Information Technology Overview

Join the rapidly expanding field of information technology by getting an associate in applied science degree from Southwestern Michigan College. Through SMC’s School of Business, the information technology degree prepares students with the necessary skills to land a job in the high-tech field of computer technology.

Choose from three program options –application development, networking, or computer support – all of which provide the foundation for any business and industry certification. Apply your two-year SMC degree towards a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems through Ferris State University with classes held on the SMC’s campus.

Graduates with the associate in applied science degree in information systems can expect a median salary of $40,000 annually. The associate degree also can be coupled with any number of occupational specialty certifications to expand your career options.

Information Technology Application Development

Career opportunities and advancement in the field of programming and application development are plentiful for students who graduate with SMC’s two-year associate in applied science degree in application development. This degree is ideal for individuals who want to learn about programming.

Computer programmers often are grouped into two broad types – applications programmers and systems programmers. Applications programmers write programs to handle a specific job, such as a program to track inventory within an organization. They also may revise existing packaged software or customize generic applications purchased from vendors.

Systems programmers, in contrast, write programs to maintain and control computer systems software for operating systems, networked systems, and database systems. They make changes in the instructions that determine how the network, workstations, and central processing unit of a system handle the various jobs they have been given, and how they communicate with peripheral equipment such as terminals, printers, and disk drives.

Information Technology Networking

SMC’s associate in applied science degree in networking teaches students the ins and outs of computer networking and hardware support in information technology.

The explosive use of computers in the workplace has created demand for specialists who provide advice to users, as well as for the day-to-day administration, maintenance, and support of computer systems and networks.

Network specialists design, install, and support an organization’s computer systems. They are responsible for local-area networks (LAN), wide-area networks (WAN), network segments, and Internet and intranet systems.

Information Technology Support

Students who want to provide user and software support for a company or organization will find SMC’s associate in applied science degree in information technology support a great career choice.

Computer support specialists provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. This occupational group includes technical support specialists and help desk technicians. These troubleshooters interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems.

Technical support specialists respond to inquiries from their organizations’ computer users and may run automatic diagnostics programs to resolve problems. They also install, modify, clean, and repair computer hardware and software.

Information Technology Help Desk

SMC’s School of Business also offers a certificate in help desk information technology. This certificate provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and abilities that provide career opportunities and advancement in the field of help desk and level one support in information technology. Most of the courses required for this certificate will apply towards the associate in applied science degree in information technology at SMC.

Help desk technicians respond to telephone calls and e-mail messages from customers looking for help with computer problems. In responding to these inquiries, help desk technicians must listen carefully to the customer, ask questions to diagnose the nature of the problem, and then patiently walk the customer through the problem-solving steps.

Help desk technicians deal directly with customer issues and companies value them as a source of feedback on their products. They are consulted for information about what gives customers the most trouble, as well as other customer concerns. Most computer support specialists start out at the help desk.