Julia Best prospects for the future, attractive starting salaries, and lots of open positions for computer scientists – good arguments for a career in the IT industry. Thanks to digital change: Many companies are desperately looking for qualified IT professionals in a wide variety of areas. This also opens up good opportunities for exciting jobs for young professionals and lateral entrants. However, an IT career is not a sure-fire success.
The shortage of skilled workers makes it easier to start a career in IT
The IT sector is one of the areas that are particularly badly affected by the shortage of skilled workers. Good for you, if you are aiming for an IT career: So that you do not migrate to the competition, companies pay a lot for your qualifications to retain you.
Secure jobs, promising remuneration, and the steadily growing demand make entry into the IT industry particularly attractive for many career starters and career changers.
However, the shortage of personnel in companies does not mean that every applicant who knows a little bit of programming will be hired with a kiss. The demands of the companies are sometimes very high and often go beyond good specialist knowledge. Computer scientists, too, usually have to write a few applications before they can start their careers.
Different paths to an IT career
- At many companies, a degree is still a prerequisite for a successful career. A degree in computer science is an advantage, but graduates from other STEM subjects are also sought-after applicants.
- An IT career is also possible without a degree: if you have appropriate training, for example as an IT system clerk or IT specialist, also has hardly any problems finding a suitable IT job as a career starter.
- With the right qualifications, career changers also have good career opportunities in the IT industry. Because of the ongoing shortage of skilled workers, even retraining in the IT industry can be a real career springboard for job seekers from other areas.
Remain willing to compromise
If, as a lateral or career starter, you do not always get exactly the IT job you want straight away: Stay flexible anyway! Take advantage of offers that do not quite meet your expectations and gain experience for your dream job. Although you have to come to terms with a lower starting salary than usual for computer scientists, such a job also pays off your IT career.
If you are aiming for a career as a software developer, for example, a job in customer service can be the perfect start for you. In this way, you get to know the various application programs and the wishes of your customers very well.
Thanks to relevant advanced training such as e-learning courses and webinars as well as the necessary track record and a little patience, your chances are very good to steer your IT career in the desired direction.
Especially as a career changer, you should use your professional network: Point out your skills and competencies to your colleagues. They may be able to help you gain a foothold in the IT industry.
You can also ask your employer directly to see if a change to the IT department would be possible. Although other candidates shine with training and experience in the IT industry, as an employee you know the structures, goals, and requirements of your company. In this way, you stand out from other applicants and may even be preferred.
These qualifications should be brought by young professionals
In addition to technical knowledge, analytical thinking and a good understanding of numbers are indispensable for all professions in the IT industry, and good English skills are usually expected. However, if you want to make a career in IT, you should have some additional skills. These include:
- Economic understanding and entrepreneurial action: These skills are especially important in higher positions. Personnel managers often pay special attention to those who have already participated in programming competitions during their studies or have even been involved in founding a start-up.
- Soft Skills: In most cases, you do not code in a quiet room, but work closely with colleagues – also from other departments. Teamwork and communication skills are therefore a must for most IT jobs.
- Practical experience: In addition to the appropriate professional qualifications, HR managers primarily want practical experience in IT. Do internships to gain professional experience! Working student jobs are also a great option. You can collect additional points from HR staff if you are also enthusiastic about IT outside of your job. For example, if you have developed a software solution for private purposes or set up and administrate websites, make sure to state this in your application.
Diverse career opportunities for IT specialists
When starting a career, IT graduates are not always sure where to go. Because in IT, in particular, the opportunities for a career are diverse. As a self-employed person or freelancer, you have greater freedom, as a permanent employee, you have more security. Interim management offers a lot of variety.
Of course, computer scientists do not have to commit to starting a career right away. Often it is only in the course of the first few years in the job that it becomes clear what suits you best and in which direction your own IT career is developing.
The following questions can give a rough guide:
- Permanent or freelancer or self-employed?
- Technical expert or management position?
- A large corporation or family start-up?
The right company for an IT career: Apply strategically
It makes a difference where you apply. As an IT specialist, you have a wide range of industries to choose from – after all, IT is needed everywhere. In addition to the major ICT players such as Google, Microsoft, Adobe, or Salesforce, large companies from the automotive, financial, and consulting sectors are also popular employers.
Computer scientists can expect an above-average starting salary here. The disadvantage: The competition at these companies is fierce because they compete with a large number of competitors for vacancies. And there are also good colleagues within the company – which makes advancement difficult.
In the media and agency landscape, salaries are usually lower, but you can often advance your IT career there better because the promotion usually succeeds faster. This also applies to small and medium-sized companies.
As a rule of thumb, the bigger the company, the better the earning potential. The salaries for IT experts in smaller companies are still comparatively high compared to other professions.
Especially for career and career changers, it can therefore make sense to apply specifically there to first gain a foothold in the industry.
