The Eldorado for Many: How to Start a Career in IT

Salaries ranging from the famous 15k at the start to 40/50/insert any k per month tempted and still tempt thousands of people who just want to "click on this computer". But what does entry into the IT industry really look like today? Who and when can receive these often fabulous amounts of remuneration and... at what price?

Growing myths around the IT industry, the period around and after the pandemic, when problems with work provision affected the IT sector the least, and thanks to the quick implementation of the so-called "home office" caused an increasing percentage of people wanting to work in IT. Looking at studies that show that by 2030 at the earliest, we will have a relative balance between the demand for technology specialists and their profiles, the idea of professional success seems guaranteed. Therefore, it should not be surprising that new centers/schools/training programs keep appearing, retraining or introducing novices to the theoretical world of IT. Does everyone here find a land flowing with milk and honey? So, from the beginning... let's debunk a few myths from different stages of our lives:

 

1. I'm finishing high school, going to technological studies:

This is the most sensible scenario from the perspective of later work in IT when choosing a career path. Young, full of enthusiasm, without financial and family burdens, having time to climb the career ladder and, consequently, salaries, often having theoretical knowledge combined with passion, self-improvement, and full focus on what they do.

The entire technological industry is divided into dozens of different professions: from those who create code, i.e., program, through testers, coordinators, support to the human resources department. Modern technology studies are also a good time to check which direction to follow; whether to program, test, or perhaps be closer to the client because my extroversion will not let me work so "quietly" for many years. If we are self-aware, we can guide our lives as we want. If we are unsure, we can always "research" this topic among peers or, for example, with a (very well-checked!) career counselor. Indeed, we are dealing with a proper, logical path here, giving not only knowledge but also time to check if it's really for me, and above all, getting to know the industry from the first year of studies. After all, informal knowledge is the most significant developmental baggage carried by given communities. So whoever is at this stage gets +100 for an easier start!

 

2. I have completed engineering studies, I don't work in the profession, but I want to start:

Projects, projects, and projects again. The thing that can help you get your first commercial role is your portfolio. Contrary to appearances, many employers require or desire completed studies in computer science or related fields, so that's already a plus for you. Have something to show off, and you're already on the second step. Now just be prepared that regardless of how old you are and how long you've been working, you will be treated as a junior here - both in terms of the tasks assigned to you and the remuneration for them. And now, beware, this may be drastic for many people dreaming of starting from the 15k mark - juniors often receive rates of around 4-5 thousand zlotys based on a contract or popular IT B2B cooperation (cooperation between companies, which requires setting up a business).

 

3. I am not associated with the industry, but my passion is technology:

Here we have the broadest and most diverse group, which most strongly storms often well-bolted doors to IT. A few years ago, the job market demand was so strong that people who were genuinely passionate about programming were enough to show the appropriate level of substantive knowledge to be added to the teams. However, 2023 showed that:

• junior positions often receive over 500 applications;
• it's harder to find starter roles in languages related to frontend;
• completing a bootcamp often results in only a grimace of a smile from management deciding on further recruitment stages or final employment;
• a portfolio alone often isn't enough - you need to stand out!

So, it might seem that the chances are lost. Not at all! They are still there, but they require more commitment from us than a few years ago. Galloping digitization, the advent of artificial intelligence, globalization, all this means that we too must evolve with our competencies.

So what to do to make finding your first job easy, fast, and pleasant? What to do not to be one of 5,806 applicants?

• Educate ourselves and future generations in career planning! Look to the future, try to anticipate certain consequences, cultivate the ability for quick adaptations, develop soft skills that allow us to sell our talent in a dynamic job market.
• If we do something, let's do it well! Don't count on a four-weekend bootcamp making you a Senior DevOps or Operations Director. With such massive waves of disinformation in recent years, as a society, we should already learn to verify advertising content. If you still can't do this - pour a bucket of cold water on your head and reconsider if "From zero to IT hero" is possible thanks to investing 10 days in webinars and spending 5/10 or 15 thousand zlotys.
• Prepare your CV! It's supposed to sell us in the first minutes of our efforts for a given role. Want to know what a well-prepared CV should look like? Follow our blog and social media - a comprehensive article about building a CV in the IT industry will appear here soon.
• Don't limit your job search paths. The world doesn't end with a few popular job boards. Prepare a good LinkedIn profile with the "open to work" tag, establish direct contacts with recruiters, company employees, go beyond LinkedIn and visit the direct website of the employer you are interested in, participate in webinars or conferences, use Facebook groups and chats - BUILD A NETWORK!

And... follow the social media of "Dorwij Nerda" (Catch a Nerd) where you will always find substantive content, contacts to recruiters, and the latest job offers!