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Which IT Job Environment Is Right for You?

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Now that you have examined why you would want to work in IT, it's time to look at some of the factors that will influence your decisions about what kind of environment you would like to work in. We are not referring to specific job areas yet-that's covered in the next chapter. What we will be discussing here are things like your work hours, environment, and surroundings.You would be surprised about how much these factors can influence your overall happiness.

Where Do You Want to Work?

When you imagined yourself working in the IT industry, did you imagine yourself working in a skyscraper and wearing a three-piece suit to work every day? Is your picture of your job less formal, such as working in a small office wearing jeans and a T-shirt to work? Or is it even less formal, like no office and wearing a bathrobe and boxer shorts while you work?



The IT industry may be one of the few industries that allow its workers to choose any one of these environments. On the one extreme, IT professionals can find themselves working in environments that demand a high level of formality. Conversely, with the increase in the amount of contract work and the advances in telecommuting, many IT professionals can work from the comfort of their homes. The workload, pressures, and demands of the job remain constant; only the scenery changes.

Basically, there is no standard work environment for the IT professional, which is a true strength of the industry. Each area of IT has its own unique occupational setting, giving those interested in a career in IT a chance to customize and choose a job that has a work environment best suited for them. Some programmers may enjoy, and are more productive, in an office setting; some may be better working in their home.

The possible working environments can be broken down into some common categories, namely office based, field based, project based, and home based.Though you may find a job that does not fit into one of these categories, most do. Listed here are the categories, along with some of the characteristics of each:
  • Office-based: Having an office-based position generally means that you are working at the same location and with the same people on a permanent basis. That's good if the journey to work is an easy one and you enjoy spending time with these people. It's not so good if the journey is a nightmare and the office environment leaves a lot to be desired. A large proportion of IT jobs are office based, and although you may not like everyone, the fact that you are likely to have a common interest (technology) with your workmates will usually make it easier to get along. Most offices require employees to work regular business hours, but office-based jobs in IT aren't always a 9-to-5 affair. In many areas, especially support roles, you'll find shift systems that require staff to work very early in the morning, late at night, or even overnight in certain cases, so this is something to consider if you are person who has trouble getting up early or staying up late.
  • Field-based: Though not all IT fields are conducive to field-based positions, many, such as support engineers, are. The basic premise of field-based work is that you travel from one location to the other, attending to jobs at each location. This means that field-based personnel usually work alone and do not have a fixed "home" base. The idea of hours on the road with no manager to look over you may seem attractive at first, but as with anything, it has a downside. Field-based positions do not suit everyone. It can tend to be a lonely existence, traveling (sometimes for a number of hours) between sites where you don't know anyone, with nothing but the radio and your thoughts for company. If you like traveling, though, and driving in particular, then it could be for you.
  • Project-based: Some positions are regarded as project based, meaning that you work for a company who moves you from one client site to another. These positions differ from field-based positions in that you generally spend a longer period of time, such as weeks or even months, in a single location. For people who prefer being around others and in a familiar environment, project based positions can be ideal, offering a chance to work in a range of different situations and environments while at the same time maintaining consistency in employment.The only problem with finding project-based positions is that they are often not advertised as such, and you find out the details only when you get to the interview. If you are dealing with a recruitment agent, you can specify that you would ideally like a project-based position. Another solution is to target companies that commonly operate in this manner, such as facilities management or outsourcing companies.
  • Home-based: To many, the idea of working from home seems like the ultimate in luxury. Drag yourself out of bed at 8:55 and be in the office by 9:00! It sounds ideal. Remember that there's a price to pay for every good thing that comes along; it's just a matter of knowing what's most important to you and what you're willing to sacrifice for it. If, for example, a flexible schedule is important to you, you may not mind the discipline that is required in order to get your job done.
Probably the most misunderstood of these categories is the home-based environment. There are a few factors that play integral roles in the success of a work-from-home situation:
  • Creating a suitable environment
  • Self discipline and dedication
  • Time management

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