Here’s Why I Believe You Don’t Need a Good College For A Rewarding Career In IT

According to my observation, IT has to be one of the most dynamic industries in the world. With only a growing need for support, innovation, efficiency, and expansion, the IT industry has become home to many flourishing careers, attracting top talent from top institutes like IIT and IIM.?

But which side do the new-age digital-first startups and enterprises put heavier weight on? Do they choose a highly reputed academic background candidate or a highly experienced and tech-savvy professional without a reputed label? Let’s understand what moves the IT industry first.

Rapidly Changing Tech Currents

The IT industry is one of the most rapidly evolving ones, making it challenging for educational institutions to catch up. And before they even begin offering relevant courses, a new tech trend takes its place.

Let’s take a recent example of the AI boom. The sudden Eureka moment of Generative AI attracted many businesses, giving birth to a new career landscape without any academic institution available to teach it. Most professionals grew their AI prowess through self-teaching and practical implementation of the newfound skills.

The Result?

The boom of GenAI has reduced the dependency on core coding expertise, as more no-code AI development tools emerge every day. The key hiring requirement for anyone to join the AI development league involves proficiency in AI and ML algorithms, NLP, and reinforcement learning. While a degree in Computer Science, Statistics, or Data Science is enough to work as base criteria, a demonstrated ability to deliver successful AI projects has become a must.

That’s why, at Appinventiv , both IITians and non-IITians have to go through a real-time assignment to prove their claimed expertise. Today, most digital-first businesses show a marked preference for experience and expertise over academic credentials. An objective backing to this bold statement can be seen in the recent RTI filed by an IIT alumnus, Dheeraj Singh. This year, 38% of IIT graduates across all 23 campuses remained unemployed after campus recruitments.

Does It Mean Academic Backgrounds Stop Mattering?

No! Most senior management roles still require a reputed academic background for all the right reasons. The skills these professionals bring to the table empower efficiency, team flow, seamless operations, and an inclusive teamwork culture, which is crucial for IT industry businesses to thrive. For the niche experts in evolving technologies, academic backgrounds often take a backseat support role.

IT Is An Inclusive Ecosystem For The Talented

The dynamic nature of the IT industry does not reduce the importance of qualifications but rather segregates jobs into expertise and management roles. While tech experts empower career growth potential through proven demonstrations, management experts establish reputation through academic background strengths. That’s why a diverse range of professionals populates the IT landscape, each adding value of their own. The opportunities are immense, and new businesses are emerging every year within the IT ecosystem, making it the perfect platform for a great career.