Why People Are Making the Career Switch to IT in 2024

IT? That's a fantastic field!

So, what's your next move in education? Consider IT—it's not just promising, it’s creative, it’s innovative, above all it has a lot of potential!

Thinking about a career change? Jump into IT, where you can choose your own hours and bring some peace and excitement into your life!

IT, IT, IT…. Everywhere is IT, and why shouldn’t it be? It has transformed every field at 360 degrees. Every field, sector and industry that has been touched by Information Technology has been reaping more fruits. It has made work easier, faster and simpler.

We all understand today’s job market is thriving and booming as compared to the last 50 years, and this influences all the processes regarding employment. It is now a decade since the Great Recession, and as far as jobs are concerned, the saying couldn’t be truer – the world is a place full of opportunities. As much as this is good news to those looking to climb the ladder within their careers, the question is what has it reserved for those who intend to switch careers completely? And how do they feel after making the switch?

Fortray gathered data online from a sample of 700 UK employees from several industries to get the answers. Among all the respondents, 49% have switched their fields of work and migrated from one field to IT. Among those, 51% haven’t considered it, and a whopping 65% say they either are considering or have considered the IT career switch at some point. Keep on reading to discover what makes people decide to take such a big step, who is active in this sphere and how they feel about it.

While the primary consideration for seeking another occupation could be the desire for higher pay and employee benefits, there can be many reasons why people may wish to change careers. Gone are the days when people worked in the same career for their entire lives. The employees of this era are more informed about the jobs available in the market—and if they are unhappy with their line of work, they do not hesitate to switch.

But what makes career chasers switch their careers in the first place? Nowadays, employees know they have the right to ask for better treatment, perks, and benefits and cannot be secluded from working under poor conditions. The most evident one is remuneration. Shockingly, 79% of career changers indicated they left their previous positions because they wanted high bucks. The figure goes up to 88% for employees intending to change careers for several other reasons. They were more focused on growth and development. Of these, more than three-quarters of working professionals stated that they desire to learn more and to advance professionally. 78% of all career changers reported that they resigned, in some measure, due to lack of motivation or job satisfaction; 77% because there were better prospects for upward mobility in another line.

Individuals Seek For Happiness!

Happiness is another driving factor. Many people who make the career switch claim they were unhappy with their previous job or field. Happiness at work is a state that people may strive for, but it can be quite hard to define. Yet, whenever it is achieved, it is quite identifiable. Employees weigh multiple factors when considering whether to stay put. It is evident that organizational culture, recognition, and training and promotion options are some ways to make employees happy at the workplace. And IT gives it all!

According to the poll of the workers who do not desire the change and remain in their position, the major factor is not the competitive wages, friendly-staff or colorful office; it is the management teams. Flexibility and pay-off are other important factors career changers cite, as well as the need to be happy. It is noteworthy that today’s professionals not only would prefer but even may expect to have several choices concerning the time and place of their work. Thus, among such vacancies, 79% of the respondents are interested in more flexibility at work, including remote work or shifts.