Will IT be crowded out in a few years?

Aspiring

Hi, I'm a current leaving cert student hoping to do a BSc in Computer Science or Software Engineering degree next year.

Recently I've been starting to worry that by the time I've finished my education the jobs market for IT will be well crowded out. Eventually I'd like to start my own business but of course it would be quite beneficial to have experience working in the industry for a good while first.

I'd like to be a software developer. I have little experience programming as of yet, I've only dabbled in C++ and Java. Each week I see children as young as 5/6 taking part in CoderDojo, and it just seems that by the time these kids are older they'll be prodigy-like and what chance would someone like me have! (Fair play to these kids tho, it'll stand to them down the line I'm sure) I'm somewhat worried I'll be left jobless in the future to be honest.

Do you think the IT sector (in particular software development) will become over crowded in the future? Thanks.

I understand there's no crystal ball to see exactly what's going to happen, and that there are probably dozens of similar threads, but I just thought I'd get some feedback on my worries

Thanks!

Eoin

I'm sure there's loads of things that could happen that could lead to another slump in the Irish IT job market - corporation tax changes, or some other factors that could cause issues. It happened at the turn of the century with the dotcom crash, and for a few years it was tough enough for developers.

But if you've a genuine interest in software development and you turn out to be decent at it, then I'd go for it. You'll have an edge over people who work in IT because that's where the jobs are, despite a lack of interest and/or ability. Once you get your LC out of the way, start dabbling a lot more at home. Most of the tools you will need are free.

Do bear in mind though that the shortages at the moment are for the more experienced IT staff - it can be tough for a grad to land their first job.

Aspiring

Eoin wrote: »

I'm sure there's loads of things that could happen that could lead to another slump in the Irish IT job market - corporation tax changes, or some other factors that could cause issues. It happened at the turn of the century with the dotcom crash, and for a few years it was tough enough for developers.

But if you've a genuine interest in software development and you turn out to be decent at it, then I'd go for it. You'll have an edge over people who work in IT because that's where the jobs are, despite a lack of interest and/or ability. Once you get your LC out of the way, start dabbling a lot more at home. Most of the tools you will need are free.

Do bear in mind though that the shortages at the moment are for the more experienced IT staff - it can be tough for a grad to land their first job.

I think they'd be crazy to change corporation tax, but I suppose with pressure from Europe and whatnot it could somehow happen. Hopefully not anyway.

Yeah I plan on doing a good bit over the summer I have a lot of tools already, from what I can remember I have codeblocks, the android sdk and eclipse, and visual studio which I've actually not used so far.

I'd have no problem going abroad to get experience if that was necessary I think. There'd be no point staying here if there wasn't a job to be had.

Onthe3rdDay

Yes it will... at some point, but that can't stop you. Do what you want do. You can't be worrying about the future at this point in your life. Make the most intelligence choice you can now with the information you have to hand. Be prepared to change direction in your life a few times and don't regard that change as a setback.

I spent too long in the past trying to answer questions very similar to yours. It would only drive you mad.

I will say you're very unlikely to have problems finding work if you're willing to work for yourself or you're happy to go aboard.

ubercool

My inclination would be to combine mathematics and computer science. I'm not familiar with the level of supply and demand for software developer, but the big revolution taking place in business, medicine, and other areas is the data and analytics. The big growth are will be demand for data scientists.

My advice would be to think beyond Ireland. MIT is probably the best place to study these subjects.

Aspiring

ubercool wrote: »

My inclination would be to combine mathematics and computer science. I'm not familiar with the level of supply and demand for software developer, but the big revolution taking place in business, medicine, and other areas is the data and analytics. The big growth are will be demand for data scientists.

My advice would be to think beyond Ireland. MIT is probably the best place to study these subjects.

Would it be possible to do a BSc here then do a masters or something over there.

Ray Palmer

The IT industry and development in particular relies on taking in graduates and then spitting them out. Many graduates don't stay in the industry due to the pressure at the start. IT hoovers up people from other disciplines to fill the gaps.

The industry will have to change at some point so as not to be so reliant on graduates. It is quite an immature industry and strategy.

There will be a demand in a few years time and tax breaks are unlikely to disappear.

The degree or masters will only get you started there will be years of getting up to speed and maturing for work. I see graduates all the time and they believe they reached their goal when they start and then they slowly realise they are just starting out.