The Information Technology Profession: A Day in the Life

The information technology profession, or IT, is an umbrella term for careers related to running, maintaining, and protecting digital systems. For example, IT network technicians install software and security protections on a company's computers, and help desk administrators communicate with clients to troubleshoot problems with their devices. Looking at a day in the life of an IT professional can help you decide if the career is a good fit for your lifestyle.

A Day in the Life of an IT Professional

Depending on your specific role and the company you work for, your day might look a little bit different. In general, this is what you can expect in a day as an IT professional.

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

You can start your day by catching up on communications: checking emails and messages from team members and clients about IT-related queries or problems. It is also helpful to review the status of each item on your to-do list to prioritize them and determine where to begin.

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

For the rest of the morning, work on high-priority tasks. These can include activities like:

• Coding and programming: Develop new software features and fix bugs in existing code.

• Troubleshooting: Figure out why devices aren’t working properly, clean up viruses, replace cables, and restore lost files.

• Software development: Create and implement new technologies and systems.

• Maintaining security: Manage cybersecurity and data privacy.

• Teamwork: Collaborate with other departments to ensure smooth operations.

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The end of the morning is a good time for team meetings to discuss the progress of projects, identify potential roadblocks and issues, and determine timelines for each team's tasks. Take this opportunity to collaborate with other developers to ensure quality code and consistency across projects.

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lunch breaks are a time to step away from work to eat, recharge, and disconnect so you can have a fresh mind for the remainder of the day. It’s also a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues and build rapport with new people.

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Once your most urgent tasks are complete, you can dedicate your afternoon to less critical tasks and longer-term projects. These can include:

• Coding and programming: Test and run code to make sure it’s working properly.

• Troubleshooting: Respond to service tickets, such as updating software on clients' computers.

• Improving your knowledge base: Research new technologies and potential digital threats to stay ahead of the curve.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Join a team meeting to discuss the progress of long-term projects, share updates, and discuss challenges and deadlines. More than half of all IT professionals attend one or two meetings a day. You might also attend a virtual training session or conference to brush up on skills or learn about new tools and techniques.

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Most IT professionals finish work between 4:30 and 6 p.m. The last hour of the day is great for wrapping up outstanding tasks and updating progress on a personal or team tracker. You can also use this time to get a head start on planning out your next workday.

Next Steps

Check out MedCerts's full catalog of IT training programs to learn more about possible roles you can pursue and how to get started in the profession of IT. Take our quick online quiz to find out if short-term career training is right for you.