-From-Home IT Careers
Being able to work from home as an IT professional can offer rewarding opportunities. Some remote IT roles may provide greater flexibility than traditional office jobs, including options for more dynamic schedules or project selection, depending on the specific role and employment arrangement.
IT Freelancing
Another possibility to consider when it comes to work from home IT careers is that of freelancing, where you aren’t tied to a traditional employer. Instead, you can work as your own boss and take on your own independent clients as you see fit.
As an IT freelancer, you have the complete freedom to dictate your own rates, set your own schedule, and more or less work as your own boss.
If you’re thinking about getting into freelance work as an IT professional, you’ll want to take some steps to differentiate yourself from your competition. This may include pursuing additional certifications in IT, as well as building a strong online presence with a website and social media following. All of this, in addition to maintaining an up-to-date portfolio of your work and skills, can help you find new clients and ultimately thrive as a freelance IT worker.
Online Technical Assistance Careers
Another possible work from home position to consider in IT is that of remote technical assistance or tech support. Many businesses these days hire remote technical support specialists to help their clients and customers troubleshoot common problems via live chat or over the phone.
Working in online tech support may be right for you if you enjoy helping others and have strong communication skills. You’ll also need to have a high degree of patience to succeed in this line of work, as some of the customers you are helping will have little to no experience with technology.
Navigating the World of Remote IT Opportunities
If you like the idea of being able to work from home (or from just about anywhere else) while earning a living and doing something you truly enjoy, then it may be time to pursue your bachelor’s degree in information technology.
At Florida Technical College, we offer a 36-month bachelor’s degree program in information technology with an emphasis in cybersecurity online. Precisely, this program is designed to prepare students for both in-person and remote IT work with courses covering such topics as IT consulting, programming for security, networking fundamentals, and more.
Interested in learning more about this program or any of the other programs offered by Florida Technical College? Get in touch today to request more information!
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
Sources
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
https://www.ftccollege.edu/request-information/
https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/business/hr-payroll/remote-work-statistics/
