IT in Industries
IT is found in every industry, helping businesses operate in a 21st century way. Some industries rely more heavily on IT professionals to help them stay efficient, safe, and forward thinking.
While a computer programmer may do the same tasks in multiple industries, the context for that work may be very different. Understanding the roles of IT within specific industries can help you make decisions about your future employment or training.
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Government
IT in government typically focuses on user support for existing IT systems, development of information systems, security of information assets, and efficiency to reduce costs. Most states have their own, overarching IT agency which monitors and governs the information technologies for all branches of state government. Additionally, each state agency has a functional IT department to manage their internal information technologies.
On a federal level, IT can be found as its own department or agency within the larger branches of government. For example, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Commerce each have their own IT divisions and teams responsible for different aspects of information security and management. On a city or county level, IT is incorporated into the regular business operations of the local government, functioning much like other businesses.
Computer specialists employed in government in Minnesota: 4,220
Top Minnesota employers:
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Health Care
IT professionals in health care are busy bringing this large industry into the electronic age. These IT workers focus on standardizing health care records into electronic form, ensuring the secure sharing of medical information, managing electronic processes for business operations and insurance processing, and integrating new technology into health-care practices. IT professionals in this field can help improve patients' experience by improving their care or reducing errors. Positions in health care will typically be at hospitals, clinics, or insurance companies.
Computer specialists employed in health care in Minnesota: 8,624
Top Minnesota employers:
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Manufacturing
IT experts are an important part of manufacturing, just as efficiency and product development are an important piece of this industry. By helping create network infrastructures, communications tools, and monitoring and sensing equipment, IT can save companies money and keep things running smoothly as well as helping to create a better product. IT also factors into the sourcing of raw materials, transportation of goods, and other logistical support.
Computer specialists employed in manufacturing in Minnesota: 8,480
Top Minnesota employers:
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Software Services
IT professionals in software services develop products and programs to help solve real-world problems. This industry employs IT professionals to design, program, support, and analyze software programs to help users achieve better outcomes. They develop software to help answer a variety of problems and functions. These firms hire many types of IT professionals, from sales and marketing positions to managers and project coordinators to workers in software application engineering and development.
Computer specialists employed in software services in Minnesota: 20,882
Top Minnesota employers:
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Retail
IT careers in the retail sector focus on the point-of-sales model. They are needed to help build, manage, and implement computer systems and networks to monitor sales, supply-chains, and inventory. The technology behind electronic payment is also a major factor in today's retail technology. IT is also used to enhance a company's business model by helping to improve efficiencies and operations, and by providing the technological resources to help the business make decisions and keep growing. Security is also vital as companies aim to protect their data, methods, and practices to keep their competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Computer specialists employed in retail in Minnesota: 920
Top Minnesota employers:
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Legal & Law Enforcement
Up-to-date and accessible information is vital to the legal field, whether it's in law enforcement or the courtroom. IT in these fields is used to investigate, provide, or protect information. From information clearinghouses that manage, package, and distribute information for legal use to forensic IT investigators that collect evidence, IT has become a stronger factor in legal work.
Computer specialists employed in legal and law enforcement in Minnesota: 284 (legal only)
Top Minnesota employers:
