The global information technology industry, which is one of the fastest growing industries in the world, will be worth approximately $5.2 trillion by 2020. It’s trillions. As more people choose to pursue lucrative IT jobs, this industry is expected to grow at 3.7% annually by 2020. You might be wondering, “What IT career is right”?
No matter what your career path is, IT offers a wide range of skills that can be used to benefit from any industry. You can find thousands of courses and programs online that you can use for almost any IT field. You only need to decide what path you want. Are you a web developer or a systems administrator? Are you a systems administrator? Game programmer? Another job? There are so many career options in IT.
This overwhelming amount of choices can lead to overwhelm if you are new to the industry. How do you choose the right IT career? How can you tell what your strengths and weaknesses are?
We will be happy to answer your questions and provide career advice that can help you succeed in IT.
Main IT Branch
You won’t be able to sing if you aren’t good at it. You won’t be able to find a job in chemistry lab if chemistry isn’t your strongest subject. The same principles apply to IT. You must be familiar with your strengths, weaknesses and preferences in order to choose the right career.
What are some of your favorite activities? Which personality type are you? Are you a visual, creative person? Are you a good organizer and like to put things in order? Are you a problem-solver and a thinker? These questions can lead you to other areas of IT that may be appropriate for your needs.
Although it might seem like there are many IT jobs available, the industry is very diverse. You can learn more about the various IT branches that you may be interested in by looking at your skillset.
Software development is a term that everyone is familiar with. Software engineers are responsible for creating, developing and implementing software applications for many electronic devices. This branch is all about code.
Software development is a great career choice if you are good at mathematics, logic operations, algorithms, problem solving, and can quickly pick up programming languages. There are many programming languages to choose from. You can also specialize in web, mobile, or game development.
- IT Security
IT security is very similar to software development but with a stronger focus on cybersecurity. You would assume the role of an IT security analyst or specialist. Your job is to plan, implement and monitor various security measures. You might be responsible for encrypting data and developing security controls.
White-hat hackers, also known as ethical computer hackers, are a challenging and exciting job in IT security. They are hired by companies to hack their systems and expose security flaws. Although it sounds like something from a Hollywood movie this job is actually available in the IT industry.
- Data analytics
IT has a lot to offer data engineers, business intelligence analysts, business architects, and other data science positions. This area requires skills of the organizational type: researching problems, planning solutions and classifying information.
Data organization does not have to be limited to the IT industry. Data analysts can be successful in marketing, healthcare, and other industries. Depending on their future plans, IT workers will need to be proficient in programming languages, system administration, databases, as well as other aspects of software engineering.
- Design and animation
We can move from the back-end programming to more creative activities by offering a variety of titles such as web designer and video game designer, UI developer, digital artist, 2D/3D animator, and many more. These tech careers require less logic than programming, but are more rooted in creativity and artistic thinking. But, you can’t function without the other.
The world of animation and design is open to anyone who can use a drawing tablet and knows how to use Photoshop. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t an expert in this field, but it won’t take long to become proficient enough to get a job.
- Testing
Software, whether it be a game, an app, or a website can’t be released to the general public without being properly tested. Quality assurance engineers and test engineers are responsible for creating testing procedures that make sure there aren’t too many bugs before software is released. They must be organized, have an eye for detail, and be able to follow test procedures.
A tester could also participate in other types of reviews depending on their position. These reviews include software design reviews and tech specification reviews. A tester does not need to have the same level of programming knowledge as a developer. They should be familiar with the basic programming languages used in the software they are testing.
Hybrid Positions
Although we attempted to include as much as possible of the IT industry, this list is not exhaustive. Because IT is an all-encompassing industry, it is almost impossible to list every job opportunity.
Can a person be both a UI designer and a back-end programmer? They can. A graphic designer can also serve as a tester. Yes.
While you are looking for the right career path, you don’t have to choose one. If you are open to freelance work, hybrid positions may be available. You might be asked to do the job of both the developer and the designer simultaneously.
We recommend that you choose the path that you are most comfortable with and then explore other IT areas once you have mastered it.
Career Test
A career aptitude test can help you get a better idea of where your strengths lie. A series of questions will help you discover your strengths and where you excel if you decide to pursue it. Although a career quiz might not be accurate 100% of the time, it will give you an idea of your strengths and potential talents.
A few online aptitude tests can give you an idea of your potential career path. However, it is best to consult professionals if you are looking for a definitive answer about which IT career is right for you. The free career evaluation on MyComputerCareer takes only 10 minutes and is very valuable if it helps you see where you are now compared to where you might be if IT were your passion.
Bottom Line
It’s not easy to change careers. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when faced with new skills and certifications and having to start over.
There’s no reason to feel that way, especially when it comes down to IT. Anybody, regardless of age or background, can pursue professional IT development and be extremely successful. This is true whether they want to be a project manager, help desk technician or leader in product management. There are many options available, including software development, data analytics, testing and cybersecurity, as well as design and animation. You just need to take your pick, and get started on your IT goals.