Featured Career Pathway

Technology & Cybersecurity

Explore careers in cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, systems administration, software development, cloud systems, and information governance.

Technology and cybersecurity careers continue to grow across the United States and globally.

Technology careers support business operations, healthcare systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity operations, cloud environments, and federal programs across a rapidly growing global workforce sector.

Many technology pathways support remote, hybrid, and globally distributed work environments.

Why This Pathway Matters

Technology careers can begin through certificates, workforce training, associate degrees, bachelor’s programs, military experience, certifications, and hands-on technical work.

Technology skills support cybersecurity operations, cloud systems, communications, healthcare systems, infrastructure, enterprise operations, and digital services across nearly every industry.

For CIRI shareholders and descendants, this pathway connects education and training to careers supporting cybersecurity, cloud systems, technical infrastructure, software engineering, information governance, and workforce development opportunities across federal and commercial environments.

Why Technology Careers Stand Out

Remote & Hybrid Work

Many technology careers support remote and globally distributed work environments.

Strong Workforce Demand

Cybersecurity, cloud systems, software engineering, and infrastructure roles continue to grow nationally.

Multiple Entry Points

Careers can begin through certifications, college programs, military experience, or workforce training.

Transferable Skills

Technology skills transfer across healthcare, energy, infrastructure, commercial, and federal sectors.

Build a Career in Technology

Technology careers go well beyond cybersecurity. Whether you are drawn to problem-solving, building things, protecting systems, or organizing critical information, there is a pathway that fits. Here are four disciplines where demand is high and the work makes a real difference.

Cybersecurity

Protect the systems and data that organizations depend on every day. Start as a Cyber Analyst and build toward roles in security operations, governance and compliance, industrial control systems, digital forensics, or security architecture.

Where you could start: Cyber Analyst, SOC Analyst

Where it can lead: Principal Cyber Analyst, Cyber Architect, SOC Lead, Forensics Specialist

Explore Cyber Career Pathways (NICCS) →

Software Engineering

Design, build, and maintain the software that powers everything from web applications to data pipelines. Start as a Developer or Intern and grow into application development, DevSecOps, data engineering, or technical writing.

Where you could start: Software Developer, Development Intern

Where it can lead: Principal Software Architect, AI/ML Engineer, Senior Developer, QA/Test Lead

Explore Software Careers (BLS) →

IT Infrastructure

Keep networks running, servers online, and systems secure. Start at the Help Desk or as a System Administrator and specialize in network engineering, cloud and server administration, or network operations.

Where you could start: Help Desk Technician, System Administrator

Where it can lead: Principal Enterprise Architect, Cloud Architect, Database Lead, Operations Manager

Explore IT Careers (BLS) →

Information Governance & Records Management

Manage the records, data, and documents that organizations are required to maintain. This work is essential in government, healthcare, energy, and any regulated industry. Start as a Records Technician or in Document Control and advance into data governance, digital imaging, or information architecture.

Where you could start: Records Technician, Document Control Specialist

Where it can lead: Data Governance Lead, Information Governance Specialist, Principal IG Architect, Records Program Manager

Explore Records Management Careers (BLS) →

Project Management and People Management are parallel career tracks available in all four disciplines. You do not have to choose between growing technically and growing into leadership. Both paths are open at every level.

Featured in Fund Your Future

Career Spotlight: TCF Alumni in Technology

Patrick Johnson

TCF Alum • OSC Technical Solutions Systems Administrator

Education

Information Technology and technical workforce training

Entry Point

IT support and technical systems experience

Patrick supports enterprise technology systems and infrastructure operations through systems administration, technical troubleshooting, and IT support work.

CIRI Ecosystem Connection

OSC Global

OSC Global provides technology, cybersecurity, information governance, engineering, and operational support services across federal, commercial, and healthcare environments.

Technology careers connected to OSC include cybersecurity, systems administration, cloud systems, software development, technical operations, and information governance & records management.

Cybersecurity & IT

Support cybersecurity, enterprise systems, cloud services, and infrastructure operations.

Software Development

Build and maintain software systems, applications, and operational technology solutions.

Information Governance

Support information management, compliance, records systems, and digital operations.

Training and Technology Pathways

Technology careers can begin through certifications, technical programs, college pathways, military experience, apprenticeships, and workforce training.

Many technology careers can begin through certifications, workforce training, military experience, associate degrees, or hands-on technical support roles.

IT Certificates

Entry-level pathways supporting technical support, networking, cybersecurity, and systems operations.

Associate Degrees

Build technical foundations in information technology, networking, and infrastructure systems.

Bachelor’s Programs

Prepare for advanced technical, cybersecurity, software development, and leadership roles.

Workforce Certifications

Build technical skills through industry-recognized certifications and workforce development training.

Certifications That Open Doors

Industry certifications prove your skills to employers before you walk in the door. The certifications below are recognized across Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and commercial employers. They build on each other, so you can start with a foundation and add more as your career grows.

