As the IT industry has grown, so have the educational opportunities related to it. The curriculum isn't always the best way to see how a field is changing, but in the modern world of information technology, the rules that make that fact obvious in most fields don't apply very often. In fact, unlike fields like medicine, the current IT industry is built around the idea that technological advances are only valid and successful when they are recognized and accepted by everyone. Because of this, IT courses are often up-to-date with the latest developments. Competition between educational providers also helps to keep the courses on the cutting edge.
More universities are starting to offer specializations in the field of IT, which is the start of a new trend. IT and computer science programs with specializations are becoming more popular than ever, but IT and education haven't always gone together so well. Not too long ago, the curriculum for computer science could be summed up in two words: network administration and programming. Large-scale IT implementations of hardware and software were done by technicians who were certified by Cisco or Microsoft. After college, but before trying to get a job, these were the certifications that people looked for. Now that setting up and running server-based intranet systems isn't as mysterious as it used to be, most IT professionals go straight from a cap and gown to business casual with few or no stops in between. This is possible because the way education looks at information technology has changed a lot.
Most schools are moving toward a more varied curriculum that includes basic IT skills and focuses on one area of specialization. Schools are changing to meet the needs of businesses in the job market. From setting up infrastructures to making sure systems are safe, a field of study that used to be limited to one or two courses now takes up a whole degree program.
The result of these changes in the educational landscape regarding IT is indeed a direct reflection of changes in the workplace. As alterations to the structure of IT management have occurred, so have evolutions in the way IT personnel are educated and trained.
