Despite innovations, disruptions, and rapid changes, IT is one industry that continues to survive and thrive

Contrary to popular misconceptions, the information technology sector is flourishing and will continue to employ skilled workers in large numbers. Factors like automation and new technologies only open new opportunities for your IT career path.

Technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics, scientific advancements like space exploration and medical procedures, provide tremendous opportunities for IT experts.

For IT professionals in the US who are scared of outsourcing, fear not! Most of the outsourced jobs are mundane, repetitive jobs which will be automated sooner or later.

However, the innovative IT jobs are on the rise. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for someone who is a tech wizard.

If you’re interested in knowing what an IT professional’s career path looks like, keep reading….

It’s difficult but interesting

Working in the IT industry is not a cakewalk. But then, nor is it in any other industry!

If you have an affinity for technology and enjoy working on new complex challenges, the IT industry is for you.

You might have heard numerous stories of IT professionals who work day and night in their offices without even the time to go home just for a few hours.

It’s true. There are times when they have to slog and stretch. However, what most of the people ignore is the fact that a large number of people in this industry are highly passionate about their job. They enjoy their work more than anything else, which is the reason for their sustainability and growth despite the work pressure.

Working in the IT industry lets you apply your analytical mind, logic, and creativity.

If you want to become a successful IT professional, you must have passion, persistence and stamina.  If you do, success will be yours.

Career paths in the IT industry

Information technology is a vast industry with 100s of specialties. Some are discussed here:

Database Administrator

Big Data’s a revolution. Every enterprise generates massive volumes of data through its customer interactions, which is needed for analytics. This is where a DBA plays a key role.

Graphic Design

It’s where the creativity meets technology. If you’re a skilled artist, becoming a graphic designer is the right career for you.

Video Game Developer and Tester

Advancements in technology and graphic designing have made video games more sophisticated than ever. There’s tremendous scope as a games developer or tester.

Animator

Animators get to show their skills to a far greater extent now than ever. From animated movies to live action films, and advertisements and games, animation offers tremendous scope.

IT Security

The advancements in IT have also increased the threats. Viruses and malware are pretty common, and there’s always a requirement for more skilled IT security professionals to deal with the threats.

Programming and Coding

Coding shall never be out of the fashion. Most of the top entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerburg started out as coders. There’s immense scope in this field.

Project Manager

This comes as an advanced career path once you’ve moved up the ladder in the IT industry. As a project manager, you get to manage people and entire projects.

Conclusion

IT industry continues to offer significant scope for those who are willing to work hard and smart. Learn IT courses and programming languages online to move one step ahead towards building an exciting career in the IT industry.  If you’re looking to begin a new career, browse our course catalog and see how easy it is to get started in an IT career.

Average annual compensation for software developers and system engineers in the USA is around $104,500. A career in the IT sector not only offers a handsome salary and tremendous learning opportunities but it also provides a global exposure. The demand for digital tools and services is growing across all industries in the USA which is driving the growth in employment in Information Technology sector.  There is no better time than today to build a sound career in the IT industry!

Here are your 5 Steps to Landing a Job in the IT Industry

1.) Learn a Programming Language

To develop a career in the IT sector, you need to learn a programming language or a particular IT skill. Join an online course and gain mastery over any programming language or related skill set. Check out the applications and specialized software programs that are powered by the language you are learning. Try to work on as many real word projects as possible.  Practice rigorously, and build a robust portfolio. The portfolio will be extremely useful in showing your skills to potential employers.

2.) Get Certified

Not all programming languages have official certification exams. However, for some languages such as Java SE 8 programming, etc. you have the option to get certified by an authorized body. Taking advantage of certifications to advance your career in the IT sector is a smart move. Get certified by the appropriate widely recognized body. While the certification may not be entirely necessary, it will help you gain more credibility in your area of expertise and set you apart from other similarly qualified applicants.

3.) Write a Focused Resume

You need to invest significant time in developing a resume that represents your skills and accomplishments. Don’t copy the buzzwords from the internet. Prepare a short resume (1-2 pages) with all relevant details. It must be tailor-made for the job you are applying. This means it should have only the pertinent information related to the position you are applying for. By creating job customized resumes, you will increase your chances of getting that all important first interview.

