IT is not an industry that can boast such a high level of expected job growth. In 2020, the industry was worth 5.2 trillion dollars. Computer and information systems are among the fastest growing industries worldwide. They are expected to grow by 3.7% in 2021. There are many opportunities for IT jobs, and new technologies are popping up all the time. To help you get started, here are some IT careers 2021 guides.
There are many reasons to get into IT. Your current job or career options may not suit you. It is possible that you are not satisfied with what you do. It is possible that you are interested in learning more about the complex and varied IT industry and would like to learn new skills in computer science. You may also realize the many remote opportunities available in this industry.
No matter what your motivation for seeking an IT career, there are many things you need to do. It is not easy to change careers or continue education, no matter how old you are, your previous career, or where you came from.
This ultimate guide to IT career will cover all relevant topics to help you achieve your IT goals for 2021. We’ll discuss the pros and cons to an IT career, which IT branches might be best for you, and what to do to get your first IT job.
Let’s start by describing the positive and negative sides of IT.
IT Career Advantages
- High income
Although entry-level positions may seem rare, once you make it in IT, you can expect to earn a handsome annual salary. IT professionals are highly paid and have a stable financial life. This is enough to encourage many people to consider entering the field.
Statista states that IT professionals in communications, advertising, defense, communications and public relations are the most well-paid. We guarantee you will be happy with what you earn, regardless of the type of IT.
- Various job opportunities
We’ll be going into more detail later on about the main IT sectors, but it is important that we emphasize the fact that IT is a very versatile industry. There are many job options available, including software engineer, web designer and 3D animator.
IT can accommodate your interests, whatever your strengths may be. If you are interested in a career in computing technology, you don’t have to be able to do math and logical operations. We welcome all skill sets.
- Non-strenuous work
The downsides of sitting at a desk for more than eight hours per day include poor posture and weight gain. It is not difficult to sit in a comfortable office. You won’t have to feel unhappy with your current work conditions, as our student Brice,, who used to be an internet and cable installer, often working outside in bad weather.
You might also have the added benefit of working remotely. You can spend your lunch break with your spouse or children, and there are no worries about poor food choices. This is something that everyone would love to do.
- Dynamic work assignments
No two IT projects are alike. You will be working in different areas of IT, such as virtual reality. Clients will have different expectations and will need different results. Depending on your job, you might be creating a mobile app and a website the next day. IT will keep you alert.
This type of dynamic work requires a dynamic personality. If you enjoy a challenge and are open to solving new problems, IT is a great fit.
IT Career Disadvantages
- Stressful environment
It is all about meeting deadlines. It is important to plan, develop, test, and send back the project to the client within a set time frame. This schedule is usually not controlled by the development team, as managers manage that part of the business. There is very little room for error and a slow pace is not recommended.
You can work for yourself and make your own schedule, but clients will not have any IT knowledge. They won’t know what to ask you or what software you should create. This line of work can be frustrating and you will need to communicate frequently.
- Little free time
Many jobs, especially those that require you to be a leader in your field, will require some sacrifice of time. IT is no exception. Even if everything is going according to plan, there are times when you may need to cancel an outing with the family, a romantic dinner date with your partner, or take time off work to deal with an emergency.
Many people believe that IT work is a 9-5 job. Although this is true to a certain extent, when you are faced with a problem or a deadline, you will have to sacrifice your time to get the job done.
- Continuous training and education
This last point might be a plus for some. IT is always evolving. It’s difficult to keep up with the constant release of new software, technologies, or programming languages.
Information technology professionals must do so. You must continue to learn and train in order to stay ahead of your competition. This can be difficult, especially when you work long hours and have a family.
Major IT Sectors
If you’re still curious about career opportunities in information technology and the cons that they offer, don’t be discouraged. This section will cover the main IT branches you might be interested and the skills required for each.
- Software development
Software development is the science of designing, programming, and implementing software applications. IT would not function without it. You will need to be able to problem-solve, think logically, operate algorithms and do math. It is important that you are able to navigate programming languages and to be able to pick up a few to add to your collection.
Software developers are looking for software engineers, web developers and mobile app developers.
- IT security
Although they need to be proficient in programming languages and code, cybersecurity specialists are more concerned with system security. They protect software against external threats, encrypt data and ensure that all information in a system is safe from theft or corruption. Information security analysts and other security specialists must be knowledgeable about how to protect networks from cyberattacks.
