It can be stressful to start a new career or choose between several career options in the IT Industry. It can be frightening to change careers after a certain age. It may be necessary for some. Many of the jobs that are currently being lost to automation are at risk. Even though technology actually creates more jobs than it deletes some industries, like transportation and manufacturing, still see net negatives.
However, the same cannot be said for the Information Technology (IT), industry. This sector is probably the largest beneficiary, along with the media and entertainment industries. As the tech sector grows in size every year, tech jobs are at an all time high. The skill gap in tech is huge and will only get wider. This makes IT-certified and skilled professionals an asset to every organization. Information Technology job seekers have many opportunities.
IT isn’t a utopia like other industries. It has its pros and cons. We’ve compiled a list with pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision about whether Information Technology careers might be right for you.
Pro: IT Industry Jobs are Highly Paid
The average annual wage for computer and information technology jobs is much higher than the median wage for all other occupations. The average annual wage for tech jobs was $86,320 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average wage for all other industries was $38,640. These salaries can vary depending on skills, seniority and geographic location. However, an entry-level Help-Desk specialist can make around $38,000.
In 2018, the median salary for Computer Specialists was $53,470. Computer Systems Administrators and Information Security analysts earned an average of $82,050 and $98,350 respectively. You can also add the many benefits to your employees, including health care, tuition reimbursements and education incentives.
Stressful Jobs in the IT Industry
IT jobs will likely include stress. If you are in a Help-Desk role, you will most likely be dealing with people who have lost patience with computers. System Administrators, Network Administrators, and anyone involved in cybersecurity will be subject to a lot of stress. Their job is very demanding and can lead to serious problems.
Important to remember that IT jobs are often subject to deadlines. For example, Network Administrators are often required to test new systems or create user accounts by a specific date. Although these deadlines are not unusual for the amount required, you will still be expected to meet them.
Jobs in IT Offer Great Job Security
The tech industry is expanding at an accelerated pace, as we stated in the beginning. The same BLS data above shows that the number of IT jobs is expected to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028, according to the BLS. This is an additional 546.200 jobs in the next few years. There is a global shortage of cybersecurity professionals . In the United States, there are 40,000 unfilled information security analyst jobs each year.
This growing skill gap in cybersecurity means that only 1% of organizations can claim their security needs are being met and 85% of them find themselves short of staff. Earning a certificate in information security is a difficult task. This sector is most affected, but all IT occupations are in the same position.
Con: Other People
Your coworkers will often ask you to fix their computers and gadgets. This is a frustrating aspect of IT Industry work. It doesn’t matter if you have this job title or not, as less tech-savvy people will not be able see the differences between different careers in technology. You should be able to troubleshoot Windows XP if you are in tech.
We can also offer career advice or a warning in this area. This is about how many people lie to you. Many end-users will not admit that their computer was infected or why it stopped working. This is most likely due to embarrassment and fear of being reprimanded. You will then have to spend a lot of time trying to figure this out yourself. Worse, third-party vendors may lie to you about the software’s bugs and other issues.
Pro & Con: Time Management
As we’ve mentioned, most IT jobs require you to meet deadlines. This makes managing your time difficult. Remember that security breaches, server crashes, and other problems will not keep track of your time. You could be required to respond to an emergency at any time, day or night. In this respect, you’ll look similar to a paramedic or firefighter on duty.
This is a positive because most companies realize that you are not tied to a 9-to-5 work schedule like other employees. This will allow you to create your own schedule and achieve some of the work-life balance people talk about. You can even telecommute occasionally.
Pro & Con: Constant Learning
IT is an ever-evolving industry. It is possible for what is current today to become irrelevant tomorrow. Tech professionals must keep up to date on all developments and trends, as well as learn new skills. They cannot afford to fall for the trap of believing they are good enough. Even those in stable occupations like human resources or health care cannot afford to slow down, and that includes tech professionals.
Some may view this as an extra step to their already lengthy work hours. Others see it as an opportunity for them to expand their knowledge and learn new things. This is what most job seekers who are looking to get into the tech industry know. Continuous learning opens up many career options. It is a good career idea to learn new skills in IT, whether it be programming languages or something completely unrelated like the social media industry.
You can become a database administrator, network security specialist, or system administrator with the help of many IT certifications. This is possible in just a few months. The tech sector is open to employees with multiple specializations. This flexibility will make it easier to find work.
Takeaway
Although there are many other benefits and drawbacks to IT work, these are the ones we chose to highlight.
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