The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in monstrous shifts in the way that the world operates. This makes sense, of course, as the disease continues to circle its way around the globe, infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. As a result, hundreds of millions of people are working from home, doing whatever they can to continue to earn money in the middle of this global catastrophe.
Tech workers are among those who are able to work from home with the right equipment. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is expected to be a massive boost of people trying to get into this field. Enrollment in coding bootcamp and other crash course training programs is expected to increase as more workers shift in this direction.
People are expected to flock to this field for many reasons. First, as previously noted, they can work from home. Sadly, millions cannot. This involves a wide array of people, including medical staff, first responders, grocery store workers, sanitation employees, and more. For them, work from home is not physically possible. Unfortunately, many of these essential workers have found themselves on the front lines of this fight. Tragically, they are getting infected and dying at exceptionally high rates. In New York, at least 83 transit workers have died from COVID-19. Nationwide, more than 3,400 meatpacking plant employees have been infected, and at least 17 have died.
Those numbers are from late April; they have almost certainly increased since then.
Of course, fear of contracting COVID-19 isn't the only reason that the tech sector is expected to see a major boom in workers. The simple truth is that thanks to COVID-19, many industries are being absolutely decimated and business owners are finding their leadership skills being tested on a daily basis. The areas that are being hit the hardest are ones that require physical interaction and are considered "discretionary" spending by many. They include restaurants, entertainment, and travel. Unfortunately, all of these industries have taken massive financial losses as a result of COVID-19, and their ability to adapt and change from these issues remains to be seen.
Many of these jobs will never reappear. As a result, people will likely move to other industries, like the tech sector.
The tech sector has many benefits. First, it is a relatively secure and growing industry. Technology continues to explode and take over more and more aspects of our life. As a result, there is a constant demand for new workers in this field. Indeed, in many cases, there is a real shortage of qualified tech workers.
Second, these jobs are high paying. Much depends on the specifics of the job, but in the vast majority of cases, the average tech worker will make more than the average salary of other careers. In some cases, tech workers start by making 66% more than workers in other similarly situated fields.
Additionally, tech workers have the potential to show major career growth. Given the expansion of this field, there is a constant need for more workers and a chance to work at different companies. This means that pay and job opportunities will only continue to increase.
These trends were already ongoing long before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there is no doubt about it: COVID-19 will force a massive shift in the workforce. As a result, we can likely expect more people to seek careers in the tech industry.
