As leading businesses across industries continue to push for the widespread use of digital technology, The Information Technology Sector has become one of the industries with the highest demand for professionals on the job market today. The information technology sector has undergone significant changes as a result of the introduction of new technologies, shifting client needs, and adjustments to the global economy.
In a number of areas, including the information technology industry, artificial intelligence and machine learning are being employed more regularly. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are used by businesses to automate processes, boost efficiency, and enhance consumer experiences (Varshney, 2020). Additionally, the 29% growth in job listings in this industry predicted for 2020 demonstrates how swiftly the need for specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning is growing. LinkedIn, 2020.More companies are migrating their operations to the cloud as the information technology industry adopts cloud computing at a faster rate in order to scale operations, reduce expenses, and enhance security (Flexera, 2020). The epidemic has accelerated this trend as remote workforces require increasingly dependable cloud infrastructure to run their businesses.
Cloud computing services are expected to be the primary driver of demand for information technology services. The decision by businesses to store their data on the cloud is driving up demand for IT services. Significant advancements in the information technology sector have been made possible by new technology, changing customer needs, and adjustments to the global economy. Businesses in the information technology industry need to continually adjusting to these trends and developments in order to remain competitive and relevant.
Most occupations in the Information Technology industry are categorized as white-collar. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, “White-collar employees handle managerial, professional, or administrative tasks. They often earn salaries and work in an office environment” (BLS, 2021). Software developers, network and computer systems administrators, and computer and information systems managers are examples of these jobs in the Information Technology sector.
The designation of Information Technology positions as white-collar jobs, made after 2018, is supported by research. According to a study done by the job-search website Glassdoor, white-collar positions, including enterprise architect, software development manager, and software engineering manager, had the highest salaries in the technology sector (Glassdoor, 2019). A further finding of the survey was that the median base pay for white-collar occupations in the technology sector was $97,859, while the median base pay for blue-collar professions was $45,377.
According to a 2020 McKinsey & Company report, the Information Technology industry had one of the highest percentages of white-collar positions of any industry, with 88% of Information Technology jobs falling into this category (McKinsey & Company, 2020). The study also discovered that white-collar Information Technology positions had a higher share of remote work potential than blue-collar jobs, making them more adaptable to the shifting workplace caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
In addition, a 2018 report by the National Skills Coalition discovered that the Information Technology sector has the highest concentration of professional and technical jobs (National Skills Coalition, 2018) reinforcing that white-collar employment in Information Technology Sector constitutes the majority. These professions are primarily compensated office positions that demand employee organizational duties. Also supporting this categorization are the high median earnings, the high proportion of white-collar employment, and the possibility of remote work.