Information Technology Infrastructure Bachelor's Degree
Amid the digital revolution, there is an increasing number of IT job opportunities. Whether you are interested in remote IT jobs, or you are looking to explore the most high-demand IT jobs, you will find that any career path you choose in this field offers a sense of job security that cannot be matched.
In this blog, we’ll be exploring the top seven reasons why IT career opportunities offer unbeatable job security. If you can potentially see yourself in an IT career position, keep on reading.
1. High Demand for IT Professionals
Across all IT job opportunities, there is high demand for qualified professionals. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), IT employment trends show that there will be about 377,500 job openings each year in this field between 2022 and 2032, which is a much faster rate of growth when compared to all other occupations.
The Ever-Growing Tech industry
The vast number of digital transformation careers can be attributed to endless advances in technology, which continue to redefine daily life and improve the processes that we rely on each day. Some of the most highly in-demand IT jobs include:
- Information Security Analysts: The number of jobs in this field is expected to grow by 32 percent by 2032.
- Software Developers: The number of jobs in this field is expected to grow by 25 percent by 2032.
- Computer Information Research Scientists: The number of jobs in this field is expected to grow by 23 percent by 2032.
Diverse Career Opportunities
There are a diverse range of career opportunities within this dynamic and growing field, including work-from-home tech jobs that offer increased flexibility and versatility. Some of the most unique IT career opportunities include:
- IT Quality Assurance Tester
- Network Engineer
- Software Engineer
- Cybersecurity Penetration Tester
- User Experience Designer
- Application Engineer and Developer
- Cloud System Engineer
2. The Digital Transformation of Businesses
Digital transformation is defined as the process of implementing new technologies to update and reform traditional processes that were previously performed by humans. In the age of virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI), the digital transformation of businesses is moving forward at a more rapid pace than ever before.
IT’s Role in Business Innovation
As businesses continue to adapt to new technology, the information technology sector is playing a more pivotal role in the daily operations of organizations across all industries. With new technology comes additional challenges, including security concerns and employee training. As a result, there are more IT job opportunities for qualified individuals who have the skills that businesses need to continue evolving with the times.
The Need for IT in All Sectors
The bottom line, all businesses of all sizes and across all sectors and industries need qualified IT professionals on their team, which provides those interested in digital transformation careers with an increased sense of job security. The need for IT in all sectors allows you to pursue an IT job at an organization that aligns with your interests, passions and personal values.
3. Advancements in Technology
Ongoing advancements in technology ensure that there will continue to be IT industry growth. According to McKinsey Digital, some of the technology trends shaping the IT industry today include:
- The power of generative AI. It's expected that by the end of 2024, more than 50 percent of all user experiences will involve some element of AI technology.
- The need for IT as a service. As more and more people begin to incorporate advanced technology into their personal and professional lives, there will be heightened demand for IT as a service, meaning that many people will begin to contract with IT professionals on their own terms.
- The continued trust in biometrics. People are becoming more comfortable and confident with using biometrics, making this a growing niche sector within the IT field.
Keeping Pace With Innovation
Innovation is no longer the exception, it's the norm in our daily lives. As a result, a new perpetual-learning culture has developed requiring IT professionals to continue to keep pace with the latest advancements in technology. Those considering digital transformation careers should know that they will be embarking on a lifelong learning process.
Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Fortunately for those who are interested in technology sector careers, there are many opportunities for continuous learning and advancement. For instance, at University of Minnesota's College of Continuing and Professional Studies, we offer an Information Technology Infrastructure Certificate that allows you to specialize in this niche sector of the IT field and pursue advanced opportunities in the IT field.
4. Remote Work and Global Opportunities
Regardless of the IT specialization areas you are considering, you will find that this industry has ample remote work and global opportunities, giving you the flexibility to build your career around your desired lifestyle. The IT sector had one of the highest rates of remote workers prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that number has only continued to grow in recent years.
Flexibility in the Work Environment
Remote work became commonplace during the onset of the global pandemic, but what was born out of necessity quickly became the preference of American workers in all sectors. Remote work and hybrid job opportunities provide increased flexibility in the work environment, with most people reporting that they can achieve a better sense of work-life balance when they work in one of the remote IT jobs.
Working Across Borders
In addition, remote work opportunities provide those in the IT sector with the chance to work wherever they choose, which may include an international destination. For those who want to travel and explore the world, working across borders is particularly inviting.
5. Competitive Salaries and Benefits
Since IT professionals are highly skilled and in demand across all sectors, there are many IT career opportunities that offer competitive salaries and benefits packages.
According to the BLS, the careers that offer the most competitive IT salaries include:
- Computer and Information Research Scientists — $145,080 Median Annual Salary
- Computer Network Architects — $129,840 Median Annual Salary
- Information Security Analysts — $120,360 Median Annual Salary
- Software Developers and Quality Assurance Analysts — $130,160 Median Annual Salary
Financial Incentives
Depending on the IT job opportunities that you pursue, you may find that the industry you focus on offers additional financial incentives. These can include bonuses associated with your salary and benefits packages for achieving specific benchmarks.
Job Satisfaction and Stability
Overall, people in the IT sector report a high rate of job satisfaction and stability, which allows them to feel more personally and professionally fulfilled.
6. Essential Skills in the Digital Age
Another reason that IT sector careers offer an unparalleled sense of job security and stability is the fact that these professionals are equipped with the essential skills required in the digital age. Across all sectors and industries, the skills that IT professionals acquire and hone over time are in high demand.
IT Skills as Fundamental Tools
The skills that IT professionals develop throughout their education and professional training can be utilized as fundamental tools across all industries.
Some of the most in-demand IT skills, according to CompTIA, include:
- Technical Support
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
- Programming
- Machine Learning
- Database Administration
- Data Science
- Risk Analysis
- Penetration Testing
- Project Management
Versatility and Employability
By developing a wide range of IT skills and investing in continuous learning opportunities, IT professionals will find that they have options within their career. These skills provide you with a sense of versatility and employability that is hard to find in any other sector, as you can seek high-demand IT jobs across all industries.
7. The Resilience of the IT Sector
The IT sector resilience has become a trending topic across all industries because there are few that have the same sense of resilience and security. One of the reasons that the IT sector is so resilient is that the industry relies heavily on advancing technology, and the near-constant changes ensure that the industry is always able to bounce back quickly during any type of downturn.
IT During the Economic Downturn
While the number of jobs available may ebb and flow based on the economic state of a particular industry, the IT sector tends to fare well during any economic downturn. The constant innovations ensure that there is always a need for qualified and skilled IT professionals, and even the remote work movement has helped to strengthen the IT industry.
The Future-Proof Nature of IT Jobs
One of the reasons why you can count on the current IT employment trends to continue is the future-proof nature of IT jobs. IT professionals are often the first to notice burgeoning technology trends that will continue to reshape and redefine all industries, which means that they can begin preparing and building the skills needed to adapt as quickly as possible. Businesses of all sizes and across all sectors will continue to rely heavily on knowledgeable and experienced IT professionals, helping to protect your career and preserve it for the long-term.
