8 answers
Robyn
Student
Brentwood, England, United Kingdom
1
Question
Asked
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Is a career in IT stressful?
I currently have trouble figuring out what kind of career I would want to pursue but I'm interested in IT. I currently want to understand the challenges of this type of career and see if I should move forward
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8 answers
Adit Sheth
Senior Software Engineer
130
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Adit’s Answer
Choosing a career in IT is like embarking on an exciting journey. It's vibrant, fulfilling, and offers the chance to tackle real-world issues using the latest technologies. Plus, you'll have the reassurance of solid job security. Sure, some roles might have you racing against the clock or juggling tight deadlines, but with smart planning and a commitment to ongoing learning, you can handle these hurdles with ease.
IT careers are not just about work; they also provide flexibility, room for growth, and the joy of making a real difference. If you're someone who's naturally curious and has a love for technology, the IT field can be a satisfying path filled with challenges that are not only manageable but also enriching.
IT careers are not just about work; they also provide flexibility, room for growth, and the joy of making a real difference. If you're someone who's naturally curious and has a love for technology, the IT field can be a satisfying path filled with challenges that are not only manageable but also enriching.
Steve Sterner
IT Management
34
Answers
Easton, Pennsylvania
Updated
Steve’s Answer
It is a good question, and I have been in IT for well almost 4 decades and at times my various roles have been exciting, stressful, exhilarating often at the same time. My first degree and job was in accounting and specialized management and although I dealt with no outages, security issues I was much more stressed because I did not like what I did, I was not excited, it was a chore to go into work. Since going to IT I am sometimes stressed and/or overworked but I am rarely bored, always learning new things and excited to come in each day.
I have a couple of strategies for dealing with the stress in IT although they may scale to other places (not all may work or be applicable for you, so results may vary)
1. Try to live within your means, IT can be cyclical and depending on where you are, mobility, willingness to commute, etc. job security and pay can go up and down, the people I have seen the most stressed are the ones who when things are good buy the biggest house, most expensive car, etc. It does not sound IT related but when people start to see downturns not being able to cover the bills or worrying about losing your house if something puts you out of work a while can be very stressful.
2. Surround yourself with good people. Smart people who can teach you (and you can teach), Good people who care about you and your interests and people who will be honest with you (even if it is not always what you want to hear). There will always be people that you have to deal with, talk with, live with but there are many you get to choose who you will interact with and those people, their lessons, their positivity, there care can be a tremendous source of therapy and a catalyst to reducing stress
3. Finally, never stop learning and growing. Many of us in technology are smart people. Being surrounded by smart people can be intimidating and stressful. You can take the approach as many do: I need to compete with them, I need to outdo them, I need to differentiate myself from them.....you could also choose to take the approach I can learn from them; I can achieve more working with them, we can make each other better. Many people especially in IT based on our logical and competitive nature take the 1st approach (I know I did when I was younger) but I promise the 2nd approach is more fulfilling, less stressful and at least in my case makes me as much happier and fulfilled person.
In the end some stress is good, it keeps us from becoming complacent, helps us identify danger, etc. but too much can be crippling and only you can control it and learn how to combat it.
The fact that you ask the question shows that you enter into the work world with your eyes open already looking to identify the pitfalls so I believe you will be fine and I hope that anything here that resonates with you helps you now and into the future.
I have a couple of strategies for dealing with the stress in IT although they may scale to other places (not all may work or be applicable for you, so results may vary)
1. Try to live within your means, IT can be cyclical and depending on where you are, mobility, willingness to commute, etc. job security and pay can go up and down, the people I have seen the most stressed are the ones who when things are good buy the biggest house, most expensive car, etc. It does not sound IT related but when people start to see downturns not being able to cover the bills or worrying about losing your house if something puts you out of work a while can be very stressful.
2. Surround yourself with good people. Smart people who can teach you (and you can teach), Good people who care about you and your interests and people who will be honest with you (even if it is not always what you want to hear). There will always be people that you have to deal with, talk with, live with but there are many you get to choose who you will interact with and those people, their lessons, their positivity, there care can be a tremendous source of therapy and a catalyst to reducing stress
3. Finally, never stop learning and growing. Many of us in technology are smart people. Being surrounded by smart people can be intimidating and stressful. You can take the approach as many do: I need to compete with them, I need to outdo them, I need to differentiate myself from them.....you could also choose to take the approach I can learn from them; I can achieve more working with them, we can make each other better. Many people especially in IT based on our logical and competitive nature take the 1st approach (I know I did when I was younger) but I promise the 2nd approach is more fulfilling, less stressful and at least in my case makes me as much happier and fulfilled person.
In the end some stress is good, it keeps us from becoming complacent, helps us identify danger, etc. but too much can be crippling and only you can control it and learn how to combat it.
The fact that you ask the question shows that you enter into the work world with your eyes open already looking to identify the pitfalls so I believe you will be fine and I hope that anything here that resonates with you helps you now and into the future.
