What’s it Like to Work in IT? Career Advice and More!

Article updated on 02/07/26

Working in IT means solving problems, collaborating across teams, and continuously learning as technology evolves. IT roles span everything from cybersecurity and data architecture to product management and technical support, making it one of the most varied and accessible fields in the modern economy. Whether you are technical or not, there is likely a role in IT that fits your strengths.

• IT occupations are projected to add approximately 377,500 job openings per year through 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

• As of May 2022, the median annual wage for IT occupations was $100,530 (BLS) – more than double the median wage across all U.S. occupations.

• IT roles include both technical functions (software development, cybersecurity, network engineering) and non-technical functions (project management, business analysis, product strategy).

• Soft skills like communication and adaptability are as valued by IT employers as technical skills.

• Curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning are the most consistently cited success factors among IT professionals.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wrote:

“Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 377,500 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.“

The IT field is projected to add approximately 377,500 job openings per year through 2032 (BLS). As of May 2022, the median annual wage for IT occupations was $100,530. By comparison, the median annual wage across all U.S. occupations was $46,310 in the same period — making IT one of the highest-paying fields in the country.

There’s so much opportunity within the IT industry—anyone can make their mark.

Curious about how to get started and what you need to be successful in the industry? You’re in the right spot. People enter IT from every conceivable background — some through formal computer science programs, others through self-taught experimentation, career changes, or simply following where their curiosity led them. What the most successful IT professionals tend to share is not a specific degree or a particular starting point. It is a genuine interest in how systems work, a tolerance for ambiguity, and a willingness to keep learning as the technology evolves. We asked EasyVista professionals across engineering, product, sales, and business development what drew them to the field — and what they wish they had known earlier.

Why did you choose to work in IT?

• “To thumb one’s nose at the natural rule that says nothing is lost, everything is transformed. In computer science, one can create from nothing.”

• “Being in a dynamic environment with an ever-evolving technology that helps make the world better.”

• “In IT, and more precisely research and development (R&D), I liked the algorithmic part that can solve any issue.”

• “Technology is the future, and IT is relevant in every industry.”

IT Career Advice: What Experienced Professionals Want You to Know

The skills recruiters prioritize shift constantly, one year it’s Python expertise, the next it’s emerging languages like Zig or Erlang. The one constant in IT is that the field is always evolving, which means continuous learning is not optional. That said, what remains steady is there’s always work to be done. Companies are pushing for further adoption of digital technologies and need people to fill the positions. What you need to know about adapting successfully to work in this ever-changing industry:

• “Working in IT is not just writing code.”

• “Be curious!”

• “You can do more than you think you can.”

• “IT is massive – you can do anything from swapping tape drives to writing code that goes to the moon. Don’t assume that the area of IT you start in is going to be the one you stay in. Branch out, have fun, and find a position that makes you happy and keeps you interested.”

• “Try to understand all aspects of the business. Knowing what your internal customers’ needs are can help you prioritize and provide solutions that are valuable to the organization.”

What soft skills should someone in the IT field have?

Soft skills – interpersonal skills that show a person’s ability to interact with others (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership, creativity) – are just as important as hard skills, the technical skills (e.g., coding in Python), in IT. Why? Because most jobs (even those that are remote) involve a mixture of problem solving and some aspect of working with others to accomplish a task.

• “Being able to articulate ideas clearly and build relationships is crucial. Understanding prospects’ needs requires a high level of empathy and emotional intelligence.”

• “Adaptability and flexibility.”

• “Good communication is key. You don’t need to be the smartest person in the room if you can communicate well and adapt to the audience in front of you.”

What is your favorite part of your job?

Every day of your working life will not be an amazing day. Sometimes you’ll have a tough conversation with a client or will be stuck on a problem for weeks without an end in sight as to how to save the company money in a specific department. But the secret to enjoying your job, even when it’s tough, is to find a place where you enjoy working (i.e., the company you work for or the clients you work with) and other parts of your job you enjoy doing (e.g., updating Excel files or hopping on discovery calls with customers). It’s about balancing it all to find a happy medium.

• “Get projects done, learn, repeat.”

• “Solving customer issues and helping them achieve their goals.”

• “Seeing the success of the customer. Deploying an IT system may not seem the most exciting of tasks, but when the customer starts to see the benefits of your work, it is incredibly fulfilling.”

• “When we achieve goals set out by collaborating and executing well together. Nothing goes perfectly as planned, and that’s OK. It’s in those moments when the team bands together to overcome the issue and continue moving forward that are the most rewarding.”

What advice do you have for someone new to the IT industry?

When you start your career in IT, remember everyone’s new to the IT industry (or whatever industry they work in) at some point in their life, so there’s no harm in being the new person on the block – absorb every experience and piece of knowledge you can. Ask questions. Learn from your peers. Find continuing education programs to complete.

• “Keep in mind that what you will do in 5 years does not exist yet.”

• “Embrace any challenge, stay curious and up to date with the new technologies.”

• “Be curious and do not hesitate to ask questions.”

• “Work hard, absorb knowledge, and find the people who have been in the industry for years to learn from them.”

• “Be a sponge. Work with as many different organizations as possible. A career can be an interesting journey and someone with many views to a business can provide a lot of value to an organization.”

IT is a great industry to work in because the field is continuously growing and expanding. There are new jobs created every year. And there’s always a problem to solve or process to improve. That said, the hardest part about working in IT isn’t about finding an open position or a company to work for, it’s deciding what specifically fits your strengths and where you can make the greatest impact.

Frequently Asked Questions About IT Careers

What degrees are relevant to working in IT?

Top college degrees for those looking to pursue a career in IT include computer science, web development, software engineering, and business information technology. Those looking to work in IT but not necessarily on the technical side should consider degrees in communications, marketing, finance, and business. For those who prefer an alternative to a four-year degree, certifications such as CompTIA A+, Google IT Support Professional Certificate, and Cisco’s CCNA are widely recognized entry points into IT roles.

What is the purpose of IT?

The field of information technology (IT) – both its processes and professionals – serves to help organizations maintain their digital infrastructure through creating, collecting, managing, and analyzing data. Beyond keeping the lights on, mature IT functions increasingly drive strategic value: enabling automation, improving decision-making through data analytics, and accelerating digital transformation initiatives. In this sense, IT is not just a support function — it is a core business capability that directly influences an organization’s ability to compete, scale, and manage risk.

What are in-demand jobs in the IT industry?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and widely cited industry research, the most in-demand IT roles currently include big data architect, DevOps engineer (a professional who bridges software development and IT operations), IT director, AI product manager, and cybersecurity analyst. Information security analysts are projected to grow 32% through 2032 – nearly three times the average for all occupations – while data scientists and cloud architects are similarly experiencing strong demand as organizations accelerate digital transformation.

What are IT professionals?

IT professionals – particularly those who are building products or responding to cyber threats and support tickets – create networks and communications systems that ensure organizations can work efficiently. Their role is to ensure the systems they oversee are secure and updated, protecting against cyber attacks and operational disruption.

Do you need a degree to work in IT?

Not necessarily. While a four-year degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field remains a common path into IT, many employers now weight industry certifications – such as CompTIA Security+, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, ITIL Foundation, or Google IT Support Professional Certificate – as heavily as formal degrees, particularly for mid-career transitions. Bootcamps, apprenticeships, and self-directed learning combined with portfolio projects can also position candidates competitively for many entry-level and mid-level IT roles. The most important factor is demonstrable skill, not the credential that produced it.

If you’re interested in starting or continuing your career in IT, EasyVista is a great place to add to your list of potential companies. View our hiring page to learn more about our global company policies, work-life balance, and open positions.