More than two-thirds of tech and IT professionals are completely confident in their career choices, but just half say their companies are adequately staffed, according to new research from IT management software company SolarWinds.
The company’s IT Pro Day survey—coinciding with the annual holiday honoring IT professionals—comes in the midst of the great resignation, a cross-sector trend in which professionals leave their jobs or change their careers. In addition, a potential economic downturn could hurt the entire labor market. However, SolarWinds found that organizations are adapting to these changes, as 59% of respondents say their company has added more flexibility in hours and work location, and a third have increased pay.
A total of 67% of IT professionals say they’re “completely confident” about their career choice despite a possible economic downturn, but a third admit that they are “at least a little worried” about their job security.
Nearly a quarter of IT pros have started new jobs within the last year, and 51% say they have at least considered doing so. However, just 34% of those who changed positions say they love their new job, and 15% ranked their job as worse than their previous one.
Salary and work-life balance were ranked the most important aspects of a job to IT professionals, but 31% of IT professionals say they don’t feel fairly compensated in their current role. Just 4% think they’re overpaid.
Feelings of being understaffed and overworked are rampant on IT social media pages, and the survey reflects that, as half say they feel like they’re doing two jobs. Those who feel their company is understaffed will likely have to endure even more turmoil, as 46% of those who feel overworked say their company has either slowed or frozen hiring amid a potential economic slowdown.
Thomas LaRock, head geek at SolarWinds, says the survey makes it clear that the IT and tech sectors are not immune to macroeconomic trends and staffing changes.
“This is particularly challenging for IT teams because they’re not only feeling understaffed but also are expected to do more with less as network environments become increasingly complicated,” LaRock says. “Remote work and hybrid and multi-cloud environments have made it extremely difficult to keep networks—and businesses—running smoothly but these IT pros show up every day to get the job done.”
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