Today’s world is a digital one, where technology touches every aspect of our business and personal lives. Information has become the currency of the new economy and businesses are scrambling to find the digital skills they need to survive.
This alone is making a career in information and communication technology (ICT) a compelling option for many school leavers, but it is far from the only reason the sector is an excellent choice.
Gary Bannatyne, the managing director and co-founder of Level Up, discusses 10 top reasons for pursuing a career in ICT.
• Technology is an incredibly wide field with a huge variety of career choices. It is highly diverse and goes well beyond IT support or fixing PCs. A foundational course in ICT enables students to steer their careers in a number of different directions, from architects and engineers to mobile or web developers.
• There are also a number of C-level roles in ICT, including chief technical officer, chief information officer and chief digital officer. Essentially, graduates can specialise in their area of interest. Because this is one sector where the pace of change is unprecedented, they are unlikely to get bored or become stagnant.
• Jobs in the tech space are generally well-paid, as the job market and demand for skills is constantly growing. The digital skills gap is highly publicised, so those with the right skills can almost cherry-pick the organisations they prefer to work for.
• A large part of any course or programme will be hands-on and practical. Those who fear growing bored with endless theory need not worry, as there are plenty of opportunities to write code and make cool things. While knowledge is crucial in any career, learning is both easier and more enjoyable when you can see what you’re learning by applying that knowledge.
• Another good reason for studying ICTs is that it is more flexible than most. If you’re a team player, there are many roles in ICT that enable you to do just that. If you prefer working solo, there are a number of jobs out there that require this. Technology never sleeps, so many roles allow you to work according to your schedule and preferences. never sleeps, so many roles allow you to work according to your schedule and preferences. Being able to structure your work and personal life according to your specific needs leads to a happier and more satisfying life too.
• There are also opportunities to earn on the side, as many ICT professionals start and run small IT businesses on the side, in addition to their full-time jobs. This not only helps grow your skills faster, but helps supplement your income and could just see you being the next founder of a successful start-up.
• In a digital world, management professionals need to have a basic knowledge of software and hardware to be able to talk the language of technology. Those who don’t understand technology on a foundational level will find it difficult to manage techies and information risks being lost in translation.
• One of the greatest areas of potential is for technology to create new behaviour or systems, as opposed to simply changing the way things are done.
• Technology plays a vital role in the business world, providing the tools and functions on which most organisations across the world run. It helps generate new products and services, which in turn improves productivity, output and innovation.
• The need for ICT professionals will only grow over time. The better your skill set, the more in demand your experience will be.
Supplied by InnoCom on behalf of Level up.