An Equally Driven Second Choice

We know well that, for some years now, many people have found themselves directly or indirectly dealing with this situation, trying to understand as quickly as possible what could be the best way to find a solution. The pervasive problem is always at the top of the trending topics list: "And now what do I do?" The question is not the real problem, but rather the context of the person asking it, namely the human being who wants to or needs to quickly find a new job, perhaps one that is easy to reach and learn, well-paid, maybe in the market that has been expanding the most in the last ten years, perhaps in the industry with the highest hiring rate ever. The IT sector.

These are all habits, realities well assimilated and ingrained in everyday life, where everyone is free to switch from a traditional job to a digital one, and that's fine. But what does it really mean to do a digital job? Those who embark on this path must start somewhere, first by choosing the type of job, understanding which role is the right one. Initially, acquiring the necessary skills through a school or a course where you can gain the essential knowledge to be minimally appealing in the market. Later, with the CV in hand, all that remains is to knock on the doors of technology companies, hoping that someone will answer. Introductory interview, technical interview, skill test, and you're in, welcome to the world of information technology.

After this ironic introduction, we need to explain why all this is wrong.

Not a fallback job

Many people, eager to pursue a career in IT, may not fully realize the magnitude of their choice. It is imperative to understand that this decision requires more than a mere aspiration: it implies total dedication and the willingness to invest time and energy to acquire the necessary skills.

It is important to note that there are computer science degree programs that attract students who are aware of their future in the industry. No, it is not necessary to have a degree to work as a Software Engineer, Data Scientist, or similar roles, but one must recognize that the existence of specific university degrees in computer science has a reason for being. Whether through a university course of study or through self-learning, a solid theoretical and practical foundation must be established, which cannot be completely acquired in a few months through online courses or private institutes.

To enter the IT field, it is essential to be prepared, and this requires passionate study. Passion for this world not only fuels motivation but also the ability to adapt to the rapid changes in the industry.

Before being influenced by trends, it would be better to ask oneself some questions:

• Do I really have an interest in technology?

• Do I intend to continuously deepen the subject, recognizing the importance of each concept and its frequent intrinsic connection to other concepts?

• Do I know where to find the necessary resources to acquire the required knowledge?

• Am I ready to start over?

Learn and Teach

The more sheep there are, the more wolves are lurking. Novice digital workers are the sheep, while some of the online courses and private institutes mentioned earlier act like wolves. In this case, one must understand the intentions and needs of both entities involved.

What should happen

Those who learn must dedicate themselves to studying and gaining a thorough understanding of the actual dynamics of the role they aspire to. It is essential to assimilate both technical and transversal skills, such as problem-solving adaptation, communication skills, and proactivity. From the beginning, it is crucial to apply what has been learned through personal projects or, even better, group projects.

Those who teach must act as guides, presenting students with a careful study plan and accompanying them throughout the completion of the course. Teachers must provide students with the necessary material to enable them to independently develop the skills acquired during the course. They also have the challenging task of instilling in students a certain fascination for the subject, trying to generate enthusiasm in the classroom and creating an atmosphere similar to that of a small IT company.

What really happens

Those who learn try to understand the course content but often struggle to follow the program. This may be because, during the course, the student has to balance studies with their current job, managing to dedicate only 1 or 2 hours to study and practice. In the event that the student has achieved some success before completing the course, they may already start looking for a job in the IT sector, thinking they are ready to face the challenge. This perspective is not wrong, provided the student is truly prepared with solid knowledge. Often, however, the only driving force is the urgent desire to change professions and obtain better compensation.

Those who teach show a preference for sales rather than real education. Some paid courses aim to attract students with the intention of teaching them what the market requires at that specific historical moment, completely ignoring the theory and the foundations of the subject. They promise an educational journey by presenting the most advanced technologies as the only knowledge needed to excel. In free schools, different problems emerge. In the worst cases, teachers may have deficiencies in technical skills, while in other situations, incompetence manifests itself in the wrong teaching methodology. This naturally contributes to creating an ambiguous context for students, generating a sense of frustration and abandonment.

Making a recap without generalizing, those who are about to start studying must be careful with how and where they do it. Absolutely no, not all trainers have hidden or even fraudulent intentions. However, it is equally true that unprepared or inadequately oriented digital training institutes should refrain from promising what they are unable to deliver.

Understanding when and if to give up

The first two steps have been taken: it has been understood that acting impulsively and venturing into an uninformed choice of pursuing a career in the IT sector is counterproductive. The importance of having the right teachers during the learning period as a decisive element for being ready to seek employment has been recognized.

Fast forward to the first day of work...

"And now what do I do?" The same question with which all this began could echo.

The first day of work in the IT sector, in the end, is similar to any other first day in any other job. What varies, depending on the role, the size of the company, and many other factors, are the following days. Spending time as a Software Engineer, for example, one will be faced situations that could disrupt the initial idea of the profession, but all of this is part of the game. In most cases, discovering realities different from academic knowledge should not be a reason for dismay or resentment; the further you go, the more it will translate into experience. What should be a cause for concern is not feeling comfortable with constantly staying informed, knowing all the latest news in the field you are working in. If the task, in the eyes of the person performing it, is reduced to the monotonous activity of clocking in and out, intervention is necessary.

There are several reasons for a loss of motivation; if this is caused by a lack of passion or, worse, if a real passion for the activity has never been nurtured, it is the right moment to consider a change of profession.

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