Angel S
UI/UX Design Aspirant
258
Answers
India
Updated
Angel’s Answer
A career in IT can be both rewarding and stressful, depending on the role and environment. The stress often comes from tight deadlines, complex problem-solving, and the fast-paced nature of technological change. For example, roles like system administrators or cybersecurity professionals may face pressure during outages or security breaches. However, IT also offers job stability, growth potential, and the satisfaction of solving technical challenges. If you're interested in technology and enjoy problem-solving, it can be a fulfilling career, though it's important to consider work-life balance and personal interests.
Catrina Duff
Create strategies to drive business
6
Answers
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Updated
Catrina’s Answer
Hello there,
It's a given that stress is a part of nearly every career, and IT is no exception. However, compared to other professions (think brain surgery), the stress levels in IT are relatively low. If I could go back to your age, I'd prioritize finding a job that truly piques my interest. After all, when you're passionate about your work, it feels less like a job and more like a paid hobby!
I'm an IT professional myself, and there are two aspects of this field that I absolutely adore. Firstly, the people - they're intelligent, team-oriented, and thrive on problem-solving. Secondly, the nature of the work itself. It's ever-evolving, ensuring that there's never a dull moment. You're always at the forefront of innovation, and that's thrilling.
I have a passion for learning, and IT provides endless opportunities for acquiring new skills and experiences. My advice would be to earn your qualifications and join a reputable company with plenty of growth opportunities. From there, the sky's the limit! As you expand your knowledge and skills, you'll find that any stress you face becomes less daunting.
Wishing you all the best for your future!
It's a given that stress is a part of nearly every career, and IT is no exception. However, compared to other professions (think brain surgery), the stress levels in IT are relatively low. If I could go back to your age, I'd prioritize finding a job that truly piques my interest. After all, when you're passionate about your work, it feels less like a job and more like a paid hobby!
I'm an IT professional myself, and there are two aspects of this field that I absolutely adore. Firstly, the people - they're intelligent, team-oriented, and thrive on problem-solving. Secondly, the nature of the work itself. It's ever-evolving, ensuring that there's never a dull moment. You're always at the forefront of innovation, and that's thrilling.
I have a passion for learning, and IT provides endless opportunities for acquiring new skills and experiences. My advice would be to earn your qualifications and join a reputable company with plenty of growth opportunities. From there, the sky's the limit! As you expand your knowledge and skills, you'll find that any stress you face becomes less daunting.
Wishing you all the best for your future!
Michael Cassadine
Project Management
6
Answers
Concord, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Robyn,
Embracing a career in IT can be an exhilarating journey if you're someone who relishes problem-solving. It's a field that appreciates and rewards your innovative thinking rather than causing undue stress.
Indeed, embarking on a new career path, acquiring new skills, and securing your first IT job can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. However, remember that your stress level is largely influenced by your reaction to these challenges. If you tend to get easily agitated, you might find the situation more stressful. But as mentioned before, if you view each problem as an exciting puzzle waiting to be solved, your stress will be significantly reduced.
As a student, I encourage you to explore a variety of IT subjects to discover what truly resonates with you. Seek out what brings you joy and ignites your passion.
Best of luck on your journey!
Embracing a career in IT can be an exhilarating journey if you're someone who relishes problem-solving. It's a field that appreciates and rewards your innovative thinking rather than causing undue stress.
Indeed, embarking on a new career path, acquiring new skills, and securing your first IT job can be quite a nerve-wracking experience. However, remember that your stress level is largely influenced by your reaction to these challenges. If you tend to get easily agitated, you might find the situation more stressful. But as mentioned before, if you view each problem as an exciting puzzle waiting to be solved, your stress will be significantly reduced.
As a student, I encourage you to explore a variety of IT subjects to discover what truly resonates with you. Seek out what brings you joy and ignites your passion.
Best of luck on your journey!
Roberto Fernandez
Servant Leader Apprentice
46
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Roberto’s Answer
Hi Robyn!
The wonderful responses above have clearly outlined that Information Technology is a broad field with numerous specialties. Each specialty offers unique experiences based on the specific area and the work environment. The exciting part is that an IT major opens doors to this wide array of specialties. You can explore and switch between them until you discover what truly resonates with you. You might even find yourself drawn towards leadership roles. Here are some of the specialties you might come across (stick with me till the end):
1- Networking and Telecommunications: Already well described above.
2- Information Security: This involves various technologies that ensure information is accessible only to the intended recipients. It includes working with firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, authentication, encryption, and other practices and solutions to strengthen the system.
3- Database Architecture and Database Administration: These are two closely related specialties that deal with the most effective methods of storing information, and surprisingly, they involve less math than you might expect.
4- Systems Administration: This generally involves managing the systems (like computers, operating systems, and storage) where the actual applications and services are housed.
5- Application Administration and Site Reliability Engineering: This involves deploying and maintaining the actual applications that interact with other applications and users. Applications are the programs that do the work, combining interfaces and instructions to make computers work for us.
6- Software Engineering: This involves designing and creating the code that forms the applications. It's an exciting field. Though I'm a Network and Telecommunications Engineer, I'd love to be a software engineer in my next life!
7- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: These are the most advanced and exciting applications in the IT world, and they're shaping the future of the real world. These applications can learn and improve their performance of tasks over time.
