My joy knew no bound when I got through the campus placement of an IT Company in my pre-final semester. The word IT Service Company was not clear to me then, the only thing I was happy about was, the JOB, which I secured almost a year before my final semester exams. I was not much aware of computer programming or any core computer subject as I was a student of Electronics (mainly into hard-wares). Like me there were several Civil, Metallurgy or Mechanical Engineering students who had no idea how IT Companies are going to utilize our studies in college in their work. After all who cares?? a Job is a job!!!

After many years experience in this IT industry, now I understand why they took us even after knowing the fact that, we have zero programming knowledge. What all matters most is the aptitude and willingness of a person to learn and adopt new things. The companies train the freshers with necessary technology, people with higher IQ , aptitude can grasp the things quickly and can grow very fast. Off course the students from Computer science back ground have an extra edge as they utilize what they learn during their Engineering curriculum, a reason why some companies prefer computer science graduates.

What a company looks for in Freshers is the aptitude and communication skills and these constitute the most important criteria to grow in a Software Company.

Coming to pay structure, IT Companies pay you a good salary, the reason is the BPO process. US, UK or other matured economy countries outsource their business process to lower cost places like India. A good example will be, a fresher in US in a software company gets an average salary of 3000USD per month equivalent to Rs 1,50,000 in India!!!! So with that one persons salary in US they can hire 6 people in India , considering Rs. 25000 per month for a fresher, which is still a handsome amount in India.

The most common thing a Software Engineer will complain about is the work pressure, and odd working hours. Yes, this is a fact, they are paying you good amount, and they will try to recover 500% of it! After all, they are private companies, they are here not for social service, and they are here for their profit, kind of a complete capitalist work culture.

One can enjoy 100% working in a Software company if you know how to manage time efficiently. Time management is very important and can save you from many odds that people face in a software company.

The best thing in IT field is the opportunity of growth, if you are capable and you showcase it, nobody can really stop you for long time, from being awarded with a promotion or pay hike. And with some dedication, hard work, talent and luck you can really do a tremendous growth in terms of Pay package and designation in a short span of time.

There are some demerits as well, the most common one being Job security, as compared to Govt, which is actually a wrong conception, during the latest financial mayhem, there were many job cuts from Private sectors (not only software) all over the world, but the point is, if someone is really good at what he does, its just matter of time, for him to get a new job or survive the old one. So according to me job security should not bother much to people with good knowledge, skills and confidence.

But no doubt Govt. jobs are now given more preferences for reason like, lesser work pressure and time with family.

Every job has its own pros and cons; its really up to a person what kind of life he wants to lead. Otherwise a software job is as good as a Govt. job and equivalent too.

If any young people, just entering a professional life, points to ponder will be, first to decide one's lifes priorities , try to visualize what you are going to be after 5, 10, 15 years, and decide. I am sure this will lead to a successful career selection and successful life too.

Best wishes.