13
Sep
Top 5 Myths: Searching for a New Tech Role

Taking on a career in IT is a great idea. There are endless opportunities and you can thrive in your role. However, there are some myths associated with searching for a new tech role. 

1. You need a degree

To achieve a career in tech, some people believe that you need an IT specific degree. Some employers do ask for specific degrees, but this is not always the case. 

Skills and experience are becoming more valuable to employers rather than having a degree. Applicants that are self-educated and use their initiative to learn new skills through books and online classes can be viewed just as highly in the IT industry. 

2. Tech roles are for males

Women are underrepresented in the tech industry compared to males. Statista reports that since 2016, female graduates in STEM subjects remain the lowest, sitting at around 15% of overall graduates.

However, this demonstrates a gap in the market full of opportunities for females to get involved. Girls in particular are being encouraged in schools to pursue STEM subjects, so that they can develop these skills into a full-time career. 

3. You must live in Silicon Valley

Silicon Valley is home to industry leading powerhouses such as Apple and Google. However, you do not need to live in Silicon Valley to have a successful career in IT.

Tech positions are rising around the world, and new tech hotspots are also emerging, including the Research Triangle in North Carolina and Silicon Docks in Dublin. 

Also, the working from home/hybrid trend continues to rise, allowing for applicants to work from any location. According to the Office for National Statistics, data collected from Census 2021 states that there has been an increase of 11% in the amount of workers choosing hybrid work from February 2022 to May 2022.

4. You need to code    

Although there is a significant number of tech roles that require coding, there are some tech positions that do not require coding on a daily basis. For example, Graphic Designers, Technical Writers and Project Managers do not require the need for coding but they are still classified as a tech career.

5. There is a lack of opportunities

This is quite the opposite in the tech industry. For example, according to Statista, technology is expected to gradually replace a large number of retail jobs as soon as 2030. Furthermore, the idea of having tech jobs being outsourced elsewhere gives the impression that there will be no opportunities left. This is not the case as there will always be demand for talented employees, regardless of location. 

Although there are many myths to consider when taking on an IT career, they are not always true. If you are searching for a new tech role, take a look at the roles we are hiring for and get in touch with our Recruitment Consultants today.

Written by Emma Mitchell