Niche Tech Space

If you’re watching this video (or reading this article) right now, it’s probably pretty weird to think that I’m going to be talking about college, but I want to discuss this topic.

There is a college degree that a lot of people are pursuing: Information Technology and related technology degrees. Now, you’re probably wondering whether you should pursue this path if you enjoy technology. Honestly, I would advise against it, and the only reason I say that is because you might not like the outcome of getting this degree.

One thing to understand is that Information Technology is basically the study of how computers work. You’re studying computer hardware, computer software, how computers communicate with each other, and how they send and receive data. It isn’t easy. It’s complicated, and there’s a lot involved in an IT degree.

Many IT degrees are offered online, so you can complete your degree without much direct supervision. In some ways, that can feel a little strange. However, it’s important to understand that there’s a big difference between high school and college.

In high school, it often feels like there’s always someone telling you what to do. In college, you have much more freedom because everything is on you. Professors generally aren’t going to care if you fail an IT final exam. They may not even know who you are personally, so it’s ultimately your responsibility to succeed.

A basic way to understand an IT degree is that about half of it consists of general education requirements. When pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you have to complete courses in subjects such as math, science, and social studies. One important thing to realize is that many IT programs require technical calculus, which can be a significant challenge for some students.

Once you get into the IT coursework, you can start deciding which path interests you most. Do you enjoy hardware more? Are you more interested in software? What niche appeals to you? Hardware can be fascinating, and software can be interesting as well, but you need to seriously consider what career you want.

You need to be very confident that this is what you want to do. You have to truly feel that passion. If you want to become a software engineer or a database administrator, you need to know that’s what you want and be willing to work hard to achieve it.

Another thing to understand is that internships are extremely important. In many cases, they’re necessary for graduation or for finding employment afterward. Without experience, it’s very difficult to move forward in this industry. Even with an internship, you may still struggle to find a job after graduation, which can be frustrating. However, it is possible.

You also might not enjoy this field as much as you think you will. Many people who enter software engineering discover that they don’t actually enjoy it. At first, it seems fun, challenging, and exciting. However, the reality is that software engineering can be frustrating. Things don’t always go your way, and after a while, you may want to walk away from it altogether.

If you have a software engineering job, you may also find that sitting behind a desk all day isn’t something you enjoy. Many people aren’t meant to sit all day long. However, these careers often pay very well, so maybe that trade-off is worth it for you.

Personally, I don’t think an IT degree is worth it today. There are many people who earn IT degrees and never use them because they either lose interest in the subject matter or can’t find a job related to their degree. It’s probably a combination of both.

In my opinion, it’s simply not worth your time, especially considering the cost of college today, which has become absolutely ridiculous. I just wouldn’t do it.

Student loan debt is something I strongly advise people to avoid. It can be a terrible burden. If you’re watching this and dealing with student loan debt, I genuinely sympathize with you and hope you’re able to overcome it. Parent PLUS loans can create additional financial stress as well.

Imagine going to school, earning a degree, struggling to find work in your field, and still being responsible for large amounts of debt. To me, that feels like a debt trap.

College may make more sense if you’re pursuing careers such as medicine, law, or finance. However, technology-related degrees are something I believe people should think very carefully about before committing to them.

Review the costs of college carefully because, many times, the prices are incredibly high. When you attend college fairs, it can sometimes feel like a sales pitch encouraging you to spend money you don’t have. It’s concerning to think about young people taking on large amounts of debt, especially for degrees that may not lead to careers they truly enjoy.

Information Technology isn’t the worst degree in the world, but there’s a good chance you may not enjoy the work as much as you expect.

Another thing to consider is that you shouldn’t settle for something just because it seems easy or comfortable. Technology is a powerful tool that should help improve your life. There are generally two types of people who use technology: those who consume it and those who use it to build the life they want.

Technology should be used as a tool instead of spending endless hours consuming entertainment that adds little value to your life. That doesn’t mean technology is evil. It isn’t all bad. The important thing is learning how to use it wisely and understanding how it can benefit you.

If you don’t learn how technology works, there’s a good chance you’ll fall behind in many areas of life, including education and finances. Technology allows for faster communication and easier access to information. It’s important to understand it, especially if you’re interested in this field.

Technology constantly changes, and you have to continue learning. Otherwise, you’ll fall behind. Your phone is a tool. It shouldn’t only be used for entertainment every second of the day. It should be used efficiently to improve your life.

The next time you pick up your phone to watch YouTube or scroll through TikTok, consider whether you’re using technology in a way that benefits you.

Also, remember that a degree isn’t always the best choice unless you’re truly confident that you want that career. If you know you want to work in technology, be employed in the field, and explore where that career path can take you, then it may be worth pursuing.

Otherwise, in my opinion, it simply isn’t worth it.