Updated 30 January 2023
Information technology (IT) is a field that can open up many different career paths. In IT, you could be responsible for installing and configuring hardware, managing third-party software, providing training and support to employees, auditing security systems, or possibly writing custom software. You could also be responsible for integrating third-party software products, building and managing a website, or providing strategic direction related to tech decisions within the business. The benefits of IT and learning more about information systems are extensive in our digital world.
Why Seek a Career in IT?
These are some of the most prominent benefits of pursuing a career in IT:
- Education and training requirements. First, the education and training requirements vary significantly, and in some cases, you can get by with minimal formal education. Unlike a career in the medical field, which often requires a decade or more of education and training, you can equip yourself with the knowledge and experience you need to begin an IT career in just a couple of years. Certifications and credentials provide time- and cost-effective methods of learning about different IT specializations, validating your experience in the field and propelling your career forward. Obviously, some sub-fields are more demanding than others, and ongoing learning and training is often helpful in a fast-evolving field, but you shouldn’t face many strict barriers limiting your point of entry.
- Unlimited options. There are dozens of different jobs in IT worth considering, and each of them offer different strengths, weaknesses, and types of experiences. For example, you could become a computer programmer and create new types of software or custom products. Or you could become a quality assurance (QA) tester and ensure that existing products are the best they can be. If you’re looking for something more technically complex, you could become a network engineer or a systems analyst. There’s almost no limit to what you can pursue.
- Earning potential. Another big advantage in IT is the earning potential. Even entry-level jobs in IT are vital to an organization’s growth, and there’s a substantial shortage of IT talent. This shortage drives up wages and salaries. You’ll start out earning a respectable amount, and as you gain more experience, you’ll earn even more.
- Hiring demand. Every organization in the world needs IT staff members for something, whether it’s engineering new products, improving security, or just helping to manage the devices and applications within the organization. Accordingly, demand for IT professionals is high and continuously growing. Resources like ISACA’s State of Cybersecurity annual survey report offer insights into these hiring trends, employee retention and in-demand skills to help you stay up to date with industry happenings. If you have the right skillset and you’re willing to keep growing and improving, you should never be out of a job.
- Remote work potential. Though not everyone likes the idea of working remotely, for many people, it’s the ideal situation, and remote work has gained widespread acceptance in many fields during the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only does it afford you more flexibility and spare you from dealing with a daily commute, it also has the power to improve productivity. Though some IT positions do require an in-person presence, many positions can be done completely remotely, as long as you have a decent computer and a reliable internet connection.
- Career flexibility. Let’s say you begin a career in IT, but you stop enjoying it—either because it’s become monotonous or because it no longer offers the growth potential you want. Many of your skills are transferable, and as we covered above, there are dozens of IT jobs to choose from, so it’s typically very easy to change roles. If you’re still not sure what you want to do for the rest of your life, IT can afford you peace of mind that you’ll have flexibility in the future.
- Upward trajectory. You’ll benefit from nearly unlimited upward growth trajectory as well. As you gain more knowledge and experience in a given field, perhaps pursuing credentials to help you secure managerial and executive positions, you’ll work your way to higher positions and start earning higher salaries. You can even choose to start your own business and become your own boss. Plus, there are always new things to learn, so you can keep challenging yourself to improve.
- Purpose. For many professionals, the IT field comes with a sense of purpose. Depending on your exact position, you could be creating a new technology from scratch, helping others achieve their goals, or serving on the front lines of IT security for a major organization.
Is IT Right for You?
If you want to be successful in IT, you need to be adaptable and willing to learn new things. It helps to have a fondness for technology, and you need to be driven to solve problems creatively and with a critical mind. If you like the idea of a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment, and utilizing technology to help an organization thrive, there is no shortage of ways to make a positive impact in IT fields.