- Data analytics
Data science isn’t just for IT. However, data scientists play a vital role in this sector. Data analysts, data engineers, information researchers scientists, and others have similar jobs. They collect information, organize it into relevant categories, spot patterns, and then sort it.
This branch values organizational skills. Although programming is not a priority, you will need basic programming skills to work in IT as a data scientist.
- Design and animation
IT is a great place for creative people who love to draw, paint, photograph, type, calligraphy, create digital art, or any other kind of graphics. There are many creative jobs available in graphic design, videogame design, and UI (user interface design).
A drawing tablet is a must because you won’t reach your full creativity with a mouse (though a UI developer may be able to work without a tablet). 2D and 3-D animators are highly sought after in app development. So build your portfolio and start looking for companies that you would like to work for.
- Testing
Final word: Software created cannot be released to the public without proper testing. Developers sometimes test their code but, more often, testing specialists are hired to do the job.
Quality assurance engineers and testers are responsible for manually testing apps and finding bugs. They also create snippets to test the code and verify that it works. They must be meticulous and have a systematic approach to testing. How well the software performs is what will determine whether or not users are satisfied.
Hybrid Positions
An IT professional does not have to be a specialist in one area. Depending on your interests and hobbies, you can choose to do several. We haven’t even touched on the computer hardware aspect of things. Computer hardware engineers build and maintain the physical components used by software developers.
This industry is open to all possibilities! Take a moment to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and determine the best way to maximize your IT potential.
FAQ about Computer Careers
This section contains frequently asked questions about IT careers. We would love to tell you more about the degrees and certifications that you might need as well as what your first steps should be in your job search.
Is a college degree required?
You might be tempted to get a bachelor’s in computer science at the beginning of your IT career.
This is not something you have to do.
Some IT companies will not consider applicants without a college diploma. These companies are rare. Hiring managers will be interested in your work history, knowledge, and how the company will benefit from it. It is not necessary to have a degree in computer science or any other college degree.
However, it doesn’t hurt to show that you have a degree from a different field than IT. Even if your degree isn’t relevant to the job, it can be an advantage over other applicants. Your chances of landing your first IT job will increase if you present your degree in a positive light and highlight the skills you have gained from it.
Do IT certificates need to be obtained?
Although most IT careers do not require a college degree or certificate, IT certificates can prove to be a huge advantage. These courses are short and intense, but they will give you the practical knowledge and experience that you need to kickstart your IT career. These are the most popular certifications that you can get:
- Microsoft
- Cisco
- CompTIA
- EC-Council
- Linux
These courses will give you a solid foundation to build upon once you are hired for an IT job. These courses will make your CV shine and convince future employers that your are the best candidate for the job.
Can you get a job without any experience?
You can get an IT job without any experience. Although it’s not an easy task, it is possible. Here are some tips to get you started.
- Apply to an internship
It’s not everyone’s idea of a great time to work without being paid. Interning at an IT company, particularly one you are interested in, can be a great way to get started. Your fellow analysts, developers, or designers will teach you, while your superiors will get to see you in action. They will hire you if they like what they see.
Even though other industries, such as law firms, make the whole interning-and-then-getting-hired business seem like a pipe dream, this is pretty common in tech jobs. Just impress your managers and coworkers, and you’ll be hired.
- Search for an entry-level job
Although you might have some experience in another career, switching to IT is essentially starting again. Although it might not be what you want, an entry-level job in information technology may be the best option at the moment. In general, software developers and other departments don’t require juniors to have any prior experience.
You don’t have to settle for a position as a beginner. You can get promoted by working hard and learning as much as you can.
- Emphasize your soft skills
Learn how to spice your CV. You don’t have to emphasize the skills you’ve acquired from previous jobs, even if you don’t have any IT experience. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership, critical thinking, attention for detail, and a strong work ethic are as important as programming knowledge.
Be sure to tailor each CV to the job you are applying for. You don’t have to create one universal CV that you can send everywhere. Spend some time reading the job description carefully and preparing your skills and experience list to match it as closely as possible.
Final Words
There are many things you should consider before you choose which online class or course you want to take. Listen to the opinions of IT professionals around you or online. Is it worth the effort? Is it worth the effort? Are you sure it will make you happy?
If you enjoy what you have learned, you can look for an IT field that you would like to work in. Look for training in design and art if you’re a creative person. You might be interested in programming if you are. Think about the type of software that you would like to create. Perhaps you are more interested in becoming an IT systems analyst, network administrator or some other type of software developer.
Don’t worry about your inexperience. Any IT company will be happy to hire you as long as you are willing to learn and show initiative.