Are you considering a career change or just starting your career and curious about the Tech Industry? Have you heard conflicting stories? Some people say that Tech companies are the place to be with a casual dress code, pool tables, bean bags and high paying jobs for everyone. On the other hand, maybe you’ve heard that the working hours are unrelenting, the culture that is portrayed on LinkedIn is just a facade and in fact it is not at all glamorous. In all honesty, I cannot speak for what it is like to work at every Tech company out there, however can I share the experience that I have had for the last 4 years in this Industry as well as what I am hearing from my friends in other similar companies to mine. And I would wholeheartedly recommend pursuing a career in the Tech Industry. I think there are countless reasons but here I’ve narrowed it down to my top 5 reasons, in no particular order.
#1 The Fast Pace
We all know how quickly technology in general is changing how we live our lives. Being immersed in that environment for your job is incredibly fast paced and exciting. We’ve all had previous jobs where we’d glance at our watch at 10am only to realise we had to endure 7.5 more hours before we could clock off or go home. I have held various positions in the Tech industry and during that time I have never felt like the day dragged on. If anything, it is the opposite. I am rushing to complete my tasks for the day. If you are driven, ambitious and you can thrive in an environment with constant change and high expectations, you might just love the Tech Industry. Make no mistake, the fast pace can make things challenging and stressful at times but overall, if you can find comfort in this kind of environment you will be constantly stimulated and engaged. On the other hand, there are people who like to take things at a slower pace, who feel stressed out by constant change and a faster pace. If you fall into this category then you may need to consider whether or not this environment is for you.
#2 Work Hard Play Hard
In my experience there is a ‘Work Hard, Play Hard’ mentality in Tech companies. This means that you will be constantly challenged, you will always be asked to push yourself to produce your best work, you will face constant deadlines and as soon as one project is complete you will be onto the next. However it also means that the work you do will be incredibly rewarding. You will be surrounded by people who are willing to work just as hard, who are interested in both learning from you and helping you and you will have the opportunity to celebrate that effort and hard work, together and often. Although the work we do is important, there is always room to enjoy the process. Afterwards, there are many opportunities to celebrate together and you might be wondering what that looks like. These celebrations can be anything from ‘family days’ at the office, to evening or weekend socials such as going on hikes or cruises or to comedy gigs together. Let’s not forget those weekly after work beers which very often take place in the office with the company providing the beverages. These gatherings are also supplemented by quarter end parties and Christmas and Summer celebrations. If you are not afraid of some hard work, there really is an opportunity to celebrate that work in whatever way feels good to you and you get the opportunity to participate in as much or as little of that as you want but it is definitely a huge perk for me.
#3 Personal & Career Development
Many people who work in the Tech Industry will tell you that they simply fell into this industry somewhat accidentally. My story is a little different. I had a few years of professional experience in sales but outside of the tech industry and made a very intentional move into this industry. The reason for that was largely to do with the opportunity for career development. Through my research I could see that, it was and still is, a growing industry with no ceiling on what I could achieve. I have not been disappointed. I have been in my current company for four years and I still see no sign of the opportunity for learning and development slowing down. This is something you can take for granted if you have only ever experienced an industry like this but it is a real advantage and something to consider as you plan your career. What I did not necessarily expect was the opportunity that I have had to develop myself on a personal level. I have already mentioned above the amount of social celebrations that we have the opportunity to participate in but there are also a number of good causes that I have been able to get involved with directly through my company. And this is not unusual within the Tech Industry. If you have a desire to develop both professionally and personally, if you enjoy volunteering or contributing to causes that are close to your heart then again the Tech Industry could be a great choice. I encourage you to do your research to see what the options are for each company and if you are interviewing be sure you ask questions around this topic to understand better what the options are. One thing is for sure though, the Tech industry is big on giving back and enabling their people to do so
#4 The People
Everyone always gives kudos to the people around them so I know this may seem like a typical and cheesy thing to say however I feel so strongly about it I cannot leave it out. I have worked in a number of industries but I have never felt a sense of community like I do within the tech industry. And in this, I am talking about not only the people who I work with directly in the company I work for but also I have been able to make friends from other companies within the Industry purely based on the fact that people are very open to collaborating, developing relationships and trading value. I have made friends for life and have the chance to work with some of the smartest people I have met. If you are someone who enjoys collaborating, idea sharing and meeting new people this may be an interesting industry for you. As I previously mentioned, the tech industry is constantly changing and evolving and this means that there is always something to learn from those who have more experience than you and there is always something you can share with those with less experience as well. This is an industry where everyone seems to understand the concept of paying it forward and helping one another out as well as being highly competitive, driven and ambitious with their own careers. SavvySalesDev.com was inspired by a desire to give back to this community and provide value to one another.
#5 Show me the Money
Last and certainly not least, the final reason why I think you should work in the Tech Industry is for the money. It is no secret that people who work in this industry are well compensated for the work they (we) do. On top of that there are also many benefits and perks associated with the industry. I have to emphasise that I really believe that money alone is not enough to fulfil you and keep you motivated to the level that is required in order to be successful in this industry. And that is one of the reasons I left it until last. However, if you feel like you are a person who could strive in this environment based on what I’ve already discussed above then yes, being well compensated for the work you do will be a very welcome bonus. My favourite thing about the compensation that is available in this industry is that your compensation aligns to your effort. If you go above and beyond you can make a lot of progress quickly and you will not see others progress further than you with less effort. Everyone is accountable for their own success.
I was at a crossroads in my career and decided to research this industry before jumping in head first. I have never looked back. It has been the best decision of my career and also, without a doubt, the most challenging thing I’ve done professionally (at one point I didn’t think I would make it past my probation). If you are starting your career or you find yourself at a crossroads like I did, I could not recommend this industry enough. However, that recommendation comes with a warning, it is intense, it is challenging and it may not be for everyone. If you are thinking about it, do your research, reach out to people to learn more and then make the best decision you can for yourself. If you ask me though, you should work in the tech industry.
Until next time!