Should I Start A Career in Information Technology After AI and ML?

Do you want to Start a Career as College Student in Information Technology? If yes, then let’s get to know each and every detail of your career path in the IT field as a college student.

Do you want to start a career in Information Technology but have doubts because you see and hear a lot about AI and ML? If yes, then let’s get to know every detail of your career path in the IT field.

Starting a career in Information Technology (IT) offers a range of opportunities to develop technical skills, gain practical experience, and position yourself for a successful future in the IT industry. Here’s a roadmap to guide you about how to start your career in IT :

Why Start a Career in Information Technology?

Usually, Information Technology (IT) refers to the use of technology, systems, and processes to manage and process information, data, and communications within organizations and across various industries.

Besides, IT encompasses various technologies, services, and applications that enable data storage, retrieval, transmission, and manipulation for multiple purposes.

Further, It is crucial in modern business operations, communication, and daily life. Presently, the IT sector is booming rapidly. This has provided various career options as a college student in Information Technology.

Starting a career in IT opens the door to a dynamic and evolving industry that offers diverse professional and personal growth opportunities.

Whether passionate about coding, data analysis, cybersecurity, or emerging technologies, the IT sector provides a platform to pursue your interests and make a meaningful impact.

Apart from financial incentives, various lucrative factors can motivate you to start your career in Information Technology.

1. High Demand for IT Professionals:

The IT industry constantly evolves and expands, leading to high demand for skilled professionals in various roles such as software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and more.

According to Debjani Ghosh, President of the Nasscom

In the no-normal environment that we are living in today, the industry focus continues to be on investing for growth. Propelled by forward-looking policies, strong governance, talent and digital trust to ensure accessibility, privacy, security, and reliability, the Tech Industry in India is on track to accelerate growth to $500 bn by 2030.

2. Wide Range of Career Options:

Usually, IT encompasses various roles and specializations, from programming and systems administration to software engineering, data science, cloud computing, Ethical hacking and artificial intelligence.

It allows you to choose a path that aligns with your interests and strengths. Besides, with continuous learning and skill development, you can achieve long-term career growth and take on more challenging and senior roles.

Even if you are reading and hearing about AI and ML and coding jobs will become obsolete, I think the best person to be able to work on AI and ML are the IT guys only. So yes, AI may disrupt how you do the work now, but you can also take advantage of the disruption as an IT professional.

3. Competitive Salaries:

Generally, IT professionals enjoy competitive salaries and attractive compensation packages due to the specialized skills and expertise required for the roles. We have provided complete salary data later part of the article.

Indeed, the high rate of salary offered to IT professionals in India is because the Indian IT sector exports its services majorly to the US and other developed countries. As these countries provide a high pay scale, the Indian IT profession also gets comparatively high salaries. As per Glassdoor data,

4. Flexibility and Remote Work:

Many IT roles offer flexibility regarding work hours and remote work. This can provide a better work-life balance and adapt to changing needs.

5. Global Opportunities:

The skills acquired in the IT sector are in demand worldwide, offering the potential for global career opportunities and the chance to work with diverse teams.

Apart from this, the digital transformation of industries ensures that IT professionals remain in demand, providing job stability globally in an ever-changing job market.

6. Entrepreneurship and Startups:

The IT sector is conducive to entrepreneurship, allowing you to start a tech-focused business or work with startups on innovative projects.

How to start a career in IT while in college?

Starting a career in Information Technology (IT) as a college student is a great way to gain a head start in this dynamic field. The Information Technology (IT) field offers diverse career paths, each catering to different skills and interests.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you begin your journey towards a successful  Career as College Student in Information Technology:

Define Your IT Path

Firstly, you need to identify the specific area of IT that interests you the most, such as software development, cybersecurity, data analysis, network administration, or web development.

Now you need to enrol in courses related to your chosen IT path. Further, your college’s IT curriculum should offer foundational and specialized courses.

Build Technical Skills

Developing proficiency in programming languages, databases, networking concepts, and other technical skills relevant to your chosen IT path can boost your career in Information Technology as a college student.

However, one can start developing these skills in college itself. You can even visit companies and do an internship.

Certifications:

Generally, a certification programme will provide detailed knowledge and develop a required skill. Usually, these programmes are short-term and skill-based programs.

Consider earning industry-recognized certifications like CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft MCSA, or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Here is a list of certification programmes for a successful Career as College Student in Information Technology.

1. CompTIA Certifications:

• CompTIA A+ (Entry-level IT skills)
• CompTIA Network+ (Networking)
• CompTIA Security+ (Cybersecurity)
• CompTIA Cloud+ (Cloud computing)
• CompTIA Linux+ (Linux administration)

2. Cisco Certifications:

• Cisco CCNA (Networking)
• Cisco CCNP (Advanced networking)
• Cisco CCIE (Expert-level networking)

3. Microsoft Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (Cloud computing)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (Azure cloud administration)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (Azure cloud development)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Azure architecture)

4. AWS Certifications:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

5. Google Cloud Certifications:

• Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
• Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer

6. ITIL Certifications:

• ITIL Foundation (IT service management)
• ITIL Intermediate (Various tracks including Service Operation, Service Transition, etc.)5. Internships and Co-op Programs:
• Seek internships or cooperative education programs that provide hands-on experience and insights into the real-world IT environment.
• Look for entry-level IT internships and part-time jobs that align with your interests and skills.

