Do undergraduates want a career in IT? (UK Study)

I love studies. Especially such from foreign countries. They always offer ways to see “over the edge”.

A new study from CRAC (Career Development Organistation) about “the attitudes of current UK undergraduates in relation to careers and work in the IT sector”. They have researched in which fields undergraduates in the United Kingdom want to work after graduation. A total of 1144 responses were received and evaluated.

I will highlight some key-findings CRAC did. The full study is linked above and I think it is a good read. And reflects some views Swiss students and employees have.

• Over 80% of computing students are pleased with their degree choice.
• Females are more dedicated to their choice. Are females the better “IT-Guys”?
• Up to 90% of computing students do want to work in IT.
• Current job prospects are good and salaries potentially high.
• Biggest fear from non-IT-students: IT work will be boring.
• most attractive environments are: web companies, IT services and specialist software houses
• strongest influence on the career choice was work experience
  • I think Switzerland is great in that matter with its apprenticeship way

Important skills and competences for a successful career in IT

This can of course shift depending on your position you have inside a company. Maybe the IT Department is part of the Sales and Marketing (nightmare).

Advertised demand from employers for selected roles within the IT sector

As expected, everybody prefers the Internet. Tech support is not attractive enough for students. Again, I am not really surprised.

Reasons of non-IT-students against a career in IT

You don’t work with interesting people: I have no understanding for this.
Worried about others’ perceptions of being an IT professional: Not everyone is a geek or nerd.
Work in IT will be boring: So is work in sales, health, law, teaching, administration … Of course it can be boring, but most of the time it definitely is fun, entertaining and very interesting.

As a short summary: IT is becoming more and more important. But there are not enough students to fill positions. Same goes with Switzerland, where each year there are 4000 to few graduates.

Get the study from CRAC.

What do you think? Is IT work boring? Would you work in IT? And if not, why not? Or do you disagree completely with me? Let me know and share your thoughts.