Our society is currently in the midst of a technological revolution. Almost everyone in the world interacts with some form of technology in their daily lives. Computers are also predicted to take over many jobs ranging from accountants to pilots.
Due to the rapid progress in new technologies, there are many new jobs available in the tech space. In fact, employment for IT-related jobs is projected to rise by 12% by 2028.
You may be wondering how to start a career in tech or if a career in tech is even right for you. Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of working in IT.
Pro: IT Jobs Are Well Paid
One reason that many people decide to pursue a career in tech is that jobs pay very well. Due to the increasing demand for IT professionals and the unique skill set required for the job, salaries in the tech space are higher than average.
According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median wage for IT jobs in 2019 was $88,240. That is $48,000 higher than the median annual wage for all occupations.
Even an entry-level programmer can make around $50,000 a year. Salaries will vary depending on your position, experience and location. Some of the highest paying positions include product managers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and senior software developers.
Pro: There Are a Wide Range of Positions Available
The tech industry is very diverse. There are many different positions available, each requiring a slightly different skill set. If you’re interested in pursuing a tech career, you’re bound to find a position that suits your personality.
Software developers write and test code for computer/smartphone applications. Developers take ideas and turn them into real, working programs. Developers understand how to write and interpret coding languages such as JavaScript, Python, and C++.
Other positions include blockchain engineers, product managers, artificial intelligence engineers, cloud engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity engineers. If your company is looking for IT professionals, check out these computer consulting services.
Pro: Good Job Security
Because of the unique skill set that tech employees possess, they are often in short supply. When a company finds a good software developer or data scientist, they will do anything to keep them.
For example, cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Currently, there is a global shortage of over 2 million cybersecurity experts. Tech companies literally have to fight to secure top cybersecurity talent.
Many other IT occupations are in a similar position. Even software developers, the backbone of any tech company, are in high demand. As technologies grow and expand, so does the demand for people who understand and can work with these technologies.
Pro: Many Opportunities For Learning and Career Growth
The IT industry is constantly evolving. Technologies that were popular yesterday, may be obsolete today. Because of this, tech professionals constantly have to learn and broaden their skill sets.
A requirement of many tech jobs is to stay up to date with the latest developments in the industry. For people working in tech, they cannot afford to stagnate. This can be stressful at times but it also allows for a fun and dynamic career.
Picking up new skills and widening your experience allows for rapid career growth. Tech professionals might find themselves transitioning between different roles as their skills and interests develop.
Con: Tech Jobs Can Be Stressful
There is a fair amount of stress associated with most IT careers. Those working in cybersecurity will always have to be on high alert. They are the ones responsible for protecting the company against hackers and other threats.
Software developers have to meet strict deadlines and this can often mean working overtime. Also, if something goes wrong and the application isn’t functioning as it should, software developers will need to correct the issue.
Errors in software and applications lead to lost revenue. This is why IT specialists must be detail-oriented and capable of fixing mistakes quickly.
Con: People Will Never Understand What You Do
Most IT professionals understand the pain of trying to explain their job to other people. Those who don’t work in tech are much less likely to understand what software engineers and cloud architects actually do.
Most of the language used in the tech industry is incomprehensible to regular people so many people’s eyes will glaze over as you try to explain to them what you do.
It’s definitely frustrating when others don’t understand your career but it’s just something that tech professionals must get used to.
Con: Time Management Can Be Tricky
Most IT workers have to meet stringent deadlines. Because of this, their time management skills need to be on point.
Good planning and organizational skills are essential for those seeking a job in IT However, you also need to be able to improvise. For example, what if one of your servers crash, or there’s an unexpected glitch in your code? In this case, you have to be able to solve problems on the fly.
Many people enjoy the challenge of meeting deadlines and solving complex problems, but this can also make life difficult sometimes.
Con: Long Hours
Many IT-related jobs require employees to work long hours. If deadlines aren’t met, you may need to work overtime to catch up. If a system crashes or there’s a serious glitch in the application, you and your team might have to work through the night to get it fixed.
These kinds of scenarios aren’t common, but they can happen. Working long hours and sleep deprivation is why many tech professionals burn out.
Is Working in IT Right For You?
Like with any career, there are positives and negatives to working in tech. IT jobs are high-rewarding, dynamic, and fun but they can also be tiring and stressful.
It’s up to you to decide whether working in IT is right for you. Do you value a high salary above short working hours? Do you enjoy challenges and solving complex problems? Do you want to work in an industry that is growing and changing all the time?
If so, a career in tech might be perfect for you! If you found this post interesting, don’t forget to share it with your friends on social media.
