Information Technology Infrastructure Engineers

Participate in software development and general computer science summer exploration programs that are offered by high schools, colleges and universities, and park districts to build your skills and obtain experience.

Get involved in student competitions to build your abilities and meet people who share your interests. National competitions are offered by SkillsUSA, a membership organization for middle school, high school, and college students who are interested in pursuing careers in technical, trade, and skilled service occupations. It offers Information Technology Services, Computer Programming, Cyber Security, the Internet of Things (IoT), and other competitions. Visit https://www.skillsusa.org for more information. Ask your computer science teacher to suggest local competitions.

Join the Technology Student Association (https://tsaweb.org), which will provide you with a chance to explore career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and participate in summer exploration programs. The association offers a variety of competitions for high school and middle school students. Recent IT-related competitions included Coding, Video Game Design, Engineering, Cybersecurity, Data Science and Analytics, Engineering Design, Software Development, and System Control Technology.

Participate in information interviews and job shadowing experiences with infrastructure engineers to learn more about the field.