With today’s heavy reliance on technology in almost every industry, the high tech sector is one of the most inspiring and rewarding industries to be a part of. It’s clear that a career in this constantly evolving and growing field is a great option for those school leavers deciding which degree they should take.
According to a recent US research report, the shortage of IT talent often limits businesses in attaining their goals. This means that those studying a computer science degree have greater employment prospects as well as higher salaries. Indeed, in the USA the National College of College and Employers (NACE)’s Winter 2016 Salary Survey indicated that computer science graduates are ranked second in terms starting salary, with an average of $61,000.
Not only do tech graduates have the potential to access well-paid jobs as soon as they graduate, but according to research provided by money-saving website Voucherbox, they could be studying one of the best value degrees in the first place. The study looked at the relative cost of different degrees in the UK, and revealed that science degrees represent the best value for money in terms of hours spent in lectures. With an average of 18 hours of lectures a week, the average cost of any science degree works out to £18.31 per hour. Computer science degrees have an average of 15 hours of lectures per week, working out to £20.50 per hour.
Aside from gaining a value-for-money degree and a higher chance of earning good money straight after graduation, what other reasons are there for choosing a career in tech?
Being at the Epicentre of Everything New
Tech jobs are now considered to be the coolest jobs out there according to an interesting recent survey: the 2016 report from US recruitment specialists Glassdoor concluded that of the 25 best jobs available in America today, 10 are tech-based jobs – and this sector represented by far the highest percentage.
The report points out that companies in all industries are currently vying with each other to recruit tech positions. Indeed, all types of businesses now need to maintain a good mobile and online presence to remain competitive and relevant, which, in turn, means they have to invest like never before in hiring people with the latest IT skills.
A Mixed Bag
A technology professional has a huge variety of work streams open to them. Most popular areas in tech at the moment include software, communications, hi-tech manufacturing and computer-related services. Technology is a whole sector in itself, of course, but also overlaps into pretty much every other industry. According to Tech City UK, 41% of the UK’s 1.6 million tech jobs are in non-digital businesses. You can be a technology professional in transportation, energy, entertainment, agriculture, medicine, through to financial services and banking. If you’re an IT professional, you can work in almost any industry you choose, marrying your IT skills along with what you’re passionate about beyond technology.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are more technology-based and computing jobs than there are suitably qualified people available to fill them in the country. What’s more, the Bureau also predicts growth rates anywhere between 12% and 37% in IT and computing professions by 2022. And any economist will tell you that when demand exceeds supply, prices have to rise.
In Africa, it’s the 70% youth population that is seen as one of the major drivers of the tech industry. The so-called “Cheetah generation” (a phrase coined by economist George Ayittey in his book Africa Unchained) is leveraging its programming and business skills to solve problems through inventive software and other product solutions. As a consequence, the Cheetahs are advancing the tech boom so quickly that they’re making speakers at events such as Davos 2016 World Economic Forum question whether Africa is in fact now leading the innovation revolution.
As we’ve just seen, we’re not going to reverse the advances we’ve made in technology and for the foreseeable future, demand for tech professionals is only going one way – upwards. So for those who are looking to carve out a successful, challenging and constantly evolving career, choosing a technology-based degree would seem to be a no-brainer.
Credit: Staff Writer
