It’s no secret that tech professionals have been experiencing an overwhelming amount of layoffs in 2023. In fact, there have been more layoffs in 2023 so far than in the entirety of last year. These statistics can be discouraging to those searching for job stability and career development in fields like IT.
But despite what may feel like very discouraging news, it is still a good time to pursue a career in IT. Developing a successful career in IT, however, does require certain skills and the ability to market oneself as an asset to employers. This article breaks down the crucial steps IT professionals can take to turn their skills and interests into long-term, successful careers.
Understand the IT Job Market
While it can be easy to read headlines about tech layoffs and assume you must follow a different career path, that is not the case. “I’ve seen bad job markets for tech workers, and this is not it,” says Megan Slabinski, a tech jobs expert at Robert Half. “The greatest demand and need we’re seeing for hiring right now, in almost every industry, is for tech professionals.”
There are plenty of open roles in various subcategories of IT. Cybersecurity, for example, was the least affected by IT layoffs. As technology advances in unpredictable and sometimes overwhelming ways, consumers and corporations are prioritizing the protection of their data now more than ever.
Other in-demand roles for IT professionals include:
- Programming and application development
- Project management
- Help desk/technical support
- Security/compliance governance
- Web development
- Database administration
- Business intelligence/analytics
- Mobile application and device management
- Networking
- Big data
To stay up to date on the latest trends in the IT field, consider populating your social media feed with thought leaders and data reporters who specialize in IT.
Develop the Right Skills for IT Jobs
Another way to set yourself up for success as an IT professional is to build the right skills and learn how to market yourself as a desirable job candidate.
First, let’s consider what technical skills are desirable for IT employees. Here are a few:
- Proficiency in multiple programming and scripting languages
- Programming/software development and analysis
- Understanding the architecture and management of operating systems, visualization software, and networking
Meanwhile, there are several soft skills that give IT professionals an advantage. For example, critical thinking is a skill that comes in handy when given a tech-related problem with minimal guidance; in such a scenario, a critical thinker would consult information from past experiences and apply this knowledge to solve the issue at hand. (Read more about desirable soft skills for IT employees here.)
IT certifications and degrees are also an option for those who want to build both their technical and soft skill