There’s a ton of economic uncertainty right now. Tech unemployment is low, but all the headlines about layoffs (and the potential for recession) are liable to make anyone nervous. With that in mind, how do tech professionals actually feel about the economy?
According to Dice’s latest analysis of tech-industry sentiment, some 33 percent of tech professionals are optimistic about the economy, notably ahead of the 25 percent who deemed themselves pessimistic, and 42 percent who said they were neutral.
More than half of tech respondents haven't been impacted by layoffs (either personally or at their company). That’s despite 10 percent of respondents having been laid off, 19 percent seeing their team members laid off and 20 percent expecting layoffs at their company at some point. (Of the 10 percent who were laid off, more than three-quarters immediately started searching for another job.) Tech professionals believe their skills are marketable (with good reason), and that, even if they’re impacted by layoffs, other companies will need their services.
Notwithstanding economic fears and expectations of layoffs, the vast majority of tech professional respondents (82 percent) believe the tech profession will grow over the next five years; moreover, only 7 percent of respondents said they have or are considering changing to a non-tech profession or non-tech industry.
Arenas such as A.I., cloud, and cybersecurity are all expected to grow considerably over the next several years—and tech pros are modifying their training to align with that future. If you’re a self-learner, consider exploring sites such as as Coursera, Udemy and w3schools that can boost specific software development, cybersecurity, and programming skills.
Specializing in cutting-edge skills such as machine learning and blockchain can also help you stay ahead of the future (and optimistic about your job prospects). This skills specialization can also translate into higher salaries; according to Dice’s most recent Tech Salary Report, for example, the average tech salary currently stands at $11,348—but that can always climb much higher.
