What are the benefits of studying IT and what career prospects does it offer?

After completing class 12, students have the opportunity to pursue higher education. There are various subjects such as management, information technology, arts, hotel management, and health that can be studied at this level. However, many students are often confused about which subject to choose for their graduation. Over the years, the field of information technology has expanded, resulting in an increase in the number of IT students. Some students choose IT out of personal interest, while others are influenced by their peers. Unfortunately, there are instances where students start studying IT due to peer pressure and end up dropping out midway.

But why should one study information technology? In today’s age of communication and technology, we are heavily reliant on technology in almost every aspect of our lives. There is hardly any organization that can operate efficiently without the use of technology. Moreover, by exporting IT services, one can earn a significant amount of money while staying in Nepal. In fact, Nepal has earned over 67 billion through IT service exports in a single year. The field of IT offers numerous opportunities for employment. According to IT expert Rohit Pandey, studying IT provides a good career path as there is a high demand for IT professionals in the job market. Ganga Subba, an associate professor, emphasizes that studying IT opens doors to various opportunities worldwide and provides practical knowledge. Bimal Sharma, the IT head of White House International College, adds that IT has become indispensable in today’s world. He states that many students are choosing IT as it is the future. Additionally, Reg Bhandari, the registrar of Lumbini Technical University, believes that studying IT is crucial for personal development in any field since it is now an essential aspect of government and other forms of work.

So, who should study information technology? Nowadays, IT has become a popular choice among students. Even at the school level, students start learning about computers and coding. Students who have studied mathematics, science, or management in class 12 are eligible to pursue IT. However, it is important for students to have a genuine interest and passion for IT. Merely studying IT due to external pressure can have serious consequences in the future. Subba highlights that it is not necessary to have a background in science and mathematics to study IT in higher education. According to her, students who have studied science, mathematics, or administration in class 12 can pursue IT courses in their graduation, as long as they have the will to study it. Bhandari points out that many IT students who study abroad tend to do so because of peer influence, which often results in dropping out. In Nepal, most students do not choose IT based on peer influence. Bhandari claims that those who genuinely choose IT for their own understanding and interest will have a better future in the field.

In recent times, IT has become increasingly relevant in almost every sector. The government’s Digital Nepal campaign is a testament to this. Both the government and private sectors have a demand for IT professionals. Sharma emphasizes that studying IT is essential as it is integrated into almost all work sectors. Students interested in pursuing a career in technology should gain a deeper understanding of IT. The younger generation is exposed to technology from an early age, and the government has even included computer science in the school curriculum to further enhance students’ interest and usage of technology.

There are various IT courses available in Nepal, taught by domestic and foreign universities. Colleges affiliated with Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Pokhara University, Purvanchal University, Lumbini Technical University, Coventry University UK, Asia E University, Sudurpaschim University, and Midwest University offer different IT courses. These courses include BSc CSIT, BIT, BCA, Computer Engineering, BCIS, AI, Cyber Security, Software Engineering, Data Science, Cloud Engineering, and more. Government colleges generally have lower fees compared to private institutions, which determine their fees based on the facilities provided. Subba suggests that students have the freedom to choose their preferred IT courses according to their interests. Sharma adds that while there are numerous IT courses available, students should select the one they enjoy and study it with a thorough understanding.

Upon completing their IT studies, students have various job opportunities both domestically and internationally. IT is a skill-based field, and individuals with skills can find employment anywhere. The demand for IT professionals is also increasing in every sector as Nepal becomes more digitized. Web designers, UI/UX designers, data scientists, data analysts, system analysts, system administrators, project managers, software programmers, database designers, database administrators, digital marketers, network administrators, graphics designers, web developers, IT officers, software engineers, information security analysts, information system auditors, cryptographers, cloud engineers, application developers, telecommunication engineers, software quality assurance engineers, technical content writers, and IT consultants are among the job positions available in the field of IT.