Dependence on computers and technology has increased ever since the global pandemic emerged. Many industries that previously shied away from incorporating technology into their operations cannot risk returning to old ways. Technology offers faster growth for most fields,like health, education, and business. There is a high demand for professionals with a liking for technology, computers, and working with data which makes this an excellent time to switch careers if that is your calling.
It doesn’t matter if you graduated from college in a non-tech discipline and work in an industryother than tech. Technology is a field that you can enter without attending college, although degrees and certificates do help. Thanks to e-learning, learning a new programming language or a software tool is easier than ever. It’s also less financially burdening than going back to college for a degree. If you’ve been considering switching careers for a job in tech, this article will convince you to take that leap of faith. Here are six reasons why you should choose tech for a career change:
1. Your current job doesn’t offer growth
Throughout high school and college, students are ingrained to believe that choosing a career that pays well is more important than anything else. But growth and self-actualization are critical to life-long success. If you feel like your current job is a dead-end road with no opportunities for growth or exploration, you should consider how to get into tech for a more rewarding career.With the increased reliance on technology, most jobs might become obsolete in the future, thus lacking growth.
2. The industry keeps growing
Growth in the information technology industry is inevitable for as long as there is innovation and evolution. New technologies and automation methods emerge every day, creating more jobs.Even if the world is becoming more dependent on technology, it still needs strategists and subject experts to manage it. For example, data scientists were not common until we learned how to incorporate complex data structures and statistical analysis into decision-making. No matterwhich area you join, there will likely be a job for it in the future. Therefore, now is the right time to invest in learning a tech-driven skill like programming or data analysis. Besides, there is always room for upskilling and launching yourself on a new career path within tech. For instance, you can always learn new programming languages and work with new tools and software to prepare for a new role.
3. Your existing job may become obsolete in the future
It may be possible that your current job will become obsolete in the future. Don’t worry; it’s not your fault that technology has advanced and changed the way you work to the point that AI-driven software proofreads and edits your writing. For example, AI now assists with medical surgeries and publishes social media content on your behalf. There is so much that technology has enabled humans to do at a much faster pace. And doing so has reduced the need for human intervention in many areas and roles. Therefore, before your current job becomes obsolete to the point that there is neither growth nor employment, consider switching to a field that requires analytical and decision-making skills.
4. Better career prospects
The U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics expects information technology to create 13% more jobs in the next ten years. Of course, with increased reliance on technology, there will be an increase in demand for people who can work with data and networks. Also, note that you don’t have to be a developer or engineer to work in tech. The field is diverse, and several job opportunities exist,like system managers and administrators who align IT systems with organizational goals. Then we have the growing field of data science that leverages AI, machine learning, and massive data structures to make data-driven decisions.
5. Remote work opportunities
Although several organizations started working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, manytech workers were already working remotely before 2020. Tech employers are happy to make arrangements for their employees because their projects can be coordinated online. You don’t have to be in the office for project meetings or collaboration. Thanks to project management and video conferencing software, you can connect with your teammates from your home. Also, cloud computing makes data sharing far more manageable than before. Though some companies preferoperating from an office, others are flexible in making arrangements for their employees. In addition, you don’t always have to look for organizational roles or corporate jobs. Manydevelopers, designers, and analysts work as freelancers, taking on independent projects.
6. High Employability and Flexible Hours
The best part about a tech career is that a job will always open. It doesn’t matter if you want a traditional 9-to-5 or freelancing gig. The demand is so high that big organizations like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and start-ups are always hiring. As businesses expand, the number of tech-driven jobs will increase from web, software, and app developers to data, machine learning, and AI engineers. That also brings in the aspect of job security. If you can’t find luck with a 9-to-5, you can start looking for clients on the internet. Most data scientists, engineers, and developers prefer taking up independent contracts to joining a large corporation. By working as freelancers, they can set their wages and routines and work with whomever they want. Therefore, choosing a tech career offers more flexibility.
7. High Pay
A self-explanatory reason for getting into tech is the high pay. Since the field is growing, multiple job openings and good salary packages are available. In addition, a tech career requires learning many hard and soft skills; therefore, remuneration is usually higher than in other industries. For example, the entry-level salary for a programmer is $49,000 per annum and $100,000 for a data scientist. And freelancers usually earn more than those working in corporations. Whatever your preference, a tech career is promising and highly lucrative.
Conclusion
The field of technology is more than just working with computers, data, and software. It’s about bringing change by innovation, helping find solutions to problems, and impacting the world. If this sounds like a befitting career, then start your journey today. It may be complex to break into this new world, but it’s worth it.
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