Make the Change with IT
Once again, we find ourselves at the beginning of a new academic year where many will decide whether to go to university…
However, for some students, the rising costs and the lack of guaranteed employment after graduation are making them think twice. For example, according to data from the Commons Library, by the time the average student graduates, their living costs and tuition fees result in debts of £45,800.
This year, we have also seen unexpectedly low A-level results, and disadvantaged students whose learning was damaged by the pandemic have seen their dreams of going to university crushed. In addition, a shocking 28,000 A-level students who have the required grades and want to go to university currently find themselves without the offer of a uni placement as competition for places increases.
Why you should learn IT online and not at Uni
Some older siblings are returning from university with increasing concerns and scary stories of being over £40,000 in debt while also struggling to pick up an entry-level role that pays a respectable £25,000. Many feel this is not the experience they were sold and can be overheard telling anyone who will listen to consider a different approach.
As more young people begin to plan their future, we are beginning to see a return to a stronger focus on vocational courses that provide the exact skills employers are looking for.
In an increasingly competitive market, professional certifications empower students to secure the job of their dreams while avoiding thousands in student debt.
The well-documented digital skills gap costing the UK economy £63 billion yearly in potential GDP also provides students with new opportunities. The Government is also investing heavily to make the UK a tech superpower, and a quick look across the job landscape reveals a 0% unemployment rate in many areas of tech. In short, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in tech.
For those interested in a career in technology, the world of IT provides many different career options, and you don’t need a university degree to get started.
However, the tech skills shortage is not just isolated to the UK. It’s a global problem, and this presents a fantastic opportunity to achieve professional certifications from internationally recognised vendors such as CompTIA, Cisco, AWS, and Azure.
In addition, our professionally mapped pathways open up career options in IT support, networking, cyber security, cloud, and data making students instantly employable anywhere in the world.
Unlike university, every student can access live expert mentoring, practice labs, test preparation, and full career placement support from our 360 Career Services team. So, Ultimately, if you are looking to begin a career in IT, Learning People provide a faster, cheaper, and more effective job-ready solution than going to university.
Why IT is a future-proof career
Many university students fall into the trap of thinking that once they have graduated, they have all the tools they need to succeed. But a career in IT involves a life of continuous learning. So although our students might begin their career with an IT Starter Collection of courses, this is just the beginning of a career that could take them in many different directions. After securing an entry-level position, we will work with you to explore areas in which you might want to specialise, such as networking or cyber security.
We have you covered if you are interested in ethical hacking or becoming a pen tester that seeks and reports on vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and software. Specialising in an area of IT will not only help you future-proof your career, but it will also help you build a path to a six-figure salary in the job of your dreams in tech.
How IT caters to all personality types
Traditionally, the university experience is sold to students as much more than securing a degree. Students can widen their range of interests by joining clubs and picking up essential life skills such as budgeting on their journey of independence far away from the family home. At the end of it all, graduates automatically gain access to greater job choices and earning potential throughout their careers. But, unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple.
Every student is different, and there is no such thing as a one size fits all approach to planning your future. For example, some students battling anxiety issues do not want to live many miles from their homes. On the other hand, introverts who prefer to be quiet around others in social situations predictably excel in online learning because their timidity and shyness do not hold them back.
Although many assume that extroverts will struggle with online education because they need social interaction, it’s the exact opposite. Extroverts make the most of chat rooms, online discussions, and conversations with their mentors. Unlike university, online distance learning caters to all personality types, and students simply need to be committed to their academic success.
How IT careers can progress quickly
Securing an entry-level position in an IT role in areas such as cyber security is much easier than you might think due to the shortage of tech talent. Your journey will begin with a rewarding career where no two days are the same, and you can quickly unlock endless options for working in different sectors. But your career will progress very quickly as you achieve new certifications.
For example, in cyber security, there are multiple paths to specialise in, from critical infrastructure, networks, and the cloud to applications or securing the Internet of Things (IoT). These specialisms will allow you to determine which sectors excite you and position yourself as a critical resource that protects the organisation’s data, employees, and end users. This is just one small area of IT where your career will progress very quickly.
September marks the start of the new academic year and an opportunity to apply for low tuition fees and high employability success. You can be ready for the January 2023 recruitment drive if you start now. So, what are you waiting for?
We invite you to Make the Change into IT today.