Networking:

Attend networking events, career fairs, and conferences to connect with IT professionals, potential employers, and peers. However, collaborate with peers on coding projects, hackathons, or IT-related initiatives to enhance your skills and teamwork.

Further, you can contribute to open-source projects on platforms like GitHub to showcase your skills and contribute to the IT community.

Indeed take part in coding competitions, IT challenges, and tech contests to test your skills and challenge yourself. Become a member of IT-related clubs and organizations on campus to network, learn, and collaborate with like-minded students.

Build a professional online presence through LinkedIn and GitHub to showcase your projects and connect with professionals.

Tailor Your Resume:

Now customize your resume to highlight your technical skills, projects, internships, and relevant certifications. However, tailoring your resume for the IT sector involves highlighting your technical skills, applicable experience, and accomplishments clearly and concisely.

Additionally, Include a separate section highlighting your relevant IT projects, both personal and professional. Indeed describe the projects, technologies used, your role, and outcomes.

If you have relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA A+, CCNA, AWS Certified Solutions Architect), create a section to list them.

After that, one can publish this resume on an online job portal to get selected.

Also read:

How College Student can Write a Resume?

As a college student, if you want a well-written resume, here are a few tips to get you a better-written resume for you

Prepare for Interviews:

Usually, Preparing for an IT sector interview requires a combination of technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and effective communication.

Practice answering technical interview questions and coding challenges. Indeed be ready to discuss your experiences and skills.

Further, be prepared for behavioural questions that assess your teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities.

Also, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.

In short, remember that interviews are about technical skills and assessing your overall fit for the role and the company. Show your enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and ability to adapt to challenges.

Starting your IT career as a college student requires dedication, curiosity, and a proactive approach. However, by building a solid foundation of technical skills, gaining practical experience, and nurturing your network, you can set yourself up for success career in the IT field.

Growth in the IT sector in India

Indeed the scope of Information Technology (IT) in India is vast and continues to expand as technology becomes increasingly integrated into various aspects of business, industry, and daily life.

Besides, India has established itself as a global IT hub, offering numerous opportunities for growth, innovation, and career advancement.

Further, the growth of the Information Technology (IT) sector in India has been remarkable over the past few decades.

Besides, India’s IT sector has evolved significantly, transitioning from primarily a services provider to a hub for technological innovation and research.

According to the IT & BPM Industry Report 2022, the IT and BPM market accounts for 9.3% of India’s Gross domestic product (GDP).

The growth trajectory reflects the sector’s ability to adapt to changing market demands and emerging technologies.

With a large talent pool, a favourable business environment, and ongoing technological advancements, the IT sector in India is poised for continued growth and contributions to the global technology landscape.

As per the data of the Government of India,

India’s IT sector exports most of its services, making it a major contributor to the total IT export, which is valued at $149 billion in FY21. The significant contribution that the IT industry makes to the GDP of India shows just how important the IT sector is.

Salary of IT professionals in India

Usually, the salary structure for IT professionals in India can vary widely based on factors such as experience, skills, location, job role, company size, and industry. Here’s a general overview of the salary range for different levels of IT professionals in India:

1. Entry-Level Positions:

• Software Developer/Engineer: ₹3,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 per annum
• Data Analyst: ₹3,50,000 – ₹6,50,000 per annum
• Quality Assurance Analyst: ₹3,00,000 – ₹5,50,000 per annum
• IT Support Engineer: ₹2,50,000 – ₹4,50,000 per annum

2. Mid-Level Positions:

• Senior Software Developer/Engineer: ₹6,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 per annum
• Data Scientist: ₹8,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 per annum
• DevOps Engineer: ₹6,50,000 – ₹12,00,000 per annum
• IT Project Manager: ₹8,00,000 – ₹18,00,000 per annum

3. Senior Positions:

• Technical Architect: ₹15,00,000 – ₹25,00,000+ per annum
• Data Science Manager: ₹12,00,000 – ₹25,00,000+ per annum
• IT Director: ₹20,00,000 – ₹40,00,000+ per annum
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO): ₹25,00,000 – ₹50,00,000+ per annum

Indeed the salary figures mentioned above are approximate averages and can vary based on factors like location, company reputation, industry, individual negotiation skills, and the current market conditions.

These figures also do not include potential bonuses, stock options, or other benefits that can contribute to an IT professional’s total compensation.

Factors Affecting IT Salaries in India:

• Location: Usually, salaries are higher in metropolitan cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi due to higher living costs and the concentration of tech companies.
• Experience: More experience often leads to higher pay. Experienced professionals with niche skills command higher salaries.
• Skillset: Proficiency in specialized skills like machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and blockchain can lead to higher compensation.
• Industry: Salaries can vary based on the industry sector, with finance, healthcare, and e-commerce offering competitive packages.
• Company Size: Larger, established companies often offer better compensation and broad growth scope than startups.
• Education Qualification: Candidates with advanced degrees (master’s or PhD) might receive higher offers.
• Certifications: Industry-recognized certifications can boost your earning potential.
• Negotiation Skills: Effective negotiation can influence your salary package.

Further, it’s important to research industry standards and market trends while considering job opportunities. Additionally, remember that the IT field is dynamic, and salaries are influenced by the continuous evolution of technology and demand for specific skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Lastly, as technology continues to evolve, the scope and impact of Information Technology expand across industries and sectors. Indeed IT professionals are crucial in helping organizations leverage technology to streamline operations, improve efficiency, enhance customer experiences, and drive innovation.