Information Technology occupations are in high demand. In fact, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to grow 15 percent in the US from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. And as cloud computing proliferates, IT positions are increasingly capable of being performed remotely, allowing for a greater degree of flexibility than other fields.
With so many benefits, you might be wondering why more people don’t enter the field.
Simply put, a career in IT is not easy.
A Rewarding Career… For The Right Candidate
Most positions in information technology require discipline, a strong work ethic and solid ethics, as IT roles often involve work with sensitive, confidential material and cybersecurity. Furthermore, at times, it can mean long and unusual hours, complicated work, and even on-call availability.
Yet, because of these responsibilities, IT workers are often viewed as among the most indispensable at the companies where they work. It is a role that requires a great deal of knowledge, patience, and responsibility. When an issue arises, they are among the first people to be counted on to rectify the situation or limit the damage.
Fortunately, because of the knowledge and responsibility involved, IT careers are often well compensated compared to other fields, with the median annual wage totaling $97,430 in the US as of May 2021, far higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.
Knowing all this, does a position in information technology seem like the right career path for you? If so, let’s break down how you can build a successful career in the dynamic world of IT.
Think Like a Hiring Manager
Information Technology is a broad field that represents a wide scope of specialized skills. When seeking to set yourself apart from the crowd, it’s helpful to think like a hiring manager. Remember that a company will generally only be hiring because they have a specific need.
When looking for candidates, you can expect they’ll be looking specifically for those who fill that need. That’s why it’s so important to garner specific IT skills, and to then highlight them on your resume.
Set Yourself Apart
One option you might consider on your IT career path is to get a degree from a 4-year university in Computer Science or a related field. However, unlike most career paths today, a college degree is not a requirement for many IT positions.
For many, this is good news. The cost of a college degree can be prohibitively expensive for many, and the time commitment is similarly something that many people simply cannot afford.
However, while this lowers the bar for entry and opens new opportunities for many, it also poses a problem:
How do you differentiate yourself from the competition?
Get Certified
One useful solution is to earn a certification in an IT-related specialty. There are a variety of highly reputable credentialing organizations that offer certification for those looking to communicate their skills. Google provides an IT Support Certificate through the popular online education platform Coursera. Meanwhile, some of the most valuable certifications for 2022 include Amazon’s AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certificate, and Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect certification.
Create A Lifelong Career
It’s been said that in the tech world, the only constant is change. As technology continues to progress, the need for skilled and enterprising IT specialists is only expected to increase in the years to come. This is great news for those looking for a secure position. However, if you are looking to set yourself up for a lifelong career, it means consistently updating your knowledge and skillset.
Fortunately, as noted earlier, there are plenty of options for acquiring certification in a new specialty for reasonable fees and a time commitment of only a few months.
Another great way to keep your skills relevant and to maintain your passion for your information technology is to build a strong network of contacts from which you can share your stories and garner wisdom and insights from different perspectives within the field.
Flourish On Your Career Journey With Stefanini
One of the best ways to maintain passion in a career is to do something that provides a clear benefit to others. That’s why, with the proliferation of digital technology and online work over recent years, it should come as no surprise that so many people have sought out a career in Information Technology.
Taking on a role in IT is an excellent way to do something that offers a tangible benefit for others, while building a valuable and enriching career. Yet, over time, even the most exciting career path can be challenging and tiring.
That’s why it can be so beneficial to build a career at Stefanini, a company that’s founded on passion and innovation, and a commitment to making the impossible tangible.
As one of the most trusted and fastest growing names in IT services, for over 35 years, Stefanini is one of the most sought-after companies for passionate, entrepreneurial individuals at every level of their IT career journey.
From Brazil and throughout Latin America to North America, Europe, India and the Philippines, Stefanini has career opportunities available around the globe. And thanks to our extensive career support and training programs, we’ve built a strong track record of promoting from within, allowing for enriching and upwardly mobile careers without leaving the Stefanini family.
If you’re interested in continuing your career path as part of the team at Stefanini, please check out our open positions here.
