Don’t be fooled by myths handed down from days of yore... a career in IT is all about the present and future - here we set the record straight!

There are so many misguided, out of date and just plain wrong snippets of information floating around about IT. These can cloud your thought processes and judgment when it comes to knowing just what can be relied upon. This applies to students, parents and teachers! Nobody is safe from misinformation and so here we try to quash the myth and flaunt the fact.

Myth
The IT industry is running out of steam and there are more exciting and dynamic industries to work in.

Reality
The IT industry is expanding fast and has growth rates up to 8 times the national average. IT is everywhere and encompasses all industries from music to fashion to sport as well as the more conventional IT companies.

Myth
I’ll never get a job as there are more people looking for jobs in IT than there are openings available.

Reality
The UK needs more than 150,000 people every year just to fill new positions and so there is plenty of opportunities available for those with the right skills.

Myth
IT is mind numbingly boring and geeky and quite frankly the only people who would consider a career in this are the people who are always standing on their own at parties in the corner of the room, wearing homemade woolly jumpers with computers on the front.

Reality
New technologies such as wireless and Web 2.0 are constantly emerging demanding new skills. Think of everything you use the internet for, social networking, downloading music. Think of iPods and Xbox, Playstation and iPhones. People in IT are responsible for designing all of these...

Myth
I love playing on my computer but my parents tell me to spend more time on homework as computer games will never lead to a career.

Reality
Nonsense! How about a career as a computer games designer or developer and define the next generation of computer games? You don’t have to follow a specific path but there are relevant courses that you can study and which equip you with the necessary skills. So the next time your parents turn off your computer or confiscate your games tell them about Computer Games Technology or Computer Animation degrees you can study at university.

Myth
I don’t want to work in IT because when I think of advances in technology I think of aeroplanes and factories polluting the air and sea. Technological progress always results in damage to the environment and computers are one of the worst offenders.

Reality
Technology can actually help deal with environmental issues and reduce CO2 emissions. As well as investing money in developing solutions, companies are manufacturing ‘green’ computers. Fujitsu-Siemens’ company-wide guideline is “Environmentally conscious product design and development”, and operates environmentally-conscious material selection such as lead-free soldered mainboards.

Myth
I want to do something that can make a real change in underdeveloped societies so there is no point in studying IT or Technology as these have no relevance to helping the third world.

Reality
The above view could not be more misguided. Underdeveloped and third world countries are benefitting directly from advances in technology.

In Uganda a mobile text service is helping farmers get more money for their produce. In the past farmers have accepted much less for their crops because they haven't known the true market price. With this text service from Foodnet, which lets them know how much food is being sold for in local markets, they can keep up to date and so are in a much stronger negotiating position.

There are many other examples. Technology has provided the means to treat water and improve sanitation and also to maximise the resources available such as solar power.


Myth
I love fashion and designing and drawing outfits but I’m being told it is not a proper career and doesn’t require any specific skills and I should study something ‘academic’ instead.

Reality
The fashion industry is diverse, technologically driven and advancing all the time. Software has empowered designers to use 3D tools to design ‘virtual’ clothes on virtual models and catwalks. IBM announced on 10 September 2008 that “it has signed a multi-million IBM Global Business Services agreement with the Fashion Research Institute (FRI) to implement a first-of-a-kind Virtual World Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Enterprise System.”

Myth
I love Formula One and would love to work in the motor racing industry one day but my parents keep telling me the only people who make money are the drivers like Lewis Hamilton. For everyone else it is just a hobby.

Reality
Without the technological brains behind the design of the cars and all the components there would be no Formula One. It is a highly technical and technologically driven industry requiring specialised skill. You can study Foundation Degrees in Performance and Automotive Technology or Motorsport Engineering or a Degree in Motorsport Technology and design the next Ferrari to win a Grand Prix!

Myth
I love listening to music and would love to work in the industry but my grandma is always telling me to turn my music down and do my homework as the only ‘proper’ jobs are in Law and Medicine.

Reality
There are loads of courses you can study such as a degree in Music Technology or Sound Technology and Digital Music or a BTEC National Diploma in Music Technology. With these qualifications you could go onto a illustrious career in music production, sound design, video game development, radio, film and television, advertising, web content development, media production, teaching, electro-acoustic composition, studio management. Or you could go on to teach the subject yourself.

The above are just a handful of examples of misperception and myth - don't fall foul of misconceived ideas. Follow your dream.