Overview of Technology
Technology is the use of scientific knowledge for practical purposes or applications leveraging data, machines, equipment, and/or software.
Computer programmers turn designs created by software developers and engineers into sets of instructions that computers follow, which result in word processing programs, social media platforms, browsers, and more that people use every day.
Get details on the salary and job security of these Technology careers:
Get Career Ready for Technology
Find out what it takes to land a career in Technology
Earn a Degree
To work in the field of Technology, it is recommended you have a strong background in information technology, cybersecurity, computer science, software development, data science or related technical areas. Check the George Mason Catalog for degree requirements.
Along with your degree, professional certifications like these may increase your employment options:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Foundational)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- Google Certificates: Cybersecurity, AI Essentials
- Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate via Coursera
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Coursera x Mason Career Academy
- If you have an interest in international technology careers, consider the Foreign Affairs IT Fellowship: https://www.faitfellowship.org/
Specialized knowledge and training in these technical skills are in high demand:
- Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals
- Network Administration & Troubleshooting
- System Administration
- Scripting & Automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash)
- IT Support & Technical Troubleshooting
- Responsible AI Usage & Literacy
- Database Fundamentals (SQL)
- Web Development Fundamentals
- Communication & Customer Service
Gain Experiences
Employers expect at least six to twelve months of related experience to be competitive for full-time positions. Gain experience while you are a student at George Mason.
Students can also build experience through technical projects, help desk roles, cybersecurity labs, cloud practice environments, student organizations, and open-source contributions.
Here are the types of experiences most valued by Tech employers, and where to find them:
Internships/Jobs
- Handshake — Check out the following collections:
- Great for College of Engineering and Computing (Handshake login required): https://gmu.joinhandshake.com/stu/collections/23370?collection_type=jobs
- Parker Dewey
- Tech Careers
- Wellfound
- USAJobs
- Dice
- Virtual Internships
Projects
- Academic projects: Ask your professors about research projects.
- Capstone projects: Consult your academic advisor about capstones in your department.
- Personal projects: Build your own websites, apps, portfolios, or technical solutions.
Challenges/Competitions
Market Your Skills
It is important for you to be able to clearly communicate the knowledge, skills, projects, and experiences you have gained in and outside of the classroom.
Below are top ways to showcase your qualifications to Tech employers:
Resume
- Undergraduate-level Cybersecurity resume sample (docx)
- Undergraduate-level Information Technology resume sample (docx)
- International Graduate-level Computer Science resume sample (docx)
Online Portfolio
A portfolio gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your skills, projects, and experience in a visual format (e.g., code, database design). Examples may include code, websites, cybersecurity labs, technical documentation, or UX projects. Here are a few resources where you can share your work:
Interview
Interviewing well is key to standing out with technology employers—and the best way to build confidence is through practice. Use InterviewPrep, George Mason’s free virtual mock interview tool, to explore industry-specific interview questions and sharpen your responses at your own pace.
- Register for an account at InterviewPrep using your George Mason email.
- Once you're logged in, use the following code to access a curated interview set for this career area: [zz2k9bnVkpYn]
Technical Interviews
- Technical Interview Guide
- Most Common Technical Interview Questions
- ChatGPT Prompt Suggestion:
- “I am interviewing for this job [paste entire job description here]. Can you give me a list of questions I could be asked based on the job description?”
- “Based on this job description, what technical skills, tools, and projects should I be prepared to discuss in the interview?”
Career Ready
Career ready George Mason grads have gone on to work for Tech employers, such as:
| Amazon Web Services | CGI | GDIT |
| Booz Allen Hamilton | Deloitte | Leidos |
| Capital One | Freddie Mac | Lockheed Martin |
Join the Technology community
Get involved with academic and professional societies to grow your network while you're still a student.