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Tech is a money-making career. Should I major in IT even if I only have a mild interest in it?

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Ivan’s Answer

That's a fantastic question! In today's world, the scope of IT jobs has grown far beyond the usual programmer roles. Let's say you're a social butterfly, you could thrive as a project manager. If you have a flair for the arts, there are loads of creative roles like web design or UX design waiting for you. Even if you majored in English, there's a place for you as tech writers are needed to craft tech manuals for the everyday reader. So, based on what you love, explore the variety of jobs in the IT sector. You might just stumble upon a role that perfectly aligns with your interests.
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Priscila’s Answer

Choosing a career shouldn't just be about the paycheck. True success comes from loving what you do - passion is the real key. As for a career in IT, it's not all about technical skills. There are many paths within the field, and understanding the business side can be just as important.
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Edgar’s Answer

It's really crucial to remember that picking a career path is a very personal choice, and there's no magic solution that fits everyone. However, it's definitely a good idea to think about whether your slight interest in IT could grow into a real passion.

It's equally important to ponder if a career in IT would bring you satisfaction and be something you can stick with for the long haul.

For instance, would you be happy spending hours each day in front of a computer? Do you have the patience and knack for solving problems that an IT career demands? Taking it a step further... Can you envision yourself working in this field for the next decade or two?
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Asya’s Answer

Hi! I believe that you should keep your options open and don’t put all your apples in one basket. If you feel as though you aren’t interested in IT as much as you thought keep it as an option. Don’t go into a career based off of money so what your passionate about and what you will enjoy doing for the rest of your life
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Gina’s Answer

Reflecting on my journey as an experienced IT architect, I realize that IT wasn't initially my top pick. However, seeing where I stand today, I owe a great deal to this field for the lifestyle I lead and the financial decisions I can comfortably make. Gradually, my fondness for IT blossomed and now, it's something I'm truly passionate about.
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Jeff’s Answer

There's an old adage that states: If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life! The opposite is also true. If you hate what you do, your life will be pretty miserable. Remember that you will spend a majority of your time every week working on your job. I highly recommend you think about what really excited you. Where do your passions and loves lie? The money is good but it's not worth being unhappy.

If you think IT, or any other career path, might be an area that could be a passion, take classes, talk to industry professionals, ask questions on CareerVillage and LinkedIn and try to understand what life in the industry actually entails.

Find what you love and figure out how to make a career out of it! But, in the meantime, be very flexible and adaptable.
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Andrew’s Answer

Deciding to major in IT , even with a mild interest, is a personal decision that depends on a variety of factors. Here are few that I can think of:

-Interest and Passion: If you think you can develop more interest for the subject over time it might be worth pursuing. Consider exploring the various areas in this field and you might find a specific focus more engaging.
-Career Goals - Think about your long term career goals . If you find it a pathway to obtain a fulfilling career and meet your financial goals, it also might be the path for you. The field continues to evolve over time.
- Opportunity to obtain transferable skills: IT can be valuable in many industries and can open the door in other areas. Even if you don't end up working in a traditional IT role, having those problem solving analytics and technical skills can be applied to a variety of fields.
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Christie’s Answer

The IT industry does have very high salaries, that is true. But for that, IT professionals work hard. Very hard. And quite frequently, for long hours. You really need to feel passion for the industry or for your role within it in order to be successful. IT is a part of many roles now, whether you're in HR or Accounts Payable. Maybe if you're not passionate about being a software engineer or a computer specialist, think of pursuing another role where you use technology and progress with that.
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Lauren’s Answer

I'm a strong believer that your major doesn't have to exactly match the "ideal" job you think you want right now. This is your time to pursue your true passions, learn, experience and grow... and maybe even stumble into something else that you realize sparks a lot of joy! Realize that so many majors have transferrable skills and if you really want to give IT a try... go for an internship, don't choose a major you might end up regretting.

And know that if you do decide you want to pursue tech... there are SO many different types of roles - of course there's IT, but there's also customer success, solution engineers, sales, product managers, marketing... the list goes on! So take your time making this decision - research job descriptions at tech companies to get a flavor for what types of roles are out there and enjoy this time you have to decide! An open future and an open mind is a wonderful thing.
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Rafael’s Answer

Indeed, a career in Technology can be very lucrative. Now, the Technology industry is very broad; and I think there is a misconception that you should be very technical knowledge to have a job in Technology. Technology companies indeed have engineers and architects under their payroll. But they also have lawyers, realtors, project managers, fitness coaches, etc. Of course, it all depends on how big the company is. That been said, going for an IT, Computer Science or Electrical Engineering degree, means that employers will have the expectation that you'll be able to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems. Sometimes within a time constraint. Having a mild interest in Technology is OK. But you need to decide if you are willing to do this kind of technical work. Not all work in Technology is strictly technical. You don't need to know the inside outs of hardware or code. For example, there are jobs in technology that focuses on the Frontend of the web site, web app, or mobile app. This kind of work can be creative as your designing the looks and feel of the website or app. If you are more of a creative person, maybe a Graphics Design career is for you. But! Before committing to any decision; do your research. Talk to people that are in IT and ask them what their normal day looks like? Maybe have them show you what they actually do at work. Hope my insight helps.
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Pantea’s Answer

The short answer is no, IT and Tech are not synonymous . You should focused what you enjoy and not just the money. Their are many skills that you can bring to the table that are not directly related to IT. Consider things like Project Management, Relationships Management/Skills, Business and people related fields. Every tech company has several departments including: HR, Marketing, Sales, IT, Engineering, Support, Finance, Legal, Procurement, etc. There are lots of options that are non-technical, follow your passion to a field you enjoy and if it is within tech then try to leverage your network. Reach out to companies and people in the tech space on Linkedin, speak with family and friends who are in the field of interest to learn what is like. Also, don't forget about that school career center! They are a wealth of knowledge and resources.
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Andrew’s Answer

Deciding to major in IT , even with a mild interest, is a personal decision that depends on a variety of factors. Here are a few that I can think of:

-Interest and Passion: If you think you can develop more interest for the subject over time it might be worth pursuing. Consider exploring the various areas in this field and you might find a specific focus more engaging..
- Opportunity to obtain transferable skills- IT can be valuable in many industries and can open the door in other industries. Even if you don't end up working in a traditional IT role, having those problem solving, analytical, and technical skills can be applied to a variety of fields.
Job Market - Look at the demand for IT professionals in your area and where you see yourself working in the future. A strong job market can make a mild interest more compelling.
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Emma’s Answer

Similar to other answers, money shouldn't be the only driver for finding a career. However, perhaps you need to consider a career in IT from a different angle. If you have a mild interest in IT, would you be more interested if you were to look at the outcomes that can be achieved through the deployment and use of technology? There are many roles in the IT industry that are not deeply technical and are instead about working with customers to understand their organisational and business requirements and goals. These roles then work with the technical teams to identify technology that can help customers achieve their goals. Consider roles such as Business Engagement Manager, Customer Success Manager, Client Executive, Account Manager. Good luck!
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