Trends in IT jobs – the most common myths from the past

Author: Zuzana Kocáková

Lifestyle

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Is working in IT only for men? Prejudices about working in IT still resonate today. Let’s debunk 7 myths about the work of an IT developer. Information technology is one of the fastest growing sectors today. Nevertheless, working in the IT sector is subject to many myths and stereotypes that are often not true. Since a career in IT is one of the most sought after, we decided to prepare an article about common IT jobs myths.

It will be useful for everyone – whether you are thinking about Slovakia or abroad, working in IT is the same in many cases. So what are the most common prejudices that arise in relation to working in the IT sphere?

Working in IT is not creative

In many cases, myths about working in IT involve the assumption that a developer’s job consists only of mindlessly writing clearly defined code. However, this is not true. Although computer code follows its own strict rules, designing new solutions definitely requires a good amount of creative thinking.

In addition, we also need to focus on the fact that working in IT does not automatically mean only programming. The job of a Java developer revolves primarily around the ability to create algorithms and find effective uses of them. Of course, no one can do without properly created code, but on the other hand, it would be too easy to condemn the work of a programmer or developer to just mindless writing.

There are other positions in the IT world, such as web designer, that definitely can’t do much without creativity. Similarly for the work of an IT tester who has to think in a broader context and simulate the behaviour of software users. The IT sector is constantly evolving and new jobs are being created where you have to demonstrate your creativity, whether they are design, business or project-based.

IT education is essential for a successful career

Education and experience are two different things, although in the most common myths about working in IT they are merged into one. University is undoubtedly a good step. It will allow you to learn new things, open doors to the world of programming and also allow you to make important contacts. On the other hand, however, it should be pointed out that when working in the IT sector, no one should rest on one’s laurels and experience plays here an important role.

Finding a job in IT without experience is a difficult task. It is in practice when the most interesting innovations and ideas are born, not to mention that trends in IT are subject to change very quickly. When working in IT, enthusiasm and a willingness to continuously learn are important along with working on yourself. However, you can also have these qualities as a self-taught learner who has taken certified online courses and continues to work on their soft skills. Independence, passion and the effort to understand things in depth are sometimes valued more than a diploma. As they say, school provides the ideal conditions, practice the real ones.

Developers work alone and are disconnected from society

The myth that developer is an antisocial individual or lone wolf is one of the most common ones we encounter. Filmmakers and social media feed it with their jokes. To pigeonhole developers as people who hate socializing, work alone, ideally in a small dark room with no windows, belongs to the computer prehistoric age. However, it is normal that among developers and other people working in the IT sector there are those who love company and those who do not seek it out.

Working in IT also involves tasks that require teamwork. Members of the team communicate with each other and try to find solutions to individual problems in a given project. It’s definitely not about everyone just working on their own agenda or project. A developer today is therefore required to have good communication skills, team spirit and good behaviour. And by the way, the teams of developers go out for beers after work like everyone else and have similar problems.

Working in IT is especially for workaholics

Myths about jobs in IT say it is a personal life killer and the average IT person spends up to 16 hours a day at work. This, of course, is not true. On the contrary, few professions allow such flexibility of working hours or location as IT. Programmers, designers and developers are also just people who equally need a rest. Although working in IT is also about enthusiasm to a large extent, each of us likes to take a break.

At msg life Slovakia, the situation is no different. We believe that the right form of relaxation will allow us to look at the projects from a different perspective and come up with innovative solutions. Rest belongs to IT job as much as to any other job. The concentration of workaholics in this profession is similar to any other job.

Women do not belong in IT

It is very difficult to say where the myths about the women’s work in IT come from. They certainly have their origins in the stereotypes in which we were raised, which tell us that men think better and women don’t understand technology. It is also assumed that women have an ingrained need to help, so they see a deeper meaning in other professions. Another problem is perhaps the lack of female role models in this area. The truth is that the gentle sex is as much a part of IT as men, and the number of women is constantly increasing. Nowadays, there are a lot of communities on social networks that bring ladies from the IT world together. According to Lenka Hlinkova, the author of the book The Female Algorithm, the Western economies are struggling with a lack of women in technical positions.

Paradoxically, Romania and Bulgaria, for example, have done well in recruiting women for technical positions and schools as part of the country’s efforts to maintain self-sufficiency. Eurostat data shows that in 2019, women accounted for only 12% of the total number of IT specialists in Slovakia, compared to 33% in Bulgaria and 24% in Romania.

There are 66 female colleagues in msg life Slovakia, which is 32% of the total 209 employees. This number may be less than ideal, so we are always happy to see CVs of smart women interested in working in the IT sphere and in our company. Any profession can only benefit from gender balance.

People in IT either program or play computer games

One of the most well-known myths about working in IT, which, like the previous ones, is not based on truth. People in IT can enjoy sport as much as employees in other sectors. They are active in cycling or running. For many, sport is a form of psychological hygiene that allows them to keep their mind and body in good shape.

Working in IT is primarily a sedentary job. Many articles have already been written about the disadvantages of sedentary work. Its main problem, for example, is that it increases the risk of outbreaks of certain diseases. That is why we at msg life Slovakia try to include sport in our daily schedule.

We have our own fully equipped gym and colleagues can order a MultiSport card. Even a short stretch or a walk will help to perfectly circulate the blood through the body and help to feel better again. We certainly do not agree with the myth that IT people do not do sports.

IT jobs are especially for young people

How do we define a young person? When it comes to myths about working in IT, we encounter the belief that only people under 30 work in IT. However, this is similar to the claim that women don’t work in IT. The field of information technology has its doors open to everyone, and it is certainly not true that there is no diversity. When working in IT job, enthusiasm and the desire to keep up with the fast-paced development of trends are important. Working in information technology has never been age restricted and there are people who have built and lived their entire careers in IT. The variety of positions and rapid progression ensure that you’ll never be bored in IT. At msg life Slovakia, for example, we have 44 colleagues under the age of 30, which is “only” 21% of the total number of employees. 74% of our colleagues are between 30 and 50 years old and the remaining 5% are over 50 years old.

Most people don’t become a good programmer right out of school, there is hard work and experience behind everything. With time comes depth and range of experience.

MythBusters in msg life

We believe we have thoroughly debunked all myths about IT. Each sector has its advantages and disadvantages. And there are some prejudices about every industry. However, it is wrong to think that there are more of them in IT than in others or that they are all true. If you really enjoy information technology, you don’t have to be a maths or science genius.

We’ll be happy to convince you about it. Browse our job offers and find the right job just for you!

Join us!

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Trends in IT jobs – the most common myths from the past

Zuzana Kocáková

At msg life Slovakia I take care of the company culture, events and I am part of the marketing team. I like a job where I can be creative and contribute to making my colleagues at msg feel good. I regularly prepare for you not only news and interesting things from the world of information technology and insurance, but also from behind the scenes events at msg life Slovakia.