Assuming that, in general, an average person enters the workforce at the age of 18, and that the average age of retirement is 65 years, then, on average, we will spend a full 33 years of our life working. This obviously excludes weekends. With this in mind it is surely imperative that we set out on our career journey armed with facts regarding ourselves and our abilities and then combine this analysis with a reality check that enables us to tap into the current economic prospects that await us. In my opinion this exercise can be applied at any stage in our career but fundamentally means that school and university-leavers must seriously consider their career options very carefully if they are to make the most out of their lives. Right now, a career in IT is the flavour of the month.
Many young people view working in the computer field as the ultimate job.
Coupled with the sometimes very extravagant promises made by some of the IT training companies with regard to earning potential, this attractive viewpoint is self-perpetuating and becomes an exceptionally attractive proposition. The notion of high earnings is often a major motivating factor for people entering the IT industry. Unlike any other profession, there is no entry examination or professional degree that precludes anyone from entering into this particular industry. One of the people who we have been working with recently is Stacy, a 27 year old female. Stacy has been an achiever all her life and with a multitude of career options before her, she chose to train as a computer programmer, believing that the salary would bring her the lifestyle she craved.