A successful career in IT: a dream of many

Today, the IT industry is characterized by great growth, as digitization is constantly progressing in companies of all kinds. As a result, workers in the IT sector are constantly needed. Today, you can enter the industry not only with a completed degree or specialist training as an IT technician. There are excellent entry opportunities for switchers (those who have no experience and have decided to change their profession) in the IT industry. On the seclgroup.com website, you can find lots of useful information on web development. Guys are real professionals in the field, so if you need web development services, this company is a great choice. But if you are willing to enter IT, keep reading: we’ll tell you more about how to do it.

Shortage of skilled workers facilitates career entry into the IT industry

Even conservative company leaders today are convinced that the future lies in digitization and are beginning to make corresponding changes. As a result, more jobs are opening to IT specialists, but companies often face a fairly small offer of qualified applicants. As a result, companies often search specifically for career changers. In addition, new job profiles often develop for which there is still no direct training, and career changers who have acquired the appropriate knowledge themselves will then find excellent opportunities in their job search.

Different paths to an IT career

Many positions in the IT sector still require a degree today, which can be an IT degree or a course of study in one of the STEM subjects. An excellent opportunity to start an IT career is also provided by appropriate specialist training, such as an IT system administrator. However, since there are not enough applicants with such training, there is also another way into the IT industry. As a lateral entrant, you can have very good job prospects with appropriate retraining, which can lead to a successful IT career.

Qualifications that career starters should bring

The IT industry is fast-paced and professional knowledge acquired during training and studies can quickly be outdated. Therefore, you should constantly continue your education for a career entry to be able to score points with current knowledge. In addition, when looking for an IT job, soft skills such as teamwork and willingness to communicate also count, which you may have already acquired from previous jobs.

What you need to study to become a developer

The first stage is a block united by the concept of Computer Science. This is knowledge from the field of mathematics and computer science, as well as the basics of programming, including data structures and algorithms, database design, and fundamentals of object-oriented programming. We would like to highlight that it is desirable to obtain this knowledge for rapid career growth. But you can become a programmer even without it.

Next, you need to decide on specialization and choose a programming language. C, C ++, and Java are relevant for system programmers. Future web developers need JavaScript and various frameworks, the most popular of which are: React, Vue, and Angular. Frameworks are used to develop the front, that is, the part of the website that the user interacts with in the browser. For back-end development, that is, the creation of the site’s server side, Python and PHP are used.

One of the fastest-growing areas right now is mobile development. To find a job in this segment, you need to learn Java, Kotlin, Swift, and C#. Which programming language should you learn first? It depends on the chosen area. In terms of ease of learning, Python, JavaScript, and PHP are preferred.

After mastering the basic skills, you need to start creating a portfolio. The presence of ready-made projects will be an employment advantage.

Numerous career opportunities for IT specialists

For specialists, there is a wide range of opportunities for an IT career. If you are now faced with choosing a career, you should consider which fields within the IT industry will continue to be in high demand. Three categories, in particular, stand out: AI (Artificial Intelligence) Specialists, Customer Success Specialists, and also Big Data Engineers. You can also start an IT career as a data protection specialist.

In addition to media and computer science knowledge, such a career mainly requires knowledge of the current legal situation. The need for extensive data protection has become particularly obvious recently so that specialists in this area can benefit from many job offers.

Find suitable companies

Finding a company that suits you is first necessary for the career starter. If you come to the IT industry as a lateral entrant, it can sometimes be cheaper to first apply to a company where that can also employ beginners. For example, an IT-oriented call or support center can offer an ideal job where you can gain initial professional experience in the industry.

On the other hand, it is often most interesting for graduates to decide on the subject they can develop specifically at their first job. Remember that your own skill set should meet the actual requirements of the job when applying if you want a good chance of actually getting the job.

Transition to IT: useful tips

There are many areas from which specialists can move into IT with minimal effort and time. And you need to start with the search for information. You should add this skill to your list if you are not a master of information skills.

Globalization is a current trend in all spheres of life. But in IT, it manifests itself most clearly. Knowledge of languages is not only desirable but mandatory. At a minimum, English is required. And it is better to supplement it with another foreign language. The ability to speak different languages greatly expands the opportunities – it allows you to use foreign resources, communicate freely with colleagues or get a job in a foreign company.

Working in IT means endless opportunities for self-development. Indeed, in this industry, in addition to professional ones, the so-called “soft skills” are also valued: organizational skills, the ability to work in a team, communicate, think critically, and much more.

The path to IT is open to everyone, regardless of age and education. All you need is desire and determination.