A career change from IT is a significant move for every professional, regardless of their current level of skill and experience. Since the field of information technology is filled with many lucrative opportunities, this change is typically driven by a desire for a better work-life balance.
In this article, we explore some of the key signs that may be telling you it’s time to make a switch. Also, we’ll show you which hard and soft skills transfer well in your journey forward, and provide alternative careers and ways to continue improving your skills.
Key Takeaways
Three main signs it’s time to change your career from IT include being burned out, stagnating in your work, and feeling misaligned with your personal values.
Some of the core hard skills that transfer well into other professions include data analysis, project management, software proficiency, and cybersecurity.
Soft skills developed in IT that you can use in other professions include communication, collaboration, problem-solving, attention to detail, and adaptability.
Before making a switch, consider which new skills you need to learn and which ones you need to improve, and prepare a transition fund to cover at least 3–6 months of your basic living expenses.
3 Key Signs It’s Time to Leave IT Behind
Before we dive into the specifics of switching careers from IT, let’s examine some of the biggest reasons you should consider doing so.
#1. Stress and Burnout
One of the main reasons professionals leave the field is IT burnout. Prolonged workplace stress and burnout lead to a consistent feeling of mental and physical exhaustion. This is typically caused by long hours, complex projects with barely manageable workloads, tight deadlines, and constant pressure to be available at all times.
If you encounter these conditions regularly, you are likely to feel overwhelmed and emotionally drained. This often results in cynicism—or even resentment—toward your job. The World Health Organization even recognizes burnout as an official medical diagnosis. As a result, a career switch after an IT job burnout can be an opportunity for a fresh start.
#2. Stagnation and Lack of Interest
Another clear indicator that it may be time to change careers from IT is a persistent lack of interest in projects and topics you once found engaging. If you are no longer excited by the latest updates, newest technologies, or complex problems, you likely don’t have the passion you used to.
This can be coupled with a sense of stagnation, where you don’t feel like you’re progressing in your career or learning new things. These internal feelings can also reflect on your productivity, where your output may decline. Many professionals decide to change careers in these instances, as they feel underutilized or need new challenges.
#3. Misalignment With Personal Values
If your work in IT no longer aligns with your personal values, that can lead to both burnout and a lack of interest. Some individuals look for professions that have a more direct impact on the lives of others. On the other hand, there are IT experts who seek a different type of collaborative environment with a focus on creativity.
This is a common reason for a midlife career change from IT, as it typically occurs in professionals who started experiencing a decrease in job satisfaction after years of work.
9 Transferable Skills You Bring From IT to New Careers
Professionals who are transitioning out of the information technology sector usually possess a number of hard and soft skills that are highly sought after in other fields. Their IT background gives them strong technical prowess coupled with essential interpersonal abilities.
Hard Skills That Transfer Well
While hard skills are typically job-specific, some are partly or entirely usable in other fields.
These skills include:
Transferable Hard Skills
Data analysis. If you know how to make sense of large sets of data to extract valuable insights, you can leverage that in fields like marketing, finance, and healthcare.
Project management. Handling multiple tasks, navigating timelines, and securing and allocating resources is an important skill in most sectors.
Software knowledge. Your proficiency in numerous software offers an advantage in fields that leverage various technologies, even if they aren’t IT.
Cybersecurity. The core understanding of the principles of cybersecurity applies to any business that operates online and works with sensitive information.
Soft Skills Developed in IT
Soft skills are also referred to as transferable skills, due to their versatility and applicability across all professions.
Soft skills you’ve most likely developed during your career in IT include:
Transferable Soft Skills
Attention to detail
Adaptability
If you’re wondering how these skills actually translate into real career opportunities, the following table highlights the most transferable IT skills and the industries where they’re most valuable:
IT Skill | Where It Applies | Potential Role |
Data analysis | Finance, marketing, healthcare | Data analyst |
Project management | Operations, construction, creative industries | Project manager |
Cybersecurity knowledge | Legal, compliance, risk | Risk manager |
Software proficiency | Education, design, administration | Technical trainer |
Problem-solving | Any industry | Business analyst |
Quantifying Your Achievements
To demonstrate your skills in a career change resume, the key is to quantify your achievements.
When listing your accomplishments as bullet points, make sure to specify the outcomes with numbers and statistics, and to include relevant skills that helped you get the results.
Here is a good example of collaboration and cybersecurity skills in a single achievement:
Collaboration & Cybersecurity Skills Example
Collaborated with a cross-functional team of 13 to upgrade VPN security and encryption methods, reducing the projected chances of data breach by 79%.
When adding these accomplishments to your resume, focus on those that emphasize the skills required for the role you’re applying for. Moreover, avoid overly technical language and jargon that might confuse readers outside the field of IT.
Top Alternative Careers for Former IT Professionals
Now that you know when it might be time to leave your profession and which skills you can leverage during your transfer, let’s check out some of the most common IT career alternatives.
Career Paths With the Easiest Transition
If you’re looking for an easy transition, you should consider some of the fields adjacent to the IT industry, such as:
Project management. Your experience navigating tasks, deadlines, and resources, while coordinating with other team members, seamlessly translates into the role of a project manager.
