| When we decide on a career, or contemplate a | | | | is seeking someone with strong technical skills. |
| career change, most of us want to pursue an | | | | If you love books and knowledge, you could aim for |
| interest that we feel passionate about. Earning a big | | | | a library information management post. If you're into |
| or better salary is also a consideration for many | | | | business, there are lucrative positions with big |
| people, but most of us balance our desires for | | | | companies. |
| financial wealth against the important consideration of | | | | Up to a point, technical expertise in computers is a |
| job satisfaction. An IT career can provide a good | | | | highly transferable skill, and if you're competent then |
| income and also be satisfying and fulfilling work. | | | | you won't have to worry about long stretches out |
| As with any sector, IT has many niches, areas of | | | | of work. However, it's also important to realize that |
| specialization and opportunities to carve a career path | | | | jobs in IT have become increasingly specialized over |
| that is personally rewarding. The first question | | | | the years. Experience and knowledge in one field |
| anyone should ask themselves is whether they truly | | | | won't necessarily carry you over to another if you |
| have the ability to cut it in what is a competitive as | | | | get bored with your specialty. Also, for top-level |
| well as challenging field. Loving your computer, or the | | | | jobs, competition can be fierce. |
| fun things you can do with your high speed | | | | Career-switching is a lot more common than it used |
| broadband connection, may not be enough to sustain | | | | to be. A computer career that appealed when you |
| you on a career path. | | | | were 20, and aspired to be Bill Gates, may not look |
| Twenty years ago the world of careers in computers | | | | so great 10 years later. If you do change your mind, |
| and information management was wide open. In the | | | | information technology skills can be very helpful in |
| present it has taken a rather different shape, and | | | | allowing you to move laterally into other careers. If |
| even ability won't necessarily get you where you | | | | you can stay abreast of developments, a solid |
| want to go. A bachelor's degree is an entry level | | | | background in computers means you'll always have |
| requirement for most high-paying IT jobs, and you | | | | something to fall back on. |
| will have to start by making a commitment to a few | | | | If you think an IT career is the road you want to |
| years as a student. If that puts you off, maybe you | | | | travel, don't skimp on the forward planning. Careers in |
| should think again. | | | | this industry offer potential for job satisfaction and |
| On the positive side, the information technology | | | | material rewards, as well as a great deal of choice. If |
| sector offers people with the appropriate skills a | | | | you make the right choices, an information |
| wide range of career choices. No matter what | | | | technology training could serve you well throughout |
| industry interests you, it's likely that there is a | | | | your working life. |
| workplace in that domain where the HR department | | | | |