Is technology a good career path? This question often comes to mind when we are choosing a new career. Some careers have higher demand, while undoubtedly some have less. In the USA, the viability of a technology career cannot be determined by just one or two factors.
A deep understanding is necessary. It’s important to identify the factors that make technology a good field and the factors that might lead you to choose a different career. However, let’s first clarify that technology does not only mean software engineers. Rather, it is a vast field that includes areas like UX, UI, and other domains such as data security.
What is Technology?
People are confused about the term technology. They think it's just related to things like Smithy, Meta, Google, AI, and all that. No doubt these are all technology companies, but technology doesn't just stop there. A person who has enough knowledge of computers falls under this tech category. Everything related to technology falls into this tech field.
High Demand For Tech Job
The discussion above highlights that anything that falls under the category of technology is included in this field. For example, if a grocery store is operating in an advanced manner, where some tasks are being done based on technology, they would need a person who has tech knowledge. Even a grocery shop needs a website.
Large companies like Google and Meta often let employees go quickly, but deciding that there’s no scope for tech based on this is incorrect. Technology is being utilized in every industry. Banks require a tech expert to improve their apps, and hospitals need tech skills to manage records. Likewise, schools need technology for managing computers and teaching students.
There are many examples of people who learn coding but don’t get calls from high-tech companies. However, many companies still hire such freshmen. It’s because almost every business has a website, and for that, they always need tech experts.
Work with New & Exciting Technology
The tech industry is one that will never go back; it always has new discoveries happening. For example, AI is very much in trend today, and in the last few years, virtual reality has been very popular. In this way, people in technology careers get the chance to learn about new things continuously.
The best part is that you don't just see these cool things happen; you help make them happen. You might be contributing to the making of robots delivering food, or apps teaching children to read, or systems for doctors to do a better job treating patients. Every day has something new and exciting to work on.
What is the Salary of Tech in the USA in 2025?
Let's talk about the main thing, which is the salary package of IT professionals in South Africa in 2025. It depends on the level of experience & the company. According to resources, the average salary for a tech person is $49,047 per year & $23.58 per hour.
And entry-level positions start at $35,100 per year. But an experienced tech person can make a lot of money, like up to $115,207 per year.
It's not just about the salary; some companies also provide extra benefits to their workers, like:
- Health insurance that covers everything
- Free food at work
- Money to buy office furniture for working from home
- Extra days off to rest
- Help paying for learning new skills
Hidden Challenges In Tech Career
A tech career is not a bad career as such, but a tech person may face some challenges. And remember, these are challenges that can be overcome.
Home Setting
For a tech person, working remotely can be a challenging task. While it seems really cool , working from 9 to 5, coding, or performing different tasks can be quite challenging. However, if a routine is established for this, it can turn out to be a great option.
Start Tech Career Later
Some people start their tech careers late or switch from another field. They frequently worry about how long it will take them to gain experience & feel that they have fallen behind. However, that's not the case at all. Even those who switch from other fields have a different background and can relate their experiences to new challenges, which allows them to gain more experience. Its because they possess multiple areas of knowledge.
The Impostor Feeling
In technology, things grow more and more, which is why some people feel that they are not good enough. However, this is a common phenomenon. In fact, it helps in learning something new, and it keeps a person connected with the latest tech updates.
Work With Global Team
The team is usually spread out across different countries, which involves having to handle different time zones and cultures. While this may be challenging at the beginning, it is definitely a great opportunity to learn about other cultures and work styles. Tech people often become excellent communicators across cultures, handling international projects. So valuable are these skills in today's interconnected world.
Deal With Project Changing
The tech team might face common issues. For example, if a team spends hours working on a project, sometimes the entire plan can change, and adjustments are necessary in projects. It can be a bit frustrating. If a freelancer is working on a project & the client's requirements change, they have to adjust to those changes.
However, it also helps develop problem-solving skills, as it allows one to deal with challenges. In any tech career, there will always be some changes required in projects.
Is Technology a Right Career for you?
This is exactly like connecting new puzzles with old puzzles and creating something new along the way. Just like you read above, now is the time for AI; before this, virtual reality was discussed a lot, but after AI, we might see a lot of new things in the future. So, your first question should be to yourself: Are you interested in how apps and websites work and how they are managed? If you are curious about all of this, it’s a positive sign that you are interested, and you should study it.
If you think that being a math expert is necessary for this, that is not true at all. Being good at math for a tech expert is not a sign of professionalism. You can start with basic tools and learn basic web development, etc.
Jobs in technology are usually very flexible. You can freelance, work remotely, or choose on-site work; that depends on your choice. Additionally, technology is present in every field: healthcare (managing records and hospital websites), retail (handling websites), entertainment (managing YouTube channels), and so on, so you can work in any industry you prefer.
Begin by working on small personal projects that pique your interest to understand which field of technology you like best. Develop a basic hobby website or employ daily automation apps to see if technological work appeals to you. Working firsthand with technology lets you uncover your likes for tech work better than career assessment results.
Final Words
The question stands whether technology serves as an appropriate career path. Digital adoption throughout the world increases the likelihood that technology can be considered a beneficial career path. The technological career field extends past coding practice because it includes artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and user experience design skills.
A career in technology provides exclusive benefits including mobile work possibilities together with constant educational prospects and world-class employment mobility. Career growth in technology shows strong potential regardless of the specialization choice between cloud computing data analytics and digital security because these fields perform well in different industries.
Many people question whether technology offers a suitable career choice and they should know the field accepts professionals with experience together with people making career shifts. Technology career entry has become easier through the development of structured learning paths as well as certification programs.