Data analysis. As an IT professional, you are adept at handling digital information, which makes transitioning into the role of a data analyst straightforward.
IT consulting. You can leverage your existing knowledge to apply for the role of a consultant. This allows you to help businesses overcome obstacles without doing direct IT work.
Technical writing. Your understanding of complex IT concepts and intricate information makes you a strong candidate for the role of a technical writer.
Complete Career Pivots
IT professionals looking for a fresh start can still find success by leveraging their skills and experience in some of the following fields:
Healthcare. A career change from IT to healthcare is common for professionals who look for more meaningful work. There are multiple roles that require technical and IT skills, such as a clinical data analyst or a health information technician.
Finance. If you’re a numbers-oriented professional, you should consider a career change from IT to finance. Your data-driven and problem-solving mindset will help you thrive in fintech companies that are seeing significant expansion in recent years.
Teaching. A career change from IT to teaching is for professionals who want a more fulfilling vocation. If you enjoy sharing your knowledge or mentoring others, becoming a teacher is one of the best choices.
Entrepreneurial Paths for Former IT Professionals
If you’re looking for independence and work outside traditional employment, you should consider some of the following entrepreneurial paths:
Small business. If you have strong leadership, management, and organizational skills, you can start a small business, such as providing IT support or consulting services to clients.
Software or app development. Developing software or an app is a great way to become independent. Keep in mind that this option typically requires strong marketing skills, as you need to get your product in front of the right customers.
E-commerce. Your understanding of the digital landscape and markets gives you a solid foundation for building and running an online store.
Upskilling and Further Education for IT Career Changers
When you decide to transition out of the information technology sector, you typically need to upskill or reskill. Let’s see how you can approach these moves.
Do You Need Additional Degrees or Certifications?
Whether you need additional degrees or certifications for your resume depends on the ones you currently have and the requirements of the field you’re entering. For some roles, your existing skills and experience can do the heavy lifting, allowing you to apply even without certifications.
In some cases, one or two targeted certifications can help you hit the ground running. For instance, a PMP certification, while not always mandatory, can significantly improve your chances of landing the role of a project manager. Similarly, an MBA can be incredibly advantageous for former IT professionals who want to enter the sphere of finance.
In other cases, additional certifications may be mandatory. For example, you will likely have to obtain the necessary credentials to enter the healthcare field.
Self-Directed Learning Approaches
Beyond traditional education, you can learn and grow on your own. There are multiple advantages to this, including the ability to learn at your own pace and hours and to progress rapidly. Plus, there are countless online resources you can leverage. Many of those are rather affordable and even free (e.g., YouTube videos, podcasts, free webinars, etc.).
The main downside of a self-directed learning approach is that the certifications you obtain won’t be as credible as those from traditional and established institutions. Regardless, you can obtain valuable skills that you can then demonstrate during interviews or by building portfolios, bypassing the need for degrees in fields in which they aren’t mandatory.
Additionally, you can proactively network with professionals in your industry to obtain first-hand knowledge, insights, and guidance while improving your chances of finding a role.
How to Financially Plan for a Career Change From IT
Financial planning is essential for a smooth career change from IT. By being on top of your finances and having a strong budget plan, you’ll avoid getting into uncomfortable situations or running out of funds before landing your new job.
Salary Expectations During and After Transition
When transitioning to another field, it’s important to have realistic salary expectations. It’s not uncommon for professionals who are switching from IT to settle for a lower initial salary, considering they don’t have as much experience in the new field.
However, you shouldn’t focus on the temporary pay cut, but look at the long-term potential for earnings and growth. This will give you a clearer picture of how your career is likely to progress in the following years.
To make your plans and expectations more precise, you should research the industry and look up average salaries for your target roles and in your location. In some cases, a new role may offer a lower salary but with a strong benefits package, which can result in a much better deal.
Creating a Transition Fund
It’s highly recommended to have a transition fund to act as a financial cushion during the transition period. The funds you have saved should be able to cover as much time as possible; ideally, at least 3–6 months of your essential living expenses.
This will give you much-needed peace of mind while you’re looking for a new job. That’s why you should start saving money in advance, typically several months before you make the final decision to leave IT for another career.
Resume Builder and Templates for Career Changers
Once you’ve made your decision to change your career from IT, you’ll need a strong resume and a well-written cover letter to impress recruiters and land the job.
At Resume.co, we developed a robust, intuitive, and AI-powered resume builder and cover letter creator, which can help you craft these documents in minutes. Simply pick a template, input your information in predesignated areas, and download a professional, accurate, and ATS-compatible document.
Final Thoughts
A decision to make a career change from IT into another industry is not an easy one. Individuals who want to switch often look for better work-life balance and more meaning in their profession, and are willing to make sacrifices in the form of initial uncertainty and pay cuts.
However, if you plan the move properly, assess the skills you have, and prepare a transition fund, you can make the change smooth and seamless. Resume.co can help you navigate these challenging times by giving you an easy solution for when you need to create a resume and cover letter to land an interview in your new field.
