Page 48 - EngineerIT October 2022

TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Busting 5 myths about a career in IT

any people still have girls and female students aware of new career paths they previously mightn’t have
misconceptions about what considered.
Mit means to be an IT Pro. We
asked Geshan Naicker, IT Manager at Itec, MYTH 3 – You need to be a maths genius to work in tech
to bust five of the most common myths Having a background in mathematics or science can be beneficial if you’re a developer.
about a career in IT. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a genius. In fact, if you’re good at languages like
English and your mother tongue, then you’re already in with a shot of being good at
MYTH 1 - You need a degree development. After all, a programming language is just that – another language you need
While there is nothing wrong with getting to learn.
a university degree in computer science What’s more important is to have a problem-solving mindset. Thinking outside the
or something similar, you don’t actually box will help you in every field of technology, not just development and programming.
need one to get into IT. Fact is, employers
are looking for people with skills, and MYTH 4 – Technology is a young person’s industry
there are numerous pathways into the Contrary to popular belief, the tech sector is not packed with teenagers and
world of IT – of which a degree is just 20-somethings working out of a garage. Sure, the younger generation has been born
one. into a world of technology - but that doesn’t mean the field is only open to younger
generations. If anything, older people bring with them different insights and approaches.
MYTH 2 – Tech is for men only Think of tech as the perfect middle ground between old school and new funk.
Yes, the IT industry in South Africa and
the rest of the world is still battling a MYTH 5 – A career in tech is boring
gender diversity challenge. But that’s Okay, what rock have you been under? Tech can potentially be one of the most creative
not to say that it’s a career only men career paths out there. Think about it. Technology is constantly evolving. What was
can do. Far from it. Governments relevant two years ago might not even be used today. Continually upskilling and reskilling
around the world are making STEM yourself is part of the fun.
(science, technology, engineering, and There’s also the creative thinking required. From content generation to web design
mathematics) training more accessible to work and coming up with new ideas and applications for technology makes the job
all genders, and are encouraging schools something that will continually challenge you.
to make girls aware of its potential.
We’re seeing more influential female So, consider these myths busted and start thinking about pursuing a career in technology
IT leaders are coming to the fore, making today.

Mining companies demand alternative

products to keep machines on amid supply

chain challenges

fter briefly returning to economy, which recorded a decrease in output by 8% year-on-year. As such, it is crucial to
pre-pandemic levels, South cement a solution to help the industry capitalise on favourable developments in global
AAfrica’s gross domestic product commodity markets such as stronger demand for and higher prices of coal in light of the
(GDP) contracted by 0.7% in Q2, with energy crisis.
eight of the country’s ten manufacturing This is according to Clive Maasch, General Manager at Tank Industries, a leading
divisions reporting negative growth manufacturer of connectivity solutions in the power, telecommunications and electronics
rates due to the worsening economic markets, who says, “Although the fallout from the COVID-19 crisis still remains a primary
environment that has been affected cause of supply chain challenges, this has been exacerbated by factors such as the conflict
by continued disruptions to global in Ukraine, fresh lockdowns in China, and skyrocketing freight costs, amongst others - all
supply chains . This includes mining, of which are affecting the availability of crucial components used in day-to-day mining
historically the backbone of the activities such as electrical power supplies.”

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