Better Understand Career Myths in the IT Industry

1. Leadership @ Wipro – November 2011
Understanding Career Myths in the IT Industry
The IT industry has become one of the largest employment generators in India. The
already huge industry is growing rapidly, and offers employment opportunities to
everyone ranging from a fresh graduate to middle management to executive level job
seekers. The industry employs people in non-core functions such as human resource,
recruitment, marketing, admin and support functions.
However, there are several misconceptions and myths about the IT industry, resulting job
dissatisfaction and a bad name to the IT industry. Here are some career-related myths
that bother the industry, and the truth that underlies them:
 Myth: A degree from a premier institute is an assurance for life-long success.
Truth: Any graduate or post-graduate degree from a well-known, premier institute
definitely gets you a good start and can help carve a positive impression. However, a
lack of effective performance and an inability to leave an impression in the first few
years will hamper prospects in the long-term .
 Myth: A higher designation indicates success.
Truth: Designations are relative, and there are no standards for designations across
organizations. It is only responsibility, accountability, and results delivered that truly
matter.
 Myth: You need to move to a new assignment every 18-24 months to be perceived as a
'fast-tracker’.
Truth: Opportunities to move within the organization or outside can result in
skimming the surface in many areas versus developing expertise in a few. You need to
invest adequate time in a role to really contribute and learn.
 Myth: Networking is not important. You just need to do your job well and the rest will
follow.
Truth: If you want to be successful, you have to be ‘in sync’ and visible. You have to
market yourself within and find opportunities to connect with the broader
organization. This helps you grow as a professional and will also help deliver better
results.
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2. Leadership @ Wipro – November 2011
 Myth: A recognized organization or a bigger brand implies a better career.
Truth: The image of a better organization is also largely linked to the organization’s
effort at external brand-building, and may not necessarily reflect that it’s a good place
to work. The brand’s success does not guarantee your career success.
 Myth: Big organizations offer better salaries.
Truth: Salaries are defined by the organization’s financial ability as well as its ability
to attract people. If an organization is able to attract people, why should it pay the top
salary?
 Myth: Job hoppers prosper.
Truth: If someone wants to be professional, spending lesser time in an organization
may only be scratching the surface. You need to evaluate if such a short experience
actually brings any value to your career.
 Myth: Everyone in IT is a developer and talks only Java
Truth: The IT industry is not just for developers or people with engineering/technical
qualifications. The industry offers jobs ranging from marketing, human resource,
recruitment, administration, finance, project management, sales and so on.
 Myth: More professional qualifications guarantee success.
Truth: It is smart to add qualifications to your portfolio, provided they spur your
career objective. However, adding degrees/diplomas for the sake of sounding
impressive will only give your employer an impression that you’re not clear about your
professional goal. Besides, additional qualifications never guarantee a promotion or a
better job.
 Myth: No core IT work, and high-end designing happens in India
Truth: The IT industry in India is far more advanced than perhaps any other location
in the world. The talent pool and the highly advanced skill-sets available in the
country have been the main drivers for all the outsourcing that happens between
India and other countries. Some of the biggest players in verticals ranging from
entertainment to gaming, and retail to telecom and even aeronautics, rely on India for
their high end IT needs.
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3. Leadership @ Wipro – November 2011
 Myth: People skills don’t matter in an IT job
Truth: Whether it’s the IT or any other industry, people skills are as important as any
of your qualifications. Your people skills help you better manage your team, and deal
with senior management in the organization. As you gain more experience and want
to move up in the company, remember that your people skills are evaluated as much
as your technical work.
 Myth: A job in an IT company guarantees a trip overseas
Truth: While the IT industry offers more opportunities to work outside India (short-
or long-term) when compared with other industries, there are no promises. Only
people who are experts in their domain and display exceptional performance in
delivering results and client interaction are assigned to overseas projects.
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