Survey Finds IT Pros Proud of Career Despite Tradeoffs

TEKsystems®, a leading provider of IT staffing solutions, IT talent management expertise and IT services, recently announced results of a survey that highlights IT professionals’ views toward current levels of career pride and job stress. The survey highlights that despite the high demands of their job, the vast majority of IT professionals are satisfied with their career choice. The survey also clearly illustrates that senior-level IT professionals have significantly greater demands placed upon them and much less work-life balance. but that despite the high demands of their job, the vast majority of IT professionals are satisfied with their career choice.

Click through for survey results that highlight IT professionals’ views toward current levels of career pride and job stress, as identified by TEKsystems.

Always on vs. punch clock: On average, the top two responses regarding expectations for accessibility were “available 24/7” at 41 percent, followed by “available 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.” at 38 percent. There was very little middle ground between the two extremes with 14 percent of respondents indicating “6 a.m. – 8 p.m.” and 7 percent indicating “6 a.m. to midnight.” Fifty-seven percent of senior-level IT professionals indicated they were expected to be “available 24/7” compared to 37 percent for entry and mid-level IT professionals. 

Two-headed monster: IT professionals rate “keeping up with technology” (31 percent) and “impact on work-life balance” (28 percent) as the most stressful aspects of the IT profession. However, senior-level IT professionals rate work-life balance as the top issue (33 percent) followed by technology (31 percent), while the entry and mid-level respondents rate technology first (31 percent) followed by work-life balance (27 percent). 

No rest for the weary: More than 80 percent of respondents indicate that their organizations make no staffing (i.e., bringing in temporary help) or workload adjustments (i.e., lessening workload, extending deadlines) during IT staff summer vacations. Sixty-seven percent indicate their vacations have been interrupted by work demands.

Golden handcuffs: Sixty-seven percent of senior IT professionals indicate they are expected to be available during vacation. Of this group, 44 percent say they are expected to be available “24/7” – only a 13 percent decline compared to their normal working schedule.

The buck stops there: Meanwhile, 71 percent of the entry and mid-level respondents indicate that they are not expected to be available during vacation.

No regrets: More than 80 percent of respondents indicate that they would still choose to pursue IT as a career and would recommend it as a career to others.

Nothing’s perfect: However, 29 percent say, “I am proud that I chose IT as a career BUT, I am NOT proud of my current role, assignments and responsibilities.” Sixty-six percent of respondents indicate they are proud of their career choice and current assignments.

Don’t talk shop: Twenty-eight percent indicate that amongst family, friends and acquaintances, they hide the fact that they work in IT for fear of being asked to provide technical help.