4 Solid Reasons to Switch to Tech

If you're considering a career change, you’re not alone. According to an analysis by Pew Research, approximately 53% of employed US adults who resigned from their jobs in 2021 switched their occupation or field of work. Changing industries can be scary, but there are often good reasons to do so. Using our graduates’ stories, let's break down the most common motivations for people to enter tech.

1. Higher earning potential

Money is not the only reason why people change careers, but it’s an important one. If your salary is consistently inadequate or if you have reached the salary ceiling in your current job, changing industries may be your only chance to turn things around.

Tech careers are frequently sought after due to their attractive salary packages and significant growth opportunities. On average, IT professionals can expect to earn around $97,430 annually. However, it's important to note that the final salary can vary based on the specific role, industry, and level of experience.

According to a PayScale study, an entry-level software engineer earns an average of $62,000. But after a couple of years, that amount can rise substantially. Mid-level specialists are always in short supply, so the transition from junior to mid-level can occur quite quickly ― often a mere one to two years, with some effort.

A career change can lead to a higher salary while still allowing you to pursue what you enjoy. The experience of our graduate Tristan Boyd_{Back on Beat: How Former Music Teacher and TripleTen Grad Tristan Boyd Orchestrated His Way into Software Engineering} underlines this. Previously working as a music teacher, he found himself reassessing his career prospects after the birth of his two children. This led him to pursue studies at TripleTen.

I like music. I didn’t want to drop it entirely, but I was kind of tired of teaching. You can only progress so much in that field pay-wise before you hit a dead end. Besides, my wife and I recently had twins, so I thought I should probably make a little bit more money doing something that I’ll enjoy. Tristan Boyd, TripleTen grad

Tristan now works as part of the engineering team at Remind, an EdTech company specializing in creating information systems for schools. He has managed to transition back into a field he loves, but in a new capacity.

2. Work-life balance

The flexibility offered by tech companies allows individuals to achieve a better work-life balance, granting them greater control over their time and personal commitments. Remote work options eliminate the need for commuting and provide the freedom to work from anywhere, saving precious time and reducing stress. Moreover, the ability for workers to set their own hours enables them to flexibly see to their work and personal obligations, resulting in increased productivity and overall job satisfaction.

Work-life balance challenges have often led students to pursue opportunities at TripleTen, as illustrated by the experience of our graduate, Isabelle Cuisset_{Refashioning a Career with Tech: Isabelle Cuisset’s TripleTen Story}. Previously employed by luxury brands in the fast-paced fashion industry, Isabelle found herself constantly traveling between European capitals, leading a hectic and demanding lifestyle. However, she soon grew weary of this relentless pace and made the decision to seek stability and allocate time for personal well-being.

I decided, ‘Okay, let's stop this crazy life. I need to choose where I want to live and find a way to stay there.’ I also needed to own something, a kind of craft that I could develop where I could continue to learn day after day. And where I could enjoy working in a quiet space. I think at some point I was really craving that. Isabelle Cuisset, TripleTen grad

After graduating, Isabelle embarked on a new chapter by establishing her own web design and development studio called isaWabi. Through effective time management, she skillfully balances her responsibilities, allowing her to continue working in the fashion industry as a director while she still runs her studio.

3. Demand in the labor market

In the wake of 2020, there has been a significant surge in online activities, with people increasingly relying on websites and apps to order food, clothing, and other products. As a result, having a strong online presence has become crucial for businesses, making it essential to have a skilled IT team dedicated to developing and maintaining these digital products. The demand for IT specialists is rapidly growing, and even newcomers to the field are finding ample opportunities.

To summarize, if you've been waiting for a sign on whether you should move to IT — you’ve found it. Statistics say that unless there are any "black swans" in the next decade, the labor market in this field will grow. It will require a substantial new labor force, which means that there will be no problem finding employment after graduation.

Nathanael Anderson_{TripleTen Grad Nathanael Anderson Shakes Up His Software Engineering Career,} another successful graduate, has firsthand experience of the market situation. Employed as a bartender since his school days, he had a realization when cafes and bars closed down during the pandemic: his job might not be in high demand.

I loved the job; it was worth it for me. However, things changed when bars closed due to the pandemic. I needed to find a way to pivot and get back into the workforce, as well as have something to do during the day. I decided that if my girlfriend was going to be learning how to code in R, I would sit down with her and learn as much as I could, just to have something to do. Nathanael Anderson, TripleTen grad

Motivated to explore new opportunities, Nathanael pursued a career in IT and, a few months after graduating, secured a position as a front-end web developer at Neurogazer. This innovative company utilizes MRI data to conduct predictive analyses of brain development and growth throughout an individual's lifespan. The real work of the future!

4. Impact on technology and society

Many people are attracted to the tech industry out of a desire to make a meaningful impact and contribute to innovative projects that benefit society. You don't even have to work for giants like Apple, Intel, or Microsoft to do so. For instance, Tinder was established in 2012 in the business incubator of the American InterActiveCorp. Initially, it was not anticipated to become a success, but ultimately, the app completely transformed the dating world as we know it.

The sense of being part of a service that positively impacts thousands, or even millions of people, adds meaning to one's life and serves as a powerful motivator to forge ahead.

This very reason was the driving force for our graduate Rebecca Burch_{TripleTen Grad Rebecca Burch Talks Moving from Medicine to Software Engineering}. Prior to studying at TripleTen, she worked in healthcare. Of course, working in this field is one of the best ways to serve the world. However, we know good things take time. In the case of medicine, it could take years, decades even, for innovative methods to become common practice.

I worked in a hospital. I realized that everything they do in the medical field is like two or three years behind the newest stuff. I wanted to find something that I could create or invent right away, and that people could use right away. I still wanted to help people. Rebecca Burch, TripleTen grad

After her time at TripleTen, Rebecca found a job as a software engineer. Today, she also helps people, but in the more technological field of EdTech. She got hired at Wayfinder, a hybrid nonprofit company that helps school children build lifelong success. 

Take a step towards your dream job

At TripleTen, our beginner-friendly bootcamps provide a guaranteed path to a career in the tech industry. With our comprehensive career preparation and portfolio-building projects, our graduates boast an impressive employment rate of 87%.

Discover the possibilities by trying a free introductory course in any of our fields of focus. You'll quickly realize that transitioning to a tech career may be easier than you ever imagined!