There are more opportunities for IT internships this summer than there were a year ago, according to the results of a Web poll released July 18 by the Computer Technology Industry Association, a trade association representing the business interests of IT professionals.
49.3 percent of responding organizations said they planned to hire IT interns this summer, up from 43.3 in 2005.
“The poll results and other job trend data for our industry clearly indicate that IT as a career path is alive and well,” Neill Hopkins, vice president of skills development for CompTIA, said in a statement.
“The perception for many is that all entry-level IT jobs have gone overseas. The fact is that IT technicians, technical support and help desk positions are among the jobs most in demand today. These types of jobs are often ideal entry points to tech careers.”
While the majority of the organizations surveyed said they will be adding one or two interns, 19 percent of respondents said they planned on bringing on 10 or more summer staff.
CompTIA, based in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., saying it sees an uptick in the need for IT technicians in the field, announced in June an update to its CompTIA A+(R) certification, an international, vendor-neutral certification for entry-level computer science technicians.
“Its more than repairing a PC. Todays IT worker needs a broad base of technical, business and communications skills to be effective and productive,” Hopkins said.