With the recent news that both Apple and Amazon have become the first companies in history to hold valuations of over $1 trillion dollars, it is no secret that tech companies are leading the economy in earnings. And with a workforce in government, business, and education that is increasingly relying on computer technology and engineering to solve its problems, and consumer demand for new technology approaching never-before-seen levels, it appears that the future belongs to companies who are adept at bringing new technology to consumers and clients. Indeed, many economists are noting a steep rise in demand for capable workers in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or “STEM” for short.
Is Tech Right for You?
Indeed, if you have a passion for computing, science, or mathematics or a talent for in-depth problem-solving, now might just be a great time to train for a rewarding and high-paying career in a tech-related field. Here are just a few reasons why job growth in the tech sector is undergoing a boom that shows no sign of abating, and why that is good news for people who are looking for a career that they can feel passionate about. If you’re still a bit unsure or uncertain that a field in tech is right for you, there are dozens if not hundreds of online resources to help you find out. There’s blog posts, AMAs, quizzes and tests, news articles, journalistic articles, and much more.
Individuals and Companies are Spending More on Technology
As more technology companies provide the kind of services that used to be dominated by brick-and-mortar retail outlets, tech companies are increasingly revolutionizing the nature of how consumers spend their money. Companies like Netflix and Hulu have largely shifted the film rental market into digital streaming, for example, while ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft are changing the way that car services are hired out by customers. And because more and more people are choosing to spend money on web-based apps and programs to fulfill their needs, the current demand for technology-based solutions to age-old problems is likely to continue dominating the economy for the foreseeable future.
Analysts Expect Big Gains in Tech Jobs
Undoubtedly, an economic push towards Internet-based spending is just one of the reasons that organizations such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics BLS projects great job growth in information systems careers. There are numerous other factors as to why tech jobs are in demand, however. For example, the digitization of records and research for organizations such as hospitals, law firms, and universities means that experts are often needed to keep systems organized and up-to-date. Moreover, organizations such as pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and doctors’ offices increasingly rely on computer technology to help keep patients healthy and to make sure that health records and research materials are kept up to date and easily accessible.
For Workers in Big Tech, Merit and Talent Truly Matter
Despite the high pay and job security that comes with jobs in technology-based fields, the barrier to entry is also different to more traditional careers such as medicine and law, where a handful of big-name universities tend to corner the market on high-salaried positions. For the most part, tech workers do not have to have an advanced degree to command high pay, with the average software engineer making around $70,000 or more per year even without a bachelor’s degree. If you are knowledgeable in a specific programming language and has a strong desire with tech innovation, you might consider pursuing a software engineering career. (It is notable, for example, that Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg were able to rise in their fields despite their lack of college degrees.)
A degree is certainly helpful, and the guidance of professors in areas like computer science is invaluable, but because the emphasis in hiring practices at tech firms tends to be based on what the person is capable of rather than where they went to school, hiring managers and employees in information technology and other computing jobs tend to view the playing field as being more open to new talent than old-school fields such as law, banking, or business management.
Work-life balance tends to be better than in legal, banking, or medical professions also, with tech workers tending to have a traditional 40-hour work week compared to the crushing 80+ hour weekly schedules of many lawyers and doctors.
So with meritocratic hiring practices, a booming sector of the economy, an increasing number of job openings, and forecasted job growth, the pursuit of a career in a tech-based field appears to be one of the soundest investments of time and energy that a person can make. For people who have a passion for developing new ways to solve problems, the personal growth and job prospects of a tech career may be a rewarding path towards a bright future. And that is the kind of career that truly brings happiness.
