Deciding which career to choose is a difficult decision. It’s inevitably going to shape the next few years of your life, and quite possibly your entire future. And yet it’s often done without too much knowledge or experience of the industry you’ll be joining — searching for a tech career being no exception.
There are a number of factors you’ll need to consider before entering any career. The salary and benefits on offer is one, while the potential to develop into more senior positions is another. Many people will be excited by particular industries, perhaps those with the potential to deliver change or improve society. And some careers will offer the prospect of travel, which will certainly appeal to those looking to see more of the world.
Young women don’t get support they need to pursue tech careers — Here’s why gender diversity is important in tech.
The benefits of entering into a tech career
Many people, particularly younger people, are now eager to enter a career in technology. This doesn’t necessarily require a university education but it does help, depending on the type of tech job you want to get into. There are many benefits to getting into this type of job. Some of the main ones include:
• An evolving industry: The world of technology is constantly changing, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence packages such as ChatGPT, coupled with the use of machine learning and big data, means that you’ll be entering a career which will be fast-paced and genuinely exciting.
Almost every major development that happens in society and business now has a tech element to it; think driverless cars, 3D printing, the launch of 5G-plus or even 6G or digital therapeutics. The fight against cyber-crime also requires technical skills, in another fast-moving and constantly changing space.
How to future-proof tech skills and stay ahead of the curve — Exploring how you can keep up with rapid innovation.
• Help the move to net-zero: A career in technology can help you play your part in the drive to become more sustainable; something that will rise to the top of the business agenda in the UK as the deadline for the transition to net-zero in 2050 nears.
Helping provide the infrastructure for people to work remotely can reduce travel emissions and office requirements, while the use of AI and machine learning will also ensure a data-driven approach towards cutting carbon emissions. Those entering the tech sector can expect to be at the forefront of this revolution.
• In-demand skills: Despite the recent job cuts by the likes of Amazon, Google and Meta, technical skills are always going to be in demand. In many countries, including the UK, there’s a significant shortage of digital talent, which means such skills will continue to be sought-after, and there are excellent opportunities for career progression. Many people who enter into a tech career stay within this industry throughout their working lives, and rarely find themselves out of work.
• Great pay: While the recent layoffs may have tempered some expectations when it comes to salaries, the tech sector has always been well paid compared to others. The talent shortage means this is likely to continue, so anyone entering a career in tech can expect a good salary and an attractive benefits package, as well as the chance to progress.
A quarter of tech leaders believe salaries fall short — Research from CTO Craft and Albany Partners reveals that a quarter (24 per cent) of tech leaders are unsatisfied with their current salaries.
• Varied career: With so many exciting companies and projects – and employers constantly seeking new skills – it’s likely that anyone working in tech will have a number of jobs over their career. That means you could end up working in tech positions in many different sectors, such as media, medical, retail or even for governments.
With so many different benefits to look forward to, it comes as no surprise that so many people are interested in getting into a career in technology. As with any career, though, it’s important that you make sure it’s right for you.
Make sure you do your research to determine which tech career will be best suited to your needs based on your skills and qualifications. Work experience or summer placements will also help you work out if it’s what you want to do, and could even lead to a job offer.
Related:
Ashish Gupta – ‘You can’t be an averagely talented programmer’ — Ashish Kumar Gupta, head of EMEA for global IT services company HCL Technologies, believes AI will make truly skilled programmers even more valuable.
How to provide purpose when hiring tech talent — Providing purpose is key to recruiting top tech talent in today’s recruitment market. Here’s how you can go beyond salary when hiring candidates.
