Whether you’re a college student looking to get started in a promising career field, or an established professional ready to make a pivot, a career in IT could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Are you willing to dig in and learn more.
5 Benefits of a Career in IT
As a career field, information technology (IT) is broad. Whether you’re a high school graduate thinking about what to study in college, or you’re in the middle of a career and looking to make a change, a job in the IT field is something to consider.
Here are a few specific reasons why:
- Major Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the IT industry has experienced above-average growth over the last decade and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. But while growth is expected in just about every niche, certain occupations will see more rapid growth than others.
The number of jobs for computer and information research scientists, for example, is expected to increase by 19 percent from 2016 to 2026. Likewise, web developers are supposed to see 15 percent growth over this period.
Anything can happen in a complex job market, but IT is always a high-demand field with lots of openings and opportunities for growth.
- Exciting and Diverse Opportunities
Speaking of opportunities, the IT field is as exciting and diverse as any industry in the American economy. Unlike other fields where people pigeonhole themselves into a decades-long career that consists of pushing the same buttons, saying the same old things, and getting the same results, IT has dozens of career paths – and they’re always changing.
For example, you could work for a large public company and help them manage their networks and databases. You could also work for a national defense contractor to help provide critical protection and security for the American government. Then there are specialized roles that fall everywhere in between.
The types of jobs you can pursue are more diverse in this industry than just about any other. If you’re looking for a career that allows you to move up, down, left and right, this is it.
- High Earning Potential
Let’s be real – money talks. While you may not pursue a career strictly for the money, it’s always nice to know there’s a high earning potential. In the IT field, this is certainly the case.
According to BLS, the median annual wage for computer and information technology occupations was $84,580 as of May 2017. When you consider that the median annual wage for all occupations is $37,690, you’ll understand just how lucrative this field can be.
- Flexibility
The IT field is incredibly flexible in that you may have options regarding where you work, when you work, and how you work.
Want to work a 9-to-5 job for a Fortune 500 corporation with a steady salary and stable benefits? You can find jobs that fit this description. Want to work with a startup and experience a unique workplace culture? You won’t have any problems finding opportunities. Prefer to travel the world and contract with companies on a remote basis? This is also possible.
- Acquisition of Real-World Skills
Some career fields are so specialized and business-specific that your daily job responsibilities don’t cultivate real-world skills. In IT, this is rarely (if ever) the case.
As the world around us becomes increasingly reliant on information technology, the internet, and software solutions, your job skills will translate into real-world talents that you can use at home and in your community for the betterment of those around you. Consider this a bonus that you’ll come to appreciate at a later date.
Explore All of Your Options
As beneficial as a career in IT can be, it may or may not be the right career for you. The important thing is that you do some research on career opportunities and explore as many options as possible. The more you know about different fields and the jobs within those fields, the better your chances are of finding a rewarding career that satiates your appetite for meaning and fulfillment.
Nice Information You have shared. IT Field is growing field so it's good for a career.