There are many more specialties, including combinations of these and numerous variations within each one. If you enjoy problem-solving, intellectual challenges, and the flexibility of not being tied to a physical location, IT could be a perfect fit for you. It's almost as cool as being a famous writer! But if, like me, writing novels isn't your forte, IT is definitely a path worth considering.
The wonderful responses above have clearly outlined that Information Technology is a broad field with numerous specialties. Each specialty offers unique experiences based on the specific area and the work environment. The exciting part is that an IT major opens doors to this wide array of specialties. You can explore and switch between them until you discover what truly resonates with you. You might even find yourself drawn towards leadership roles. Here are some of the specialties you might come across (stick with me till the end):
1- Networking and Telecommunications: Already well described above.
2- Information Security: This involves various technologies that ensure information is accessible only to the intended recipients. It includes working with firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, authentication, encryption, and other practices and solutions to strengthen the system.
3- Database Architecture and Database Administration: These are two closely related specialties that deal with the most effective methods of storing information, and surprisingly, they involve less math than you might expect.
4- Systems Administration: This generally involves managing the systems (like computers, operating systems, and storage) where the actual applications and services are housed.
5- Application Administration and Site Reliability Engineering: This involves deploying and maintaining the actual applications that interact with other applications and users. Applications are the programs that do the work, combining interfaces and instructions to make computers work for us.
6- Software Engineering: This involves designing and creating the code that forms the applications. It's an exciting field. Though I'm a Network and Telecommunications Engineer, I'd love to be a software engineer in my next life!
7- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence: These are the most advanced and exciting applications in the IT world, and they're shaping the future of the real world. These applications can learn and improve their performance of tasks over time.
There are many more specialties, including combinations of these and numerous variations within each one. If you enjoy problem-solving, intellectual challenges, and the flexibility of not being tied to a physical location, IT could be a perfect fit for you. It's almost as cool as being a famous writer! But if, like me, writing novels isn't your forte, IT is definitely a path worth considering.
Erin Taylor
Technology Consultant
2
Answers
Manchester, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Erin’s Answer
Hi Robyn,
I joined global tech firm based in the UK as a Technology Consultant following University and have been working here for over 2 years now. It's a good question - like any career, IT can have its challenges, but I have also found it to be highly rewarding.
One of the best parts about a career in IT is the variety. One day I might be configuring the system, another day I might be troubleshooting tech issues, or hosting workshops with the cient. With Consulting in particular, there are many different roles you could pursue, and no day is the same.
IT is great if you love learning. Technology is always evolving and there are plenty of opportunities to pursue different forms of education. My company provides me with training and certifications, so I'm always building new skills and staying relevant in a fast-paced industry.
Another aspect I enjoy about my role is the people I meet. I work with colleagues from different countries and backgrounds, which broadens my perspective and again supports continuous learning.
At times, it can be stressful, particularly around project deadlines or system launches. However, this is manageable, and the support from my peers as well as the feeling of accomplishment is incredibly satisfying!
Good luck!
I joined global tech firm based in the UK as a Technology Consultant following University and have been working here for over 2 years now. It's a good question - like any career, IT can have its challenges, but I have also found it to be highly rewarding.
One of the best parts about a career in IT is the variety. One day I might be configuring the system, another day I might be troubleshooting tech issues, or hosting workshops with the cient. With Consulting in particular, there are many different roles you could pursue, and no day is the same.
IT is great if you love learning. Technology is always evolving and there are plenty of opportunities to pursue different forms of education. My company provides me with training and certifications, so I'm always building new skills and staying relevant in a fast-paced industry.
Another aspect I enjoy about my role is the people I meet. I work with colleagues from different countries and backgrounds, which broadens my perspective and again supports continuous learning.
At times, it can be stressful, particularly around project deadlines or system launches. However, this is manageable, and the support from my peers as well as the feeling of accomplishment is incredibly satisfying!
Good luck!
Stuti Chandra
Design Manager
7
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Stuti’s Answer
Firstly there is a wonderful tool called Ikigai which one of my mentors once nudged me to use in order to find the areas that I am interested in.
I have worked in the IT domain and made multiple transitions in terms of the roles I have taken up and the size or organisations. And so IT is a domain that you can contribute to through multiple career choices and decide what range of work pressure would you like to operate in. I personally have worked as a Design Manager, Service Designer, Consultant, Experience Designer. Project Manager. Hence I can suggest that you could look for the key domains in IT (major players and major business verticals within them), look at what a day in the life entails and through elimination of options arrive at a few that may interest you!
Link to the tool: https://www.figma.com/templates/ikigai-diagram/
I have worked in the IT domain and made multiple transitions in terms of the roles I have taken up and the size or organisations. And so IT is a domain that you can contribute to through multiple career choices and decide what range of work pressure would you like to operate in. I personally have worked as a Design Manager, Service Designer, Consultant, Experience Designer. Project Manager. Hence I can suggest that you could look for the key domains in IT (major players and major business verticals within them), look at what a day in the life entails and through elimination of options arrive at a few that may interest you!
Stuti recommends the following next steps: