Making a Difference: Top 7 Benefits of Working in the Technology Industry

If you're not satisfied in your current job, you might be wondering “what career is best for me?” Maybe information technology jobs have crossed your mind, but you're not sure if IT would be a rewarding profession for you. Or perhaps you're one of the many professionals who daydreams about a career change but thinks it would be too difficult to make the transition.

Whether you've never considered careers in technology or think that you don't have the right skillset, it's time to stop selling yourself short. There are numerous good careers in IT, all of which require different skills and talents – some of which might be a perfect fit for you. Many will allow you to make a difference in the lives of others in small and big ways. Whether you're just beginning to consider a career in IT or you know you're interested in one, here are some of the many compelling benefits of switching to a technology job.

1. The Tech Industry Is Hiring

   There are more technology jobs than people who are qualified to fill them, according to Business Insider. So, if you do decide to pursue a job in tech, you'll have no shortage of interesting opportunities at your disposal. And you won't be competing with other applicants as much as you might in another industry. The implications of this are that you could get hired faster and negotiate for a higher salary because a company really needs you to fill a role.

2. IT Jobs Pay Well

   The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that computer programmers make $79,840 per year on average and computer network architects make around $101,210 per year. The reputation that the IT field has for paying well definitely isn't overhyped, and there's no reason you shouldn't get a piece of the pie if jobs with computers and/or mobile devices interest you.

3. You Don't Need to Be a STEM Whiz

   It's a myth that you have to be good at math and science to succeed in technology jobs. In fact, you may not need to know much more than elementary school math to learn how to code. A lot of gaining the skills to code involves putting in the hours to learn coding languages.

   If you're interested in the hardware side of things, being talented and/or knowledgeable in math and science helps, but it isn't required if you're able to learn the ins and outs of how computers function. And there are even more technology careers out there that don't have anything to do with coding or engineering. Take inventory of your skills to see which IT career is the best fit.

   Most information technology careers involve things you can start learning right now at home, through online training courses and trial and error. If high school algebra wasn't your strong suit, don't let that prevent you from breaking into the IT field. All you really need is the interest and commitment to learning new skills. IT may seem difficult when you're a novice, but the more effort and time you put into learning, often the easier it becomes.

4. The Next Big Company Could Be Your Next Employer

   Startups pop up all over the world every day, and there are plenty of job openings at fledgling companies. Many startups go on to do groundbreaking things that totally alter our lives. Google, Uber and Facebook were all startups within the past two decades, and the people who were on the ground floor not only benefited tremendously financially, but also because they were able to claim that they were a part of something big – a tech company that changed people's lives dramatically. Sounds pretty cool, right? The possibility of being involved in major innovation is one of the most compelling benefits of working in technology industry startups and in IT jobs in general.

5. Your Creativity Will Be Encouraged

   Some careers in technology, like app developers and web designers, need people who can tap into their creativity to provide the public with innovative products. They use their imaginations to dream up solutions to everyday challenges and then use their skills to bring that technology into existence. Developers and programmers are the inventors of the 21st century. They're the Thomas Edisons of our time.

   In IT, particularly if you develop apps, websites or other computer systems, your creative, bright ideas will be encouraged. Without them, you likely won't help the company push forward in their innovation. Working in IT is a lot more than just punching numbers and code. It's often a highly creative endeavor, one that keeps you on your toes and requires you to come up with solutions to problems every single day.

   If you don't consider yourself the creative type, don't despair. There are plenty of IT career options for you, too. If you work in the IT department at a company, for instance, you may spend the bulk of your time problem solving, helping your coworkers get the most out of the technology they use and troubleshooting technology issues. Not all technology positions require you to come up with creative ideas, but there are definitely some that do.

6. You'll Get to Help People Solve Everyday Problems with Technology

   If you work in the technology sector, you might be helping to create devices and applications that make people's lives easier, better and/or more enjoyable. Or, if you work in the IT department of a company, you'll be helping your colleagues get the most out of the technology they use and making the organization you work for more efficient.

   Whether you're developing the next breakthrough app or teaching your coworkers tips and tricks to use technology more effectively, you'll be improving people's lives with your work. If you believe your current career is lacking because you don't have a chance to make a meaningful impact every day, the switch to IT could be the career change you need.

7. You Might Help Make a Big, Humanitarian Difference in the World

   Humanitarian technology is on the rise and will continue to be a noteworthy component of the tech industry. If you decide to explore IT careers on the humanitarian side of things, there will be ample opportunities for you to get involved.

   Here are just a few examples:

   • Bail Bloc: An app that harvests a small amount of energy from people's personal devices and converts it to cryptocurrency to pay the bail of people in need
   • Honda's disaster relief robot: Helps in the aftermath of major natural disasters and replaces the need for aid workers in particularly dangerous areas
   • Dharma: A data collection system that simplifies how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) keep track of health care data
   • IBM's epilepsy monitoring chip: Helps predict and prevent seizures
   • Charity Miles: An app that tracks your steps and raises money for the nonprofit of your choice based on how active you are

   These and many other humanitarian tech projects need great minds and hire people looking for careers in information technology. The sky's the limit in terms of what you could do if you pursue a career in IT with an organization that strives to make a big difference in the world.

As you can probably tell, there are numerous benefits of working in technology industry jobs. There's so much room and possibility for you to find the right IT career based on your interests, talents and experience. The IT industry isn't a one-size-fits-all corner of the business world. It's as diverse as the products and innovations it delivers to people. Now's a great time to start exploring your options and acquiring the skills and knowledge you need to make the transition to IT. There's no reason you can't achieve your career goals and dreams if you put your mind to it!

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