Techy Thinkers: The truths about working in the tech industry!
People have a common misunderstanding about working in the tech sector because they lack information about what is requires and involves to get into it, also they think it provides a narrow path of which only a very few can progress. However, it is not entirely acceptable since the IT sector is a vast field with countless opportunities for career advancement for those with a desire to learn and acquire expertise in fact it is an opportunity to any kinds of people from different ages, backgrounds, and from any parts of the world. In addition, compared to other sectors such as automotive and financing or manufacturing, moving to the IT sector is much simpler certainly it is not easier, but it is doable.
Below, is the following list of the truths about working in the tech industry
1. You may not need perfect background knowledge in maths and science
Ultimately, students who have good knowledge of maths and science would be better off but in the field of tech, it is not necessary or required to know the depth in maths/science because it is based on coding. Many young teens and adults nowadays are dawned to learn upcoming software programs and coding in fact the starting pay for software engineers and web developers is relatively high which might inspire young people in the economy.
In this modern era, many businesses and households are confronted to solve their daily problems with the use of handheld devices such as mobile phones, iPads, and laptops and with various use of application software products developed in it hence, more data is collected and gathered together when sharing/exchanging information such as text messages, images, audio or video files need to be safe and secured. Therefore, the economy will have a demand for high-tech workers such as technical workers, network specialists, and jobs related to cybersecurity in order to tackle and keep records in their hands. There is a need for sales and marketing representatives to excel the application software and packages to specific customers and businesses. In between other academic workers like project managers, IT associates are also in need to handle financial transactions and developing customer relationships.
According to the above-mentioned ideas coding and development is only one aspect of the digital economy.
2. Soft skills matter a lot
Knowledge, experience, resourcefulness, and common sense lead the way in the tech sector. Yes, coding is only one aspect of tech, but soft skills is an essential role to be played by a tech individual examples include: good communication, good team-player, active listener, leadership & entrepreneurial skill are vital to be in the modern era.
3. The tech industry is not entirely male-dominated
The tech industry is largely male-dominated, but it’s not totally accepted in large organizations such as Skill crush, eBay, Pandora, Pinterest, and LinkedIn the majority of females work here. This is an entirely a whole new topic to talk about, as the reasons are given below;
- The gender pay gap — The gender pay gap in the United States tech industry is the difference in salaries between men and women who work in fields such as Software Engineering. Women admitted that there is a gender pay gap in the technology sector, with males having a higher wage. Despite applying for the same job role at the same firms, women are offered lower-paying positions than men. Apple is one of these companies. Amazon and Google have taken proactive measures to close the pay gap and have started allocating financial resources to do so.
- Women are still in minor positions at the workplace — According to recent findings, many women are willing to move into leadership positions but are reluctant to do so because they believe they will be severely judged by men if they make mistakes. Therefore, it is important to consider the moderations to attract females to leadership and senior-level positions for all companies to follow like for example: providing suitable wage rates and work benefits according to their job description, providing proper training programs, and appropriate interview processes.
- Flexible working and correction of language barriers are important for attracting women to apply for tech careers — Results reveal benefits such as flexibility, working from home, opportunities to grow, training and salary were most important to women when deciding whether to apply for the job.
- Returnships are rated highly amongst women in tech — Returnships allow women to re-enter the workforce after a break and improve their skills so that they can return to senior positions rather than having to start from the bottom. This is beneficial because it is a means of addressing the gender pay gap in the tech industry. The more returnship programs for women in tech that are available, the more chances there will be for women to return to work in higher-paying positions.
- Women may be put off working in the tech industry if there are fewer opportunities for promotions — This evidence not only shows that work is required to alter younger generations’ perceptions of the industry, but it also suggests that providing and encouraging opportunities for women to upskill and have satisfying career growth in technology positions is a critical way for employers to change the way women think about working in technology.
- There is a demand for more STEM and women in tech role models — The tech industry faces a challenge in presenting more female tech role models to educate and encourage future generations to pursue careers in technology. The majority acknowledged that it is the responsibility of schools to address the gender gap in tech by instilling a passion for technology in female students at a young age. Results also show that employers are also responsible for motivating change followed closely behind. Addressing women with role models who have accomplished the things they aspire to achieve is one way both schools and employers can do this.
4. Not all tech jobs are outsourced
Yes, outsourcing is a reality for businesses of all sizes. After all, businesses, especially large ones, want workers from all over the world. For example: if you’re serving a client base that spans different time zones, you’ll need people on call at all times. Furthermore, several corporations have offices in various countries. True: hiring employees overseas will be less expensive than hiring workers at home. In the United States, meanwhile, there is still a high demand for tech employees. While outsourcing is cost-effective, it has some disadvantages, such as time differences, language barriers, and cultural barriers. Certain obligations and duties are, in fact, much superior.
5. You do not need to live in Silicon Valley or even a city
The fact is: you don’t need to live in Silicon Valley, or even a city, to get a job in the tech industry. You can live pretty much anywhere. This brings us to the next point.
6. It is smoother to work at home remotely
When you have in-demand technological skills, you have more power over how your workplace is structured. Employers, in general, would be much more accommodating. In fact, according to US News, web developers have a good work-life balance.
Furthermore, unlike other professions, such as retail, where you must be physically present to do your job, you can also do tech work with only a laptop and an internet connection. Tech is one of the top three sectors for remote employees, according to FlexJobs.
7. You do not need to become a full-stack developer
Now, if you want to create full-fledged apps from the ground up, that’s fantastic. You don’t have to, though. So don’t let the prospect of having to learn something stop you from starting. Rather, focus on a single area of prospects that you enjoy the most.
Conclusion
Technology is a versatile field with a varied workforce. It will provide an excellent work-life balance, higher-than-average pay, and other benefits. There are a plethora of job opportunities available, some of which do not even require coding on a daily basis. Moving into technology is, in the end, a lot simpler than most people believe.
Despite this, there are many misconceptions about what it’s like to work in the tech industry. But don’t dismiss it before giving it a shot! Keep an open mind instead. For the simple reason that there is something for everyone.
