How to facilitate a career switch to IT

IT is a popular career choice for both those embarking on their first career and those looking for a career change with experience in a different industry. With plenty of opportunities across a range of sectors, IT jobs often offer above average salaries and excellent career progression opportunities. 

If you’re considering a career change into the IT industry, it is advisable to retrain and gain industry-recognised certifications, such as those from CompTIA. Many professionals find it relatively easy to move into entry-level roles after completing their studies and continue to build up their skills and progress in their careers quickly.  

In this article, we discuss some of the reasons why you should consider a career in IT and look at potential IT career paths for you. We also look at how to start your IT career journey and explore our range of IT training courses. 

Here are our top tips for pursuing a career in IT.

Why move into IT?

Access new opportunities - Due to the UK skills shortage, there are more opportunities available for IT candidates than there are skilled jobseekers to fill them! This means that IT professionals can often pick and choose the best opportunities that are out there, accessing roles that offer the most desirable salaries and terms and conditions.  

Earn a good salary - The average salary of an IT professional in the UK is £48,703 per year. Overtime is also an option, particularly in areas such as IT support in which large clients require round the clock service. Bonuses may also be awarded to professionals who achieve their targets.  

Futureproof your skillset - While some job roles may be threatened by the continuing growth of the digital economy, there is no such threat for those working in IT. With more and more companies moving ‘digital first’ there are a huge number of opportunities for skilled IT professionals behind the scenes.  

Work for top organisations - Top companies such as global multinationals require a constant supply of qualified IT staff to keep their businesses running smoothly. Therefore, there are many opportunities to work for large, corporate clients after switching to a career in IT if this is what you wish to do.  

IT career path

There is no one path that aspiring IT professionals must take. While many people study for a degree in IT, this is not essential as many IT skills can be gained through experience and certifications rather than a degree.  

While it is possible to complete a general IT degree, there is also the option of specialising in a particular area such as web development or Cyber Security.  

There are many entry-level roles available in IT and many IT professionals start their careers in a junior role, before working their way up into more senior roles.  

After several years of IT experience, you may find yourself in a senior position. This could involve managing IT teams, helping to motivate them, and balancing their workload based on the number of IT cases that arise. You may also be responsible for managing large-scale IT projects.  

How to start your IT career journey 

Do your research - Before starting in IT, you must do your research thoroughly so you know what is out there. There are many different areas of IT that you can specialise in, so by doing your research you can make sure that you are choosing the field of IT that will suit you best.  

Network - Before making any decisions, it can be helpful to utilise your existing contacts and perhaps even network with others who have successfully made a switch into IT. Getting a personal perspective can be invaluable if you are looking for an accurate picture of what it’s like to work in IT.  

Consider your options - Once you have done your research, it’s time to consider your options. You may be working full time and wish to continue to fund an IT course. Our range of IT training courses provides a flexible and more affordable alternative to studying at university.  

Gain experience - Another great way to start your career in IT is to gain experience. There is often no substitute for real-world experience, so apply for any work experience programmes or internships that you can. On the job experience will stand out on your CV and is a great way to impress potential employers.  

Find out more about how to move into IT. 

IT courses

We’re proud to offer a wide range of IT courses from leading providers such as CompTIA, Amazon Web Services and Microsoft. Explore our full range of IT training courses to get started. 

If you are new to the IT industry, you may be particularly interested in our IT Support Job Academy Programme, which is made up of a series of IT certifications that will help you gain the skills and knowledge required to become an IT Support professional. 

These IT Certifications include: 

•  CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
•  Microsoft Windows 10 (MD-100)
•  Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900)
•  Microsoft 365 Identity and Services (MS-100)
•  ITIL 4 Foundation
•  Windows Server Training 

Ready to get started? Contact us on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 to speak with one of our IT Course Consultants to discuss your next steps.