4.) Expand your Network

Make an impressive LinkedIn profile and add relevant connections on a regular basis. Use a professional profile photo and complete the employment section with updated information. Use the right keywords that reflect your personality traits and professional skill sets. Engage with industry professionals and develop genuine relationships on the platform. Ask your classmates, current and former colleagues for a recommendation on LinkedIn. Remember that a majority of recruiters go through candidates’ LinkedIn profiles before calling them for the interview. Thus, an excellent LinkedIn profile can contribute significantly to your career’s success.

5.) Prepare for the Interview

An interview may last for 30 minutes or more. However, almost a third of interviewers know within the first 90 seconds whether they are going to hire you or not. That means, your first impression not only counts but impacts the selection process significantly. Thus, work on your personality and do everything that boosts your confidence. Pay close attention to your  outfit and personal hygiene. If the interview is on the phone, be aware of background noise and any speaking habits that hurt your credibility (“uhhh…”, “like…like…like”, speaking too fast, etc.)

Before appearing for the interview, brush-up your knowledge about the company and make sure to have a list of relevant questions pertaining to the job in question. During the interview, maintain a direct eye contact with the interviewer. Crack a smile when you are feeling less confident and speak assertively. Recruiters don’t hire people who are not sure about their expertise. Thus, stay positive and be confident during the entire interview process.

The Bottom Line…

Being prepared for the role you want and the company you’re interviewing for is crucial.   Be ready to work hard and become an expert in your field. Enroll for advanced online IT courses to keep your knowledge updated. Remember that to be successful in the technology industry, you need to learn new things continuously so that you can add value to the business from the start and all the way through your career.

Python powers some of the most popular online sites such as YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest.  Millions of high-traffic websites use Python because it is unarguably the program with the most intuitive syntax.

To understand this let’s take a look at the “Hello World” snippet below, written in Python and other popular programming languages.

Java Programming

1. class hello {
2. public static void main(String []args){
3. System.out.println(“Hello World”);
4. }
5. }

C Programming

1. #include <stdio.h>
2. main() {
3. printf(“Hello World”);
4. }

Python Programming

1. print “Hello World”

Here are some useful tips to get started with Python:

Pick up the right version

Python has two existing versions, Python 2 and Python 3. As a beginner, you may not be able to differentiate between the two versions. However, do some research and find out the right version for you. Python 3 is the significantly improved version of Python 2. But, since many developers didn’t like Python 3, they went back to Python 2, so you will find applications based on both the versions.  Choose your version carefully so that you don’t need to switch it later.

Use Python interpreter

Install Python interpreter and use it extensively. The interpreter will read instructions and execute commands. It also gives instructions on how the code should be executed. The interpreter is mainly needed to run the code you write.

Check this example of an online Python interpreter: http://mathcs.holycross.edu/~kwalsh/python/

As you can see,the interpreter reads the instructions, asks for inputs (the commands) and returns an answer. It helps you understand how your code is working. If the code has an error, it will highlight the same.

Don’t mess with indentations

If you have ever worked with a programming language, you know how a small mistake in coding can lead to a failure of the entire program and leads to endless frustration. In Python, indentations or Tabs, play a crucial role in the coding. An unintentional ‘tab’ while writing the code can lead to a never ending loop. So, plan and organize your code appropriately. Don’t use an indentation unless it is a must!

Join communities

Online communities provide a great opportunity to learn programming and share experiences. Join active Python communities and participate frequently. Ask senior members when you are stuck on something. Check out the problems, solutions, and code which are shared by other members. Always try to write fewer lines of codes for achieving complex programming goals. Unlike other programming languages, Python is quite straightforward and will enable you to learn to code efficiently and bring ideas to life using fewer lines of codes.

Invest in Your Education

There are plenty of resources on the internet on Python programming. Some of them are free while others are premium courses with active support from the service. If you are serious about making a career in Python development, you need to choose the resources carefully. Premium online training programs come with an organized step-by-step training methodology that saves time and teaches you the best practices of coding. Also, expert trainers bring with them years of industry experience. They can guide you through the application of concepts in various contexts and real-world situations. Therefore, it is advisable to invest in training and development to perfect your technical skills in Python to understand the applications of concepts in various contexts.

Conclusion

Attention to details sets excellent programmers apart from the crowd. Anyone can learn the syntax and write hundreds of lines of code. However, you need to plan your project and develop the right strategies to turn concepts into reality. Python is a high-level programming language that can be used to solve many business challenges. Learning this programming language can significantly boost your career. So, it is wiser to invest in a good Python training program and learn it like a boss to become a True Python professional.