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What's the real deal choosing a career path in the IT field. I hear such contradictory statements from different people.
One on hand... Almost every time I read some career/job searcher article, IT jobs are put at the top of the list. Education and Career/Recruiting Specialists keep urging more students need to go into IT programs because there apparently is some terrible gap that needs to be filled. Too many jobs and not nearly enough people, that coupled with pay in the 60-80k range (starting) make it a no brainer. Seriously, just Google any best careers list or try to get info off the web about the IT field and you only read good things about it. I quickly found the below article in a simple search and IT jobs are number 1 on the list. Security and Network Administration positions also made the list.
But then on the other hand, any time I've talked to, or heard from someone personally working in IT, they always urge the exact opposite. Avoid IT like the plague they say. Intense job competition, layoffs abound, tons of work getting outsourced overseas, and degrading work environments and pay.
Why the disparity?? It's hard to say the people actually working in the field are lying or something, but I just find it odd IT careers are so highly recommended by recruiters and education professionals, but hated so much by the professionals in the field that they vehemently warn against going that route.
What's the real deal with IT careers? Good or bust?
Both... mostly for someone not in IT, I see it as a high pay but high turnover industry. Outsourcing aside, technology is changing fast enough that every few years, 5-10, the tech is all different. Do you really want to learn a new set of skills each time? Then have to compete against people who "grew up" on those new changes?
So yes the pay might be high, but I prefer the old "slow but steady" to win the race job... IE make enough so you are happy with life and have a job where you can do it until you retire... then collect a 401k and monthly checks
This is how it is in every industry. Those who don't work in it hear that it is a goldmine, too many jobs to fill, exciting, etc., and those who do work in it say it's oversaturated and unenjoyable.
Well first off we live in a digital age where computers are everywhere
2nd IT is a great field to be in there are so many paths you can and plenty of jobs available
But there are pros and cons to what you can take
IT support Career Path
System admin
IT security
IT network
business analyst
Programmers
Software engineers
Etc oh buddy the list dont end and sometimes
As for outsourcing i never had that happen to me because i work in government and am backed up by a union
In the private sector with cheap companies i bet that happens but trust me those idoits who outsourced realize sometimes it was not a good idea
IT is no different than any career you make what you want of it
I have JUST A job in IT i dont have much of a career because i didnt want to climb the coporate ladder that much
IT jobs pay well they are good for someone who likes problem solving dealing with people and who love technology
I'm in IT also and I would disagree with you. The developers are getting outsourced much faster than say, VOIP support. I suppose it depends on where you are!
That's the reason for the inconsistent messages the OP is hearing: Right now things are (relatively) good in IT. However, many IT jobs, especially, are ripe for off-shoring. I could readily see someone getting 10-15 years down the line in an IT career and then finding themselves in a situation where their compensation decreases year after year after year because of the impact of globalization of the labor marketplace for IT resources and the impact of improved global connectivity.
My niece is heading into the working world soon. I'm heartened by the fact that she's pursuing a career that, more than most others, requires her to be in physical presence in a certain place. There are several billion workers in the world, the vast majority willing to work for pay far less than enough for Americans to pay their own way and secure their own future. The more the supply of less expensive labor increases within a portion of the labor marketplace within which you offer your services, the more likely that you're going to face decreasing pay, and perhaps eventually getting to the point where you cannot afford to make ends meet.
It's not a field for someone who is lazy and just wants to do the same rote task for 30 years. It's a dynamic, constantly changing field where you need to be a self-starter and be capable of always learning. When you get out of college the learning only just begins.
It also helps to be actually interested in new technology. Like any field, if you're just doing it for the paycheck and really don't care about it you're probably not going to be satisfied.
You absolutely must live close to or near a major metro area as well.
I think the contradiction is due to the mis-match of supply vs. demand. Which I think is pretty common across industries.
IT is such a broad term. I had a hard time finding security engineers/penetration testers, and a friend of mine was looking to leave, but he was a UC administrator and couldn't find any companies move to. It's anecdotal, but just one example of how both can happen at the same time.
I also hear this about nursing. There's no shortage of information about how nursing is such a great career to get into. I also know a number of nurses that would disagree.
I will say that IT success is predicated on the ability to adapt. Most people I know that have worked in this industry successfully for a long time have not been doing the same thing.
That's the reason for the inconsistent messages the OP is hearing: Right now things are (relatively) good in IT. However, many IT jobs, especially, are ripe for off-shoring. I could readily see someone getting 10-15 years down the line in an IT career and then finding themselves in a situation where their compensation decreases year after year after year because of the impact of globalization of the labor marketplace for IT resources and the impact of improved global connectivity.
My niece is heading into the working world soon. I'm heartened by the fact that she's pursuing a career that, more than most others, requires her to be in physical presence in a certain place. There are several billion workers in the world, the vast majority willing to work for pay far less than enough for Americans to pay their own way and secure their own future. The more the supply of less expensive labor increases within a portion of the labor marketplace within which you offer your services, the more likely that you're going to face decreasing pay, and perhaps eventually getting to the point where you cannot afford to make ends meet.
Unfortunately, this is true for a lot of industries made up of people who have so-called "white collar" jobs. The downward pressure on wages has been going on a while in the U.S. Americans now compete at a global level as do the others in the world.
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