Information Technology

A New World

The computer revolution that began in the late 20th century led by the mid-1990s to the creation of the internet (the web). And it gave rise to an even greater revolution. The impact of the internet is comparable to that of industrialization. But the best part is that this process is still at a very early stage.

The number of websites exceeds 900 million. There are 5.5 billion internet users. Online auctions, websites, online stores, online services. The IT economy grows by 20 %–30 % annually. These are staggering rates. Yet they still aren’t slowing down.

Over the past 10 years in Silicon Valley (the center of the IT world), every 2 months a company was founded that would later be worth a billion dollars. And that’s not to mention internet stars such as Facebook ($1.8 trillion), Amazon ($2.4 trillion), and Google ($2.2 trillion). None of these companies would have emerged if the internet hadn’t existed.

All this leads to strong demand for IT specialists. The global IT economy needs software developers, designers, testers, architects, managers, system administrators, and other specialists.

It’s Good to Be an IT Professional

If you’re an IT professional, this is a golden age for you. You can work for a great foreign company and live in a small town or even in another country. Your income will, of course, be lower than theirs (usually by about half), but higher than on the local job market (by 3–10 times). The smaller your city, the more noticeable the difference.

You’ll gain valuable work experience, earn good money, and enjoy brilliant prospects. You’ll occasionally travel on business to your employer’s office. And if you really like it there, you can move there.

A rising tide lifts all boats. But why not be the boat that’s in the right place at the right time? That’s a skill, too.

Immigration Prospects

In developed countries, IT specialists rank among the top three highest-paid professions alongside doctors and lawyers. Average programmer salaries are about $90,000 per year. But the most interesting thing is that IT professions are an excellent fit for the global labor market.

What happens if a doctor wants to change countries? Another country means different medical standards. With a diploma from their country, they most likely won’t be allowed to work in the new one. They will have to learn the language, retake exams, complete an internship — a long road.

For lawyers, it’s even worse. One country has one set of laws, another — different ones. Here connections matter more; there it’s case law. Good lawyers from one place will be of little use in another.

IT specialists very often work directly or through intermediaries for large Western companies. The same technologies, the same business processes. All documentation on the internet is in English. The résumé is in English. You can move to any country in the world and nothing will change. Even the clients/employers are often the same.

And IT salaries in California are oh so good. That’s why you need to keep developing all the time.