Go to IT: how to choose a specialty
While our lives are becoming more and more digitized, the IT sphere is attracting more and more attention from those who only choose a profession or intend to change the sphere of activity.
Usually the decision whether «to go to the IT» is influenced by the salary level. Before applying for a job in IT, it is necessary to decide on a specialization, because the concept «work in IT» is too blurred.
In our company I’m personally involved in the hiring of employees. With this in mind, I can give some tips that will help choose the sphere.
The first thing to think about is the source of the knowledge, the duration of its acquisition and practice.
If you’re more inclined to science and plan to become a bookworm at the university for at least five years, then look at theoretical cybernetics. The only nuance is that it is very likely that a decent payment for your work will have to be searched outside Ukraine, because in our country the scientific activity is still not awarded by appropriate salary.
In all other cases (i.e., technical specialization), start with the choice of profession. The possible options are listed below:
The second leitmotif, for you to think, is that practice should begin almost immediately with training, because there is no other way to test whether you are on the right way.
No tests, pieces of advice, guidance will help. Practice, practice and again practice, especially now it is quite easy to get into the “IT shop”. And that’s where you’ll find out if you’re ready to continue working in this area.
The third message is to listen to yourself. The most important thing is to take your time. You should immerse in the world of programmers and feel how close you are to it.
Based on the list in the table above, the fourth advice is to learn English actively before you begin practice. Without knowledge of language, your work may end on the very first day. Indeed, learning without it is highly unlikely. And if you cannot or do not want to learn English, you have to think about other spheres of activity.
The fifth piece of advice — be prepared to continue to improve your skills. It means that you have to try to “ stay tuned” all the time, because technology is not standing still. When you like the chosen direction, you want to continue your education.
Withdrawal
Most of the IT specializations listed in the table can be completed in the respective courses within about one to six months (depending on the chosen occupation). Once you start learning, you know immediately whether it is right or wrong specialty for you. Others need to put the knowledge they have gained into practice and only then will understand was it correct choice of specialty. Accordingly, for you, the answer to the question “should I go to IT?” can be found at the first or the second stage. However, even when you start working, you are still searching. At least, the next step is to find out which position (and therefore the salary level) you aspire to. And the more you like to be in the IT environment, the easier it will be to move up the career ladder.