Typical Certification Progression

Foundation

CompTIA A+
↓
Network+
↓
Security+

Specialization

CySA+ or CCNA

Advanced

CASP+ or CISSP

Start Here: Build Your Foundation

These three certifications are the building blocks for any technology career in federal or commercial environments. They are designed to be taken in order, with each one building on the last.

CompTIA A+

Covers hardware, operating systems, and troubleshooting. This is your entry ticket to help desk and system administration roles.

CompTIA Network+

Covers networking fundamentals, including how data moves across systems. Many employers require this before Security+.

CompTIA Security+

This is the single most valuable certification for entering federal IT and cybersecurity work. It satisfies the Department of Defense 8140 baseline requirement and is expected across Department of Energy site contracts. If you earn one certification, make it this one.

Choose Your Track

Once you have your foundation, these certifications let you specialize based on the career path that interests you most.

Cyber Track: CompTIA CySA+

Focuses on security analytics and threat detection. Validates the analyst skills needed for SOC, GRC, and ICS/OT security roles.

Infrastructure Track: Cisco CCNA

The industry standard for network engineering positions. Covers routing, switching, and network operations.

Cloud Foundations: AWS Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure AZ-900

Cloud skills are increasingly expected across every discipline. Either of these certifications demonstrates foundational cloud literacy.

Reach Higher

These certifications represent advanced career milestones. They take time and experience to achieve, but they open the door to senior technical and leadership positions.

CompTIA CASP+

Recognized at DoD 8140 Level III for advanced technical leadership roles.

ISC2 CISSP

Widely considered the gold standard in cybersecurity. Requires five years of professional experience, but it is the credential that defines senior positions.

The CIRI Foundation can help. TCF scholarship support covers exam fees and study materials for qualifying candidates. If you are ready to start earning certifications, reach out to learn how TCF can invest in your path.

How Certifications Connect to Careers

Each certification maps to specific career pathways. Use this guide to match the right credential to the career you are building toward.

Certification Career Pathways Why It Matters
CompTIA A+ IT Infrastructure Entry ticket to help desk and sys admin roles at any federal site
CompTIA Network+ IT Infrastructure, Cybersecurity Required foundation before Security+ for many employers
CompTIA Security+ All four pathways DoD 8140 and DOE site baseline; opens every federal cyber door
CompTIA CySA+ Cybersecurity (SOC, GRC, ICS/OT) Validates analyst skills; prerequisite mindset for CASP+
Cisco CCNA IT Infrastructure (Network Eng.) Industry standard for network engineering positions
AWS CCP / AZ-900 IT Infrastructure, Software Eng. Cloud literacy increasingly expected across all disciplines
CompTIA CASP+ Cybersecurity, IT Infrastructure DoD 8140 Level III; advanced technical leadership
ISC2 CISSP Cybersecurity (all advanced roles) Gold standard; requires 5 yrs experience; senior positions

Explore Cybersecurity Resources

Explore certifications, workforce pathways, cybersecurity career outlooks, and technical training resources.

CyberSeek

Explore cybersecurity career pathways, workforce demand, salaries, and certification maps.

Explore CyberSeek →

CompTIA Career Pathways

Review certification pathways and technology career development resources.

Explore CompTIA →

NICE Framework

Learn about cybersecurity workforce roles, skills, and specialty areas.

Explore NICE →

Find Technology Training Near You

Technology pathways may include certificates, workforce training, associate degrees, bachelor’s programs, and industry certifications. Use these tools to compare programs before enrolling.

These tools can help compare Alaska and out-of-state programs.

Find Training Programs

Compare training programs by location, cost, completion rates, and graduate earnings.

Search Training Programs →

Compare Colleges

Compare colleges by field of study, cost, location, graduation rates, and earnings after school.

Visit College Scorecard →

Explore Career Outlooks

Review career descriptions, education requirements, pay ranges, and job outlooks.

Explore Career Outlooks →

Ready to Get Started?

You do not need a four-year degree to start a career in technology. Many of these roles are accessible through certifications, community college programs, and on-the-job training. The most important step is the first one.

Questions? Contact TCF:
Call: 907-793-3575
Email: tcf@tcfak.org

Content prepared in partnership with OSC Technology Solutions, a CIRI subsidiary specializing in cybersecurity, software engineering, IT infrastructure, and information governance for the Department of Energy and commercial critical infrastructure.

External resources are provided to help users explore options. TCF does not manage the programs listed on external websites.

Technology pathway content includes information provided by OSC Technology Solutions, a CIRI subsidiary specializing in cybersecurity, software development, IT infrastructure, and information governance.

Explore Funding Opportunities

TCF provides scholarships for eligible applicants pursuing technology education and career training.

Looking for funding support? Explore TCF scholarships and education resources to help support your next step.

Call: 907-793-3575
Email: tcf@tcfak.org

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