Have you ever asked yourself? “Should I Join The Tech Industry?” Whether you are still deciding which career path you would like to be on or if you are wanting to change your existing career, here are a few great pointers on the tech industry that may just help make up your mind.
So, Should You Join The Tech Industry?
Expanding Markets
The technical revolution is expanding daily. In South Africa, we need to keep up with this interesting and fast-growing industry as we rely heavily on every facet of tech for our transport, food supply, entertainment, currency and even security.
Every day there is a new avenue for tech to expand, from shopping apps to walking on the moon. So, it is no surprise that there is a major demand for tech jobs. A study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that “Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15% from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.”
Run-away Supply vs Demand
The Tech industry is one of the few industries that has more demand for labour than there is supply. While most companies and industries are attempting to do more work with fewer employees, the tech industry is still hiring. In the next 3 years, South Africa will see an overwhelming demand for tech jobs as the Government plans to build a new R2.5 billion tech industry, therefore adding even more demand.
Plenty Mullah
Yes, it pays well. In the infamous Dot Com boom, computer science majors could command six-figure salaries. It may not be as out of control as in that golden age but a good programmer or data analyst job can still achieve a very competitive salary.
Learning Curve
Entering this exciting field opens up a world of opportunities for young people from marginalised communities, particularly in South Africa where youth unemployment is over 60%. With the high demand for tech talent, it is no longer imperative to have a Bachelor Degree or higher.
Though a degree will fast-track your career it is not imperative, there are ways to work your way up. Learning can start at an early age both at home and at school. There are organisations in South Africa that can assist with free online programming and coding lessons like Code Academy, Umuzi or We Think Code to get you started.
I’m not a “Geek”!
No worries, you don’t have to be a proverbial ‘geek’ to join the ranks of techies. There are plenty of fields within tech where you can explore your artistic or design streak.
You could try graphic design, which every website and app needs. Or explore User Experience (UX) jobs which involve the design of the entire process of acquiring and integrating the product, including aspects of branding, design, usability and function. Then there is HTML, the creation of websites and which is not difficult to learn.
See the World
As technology growth is global, the opportunity to live and work abroad is not a dream but a reality and for the very adventurous, you could be roaming while you work remotely. The advantage of working abroad is the invaluable international experience that will be added to your CV. Not only does it boost your career path and knowledge but also your personal growth. Learning new cultures and working with diverse people, allows you to learn so much more about yourself, your goals, your strengths and so much more.
Therefore, begin your journey into the computer world and find the area in the tech industry that will suit you. Start networking on social media with people in the industry. Build your personal brand on social media platforms. If you do all these things, you can get onto the productive tech career path of your choice.
Watch this space for updates in the Technology category on Running Wolf’s Rant.
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