Should You Go Into Tech in 2025? My Honest Answer
This Post is mainly for people who are thinking about taking a CS degree, are in the early years of their degree, or are considering switching into tech(Software side). I’m here to give you a clear picture, specifically here in North America.
So should you go into tech in 2025? The very clear answer is NO. Please don’t. This is a dying field. Entry-level or junior roles have basically gone extinct due to AI and, more importantly, outsourcing to cheaper countries. This will only get worse in the future.
Even if you do manage to get in somehow, you’ll always be living in fear of being laid off. All in all, it’s a dead end.
My point here isn’t to demotivate anyone — it’s to give a realistic path to students and young people who are still in college and have time to make future decisions. I would strongly recommend looking into healthcare, or skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, or construction. Those jobs can’t be outsourced or replaced by AI, and their demand will only increase as the population grows.
I hope this helps someone. I really don’t want anyone else to go through the stress I’m dealing with.
Jobadvisor
This is an interesting perspective on the future of the tech industry. To provide a comprehensive and up-to-date answer, I need to verify the claims made in this post and gather information from various sources. I will research the current job market for entry-level tech roles, the impact of AI and outsourcing, and the projected growth of both the tech and skilled trades industries.
I will also look for data on job security and salary trends in these sectors to see if they support the claims.
The provided post presents a strong, and somewhat alarming, viewpoint on the future of the tech industry, particularly for new entrants. To give you a balanced and honest answer, I've researched the claims made about the industry in North America. Here's what the data suggests, breaking down the author's points one by one.
Is Tech a "Dying Field"?
The claim that tech is a "dying field" is not supported by current data. In fact, a 2025 Deloitte report projects a global IT spending growth of 9.3% for the year, with double-digit growth in software and data center segments. The tech industry isn't dying; it's undergoing a significant and strategic transformation. The industry is shifting its focus toward high-value, specialized areas like AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This is a realignment, not a decline in vitality.
Have Entry-Level and Junior Roles "Gone Extinct"?
This is the most critical and concerning point in the original post, and the data suggests there is a very real, and difficult, truth to this claim.
Impact of AI: The rise of AI-powered coding assistants (like GitHub Copilot) and automation tools is fundamentally changing the entry-level landscape. Multiple sources indicate that these tools are now handling tasks traditionally assigned to junior developers, such as writing boilerplate code, fixing simple bugs, and performing routine research. This increased productivity for senior developers means companies can operate with smaller, more experienced teams, reducing the need for junior hires.
Declining Job Postings: A number of reports show a sharp decline in entry-level tech job postings. Some sources state that entry-level tech job postings have dropped by as much as 35% since early 2023, and junior software roles have seen a 30% drop in the last year alone.
The "First Rung" is Missing: The traditional career path—getting an entry-level job and learning on the job—is becoming a much more challenging route. The "junior developer" role, as it was known, is increasingly seen as an "endangered species" by some industry analysts. This creates a significant "bottleneck" for new graduates and career switchers.
The Fear of Layoffs and Outsourcing
The post's author is correct that layoffs are a continuing reality in the tech industry, and have been for the past few years. Companies are restructuring their workforces to be "leaner, flatter, and more agile." Recent job cuts at major companies like Google, Intel, and Salesforce show a clear trend of firms using automation and AI to reduce headcount, particularly in areas like customer support and certain engineering functions.
Regarding outsourcing, a new U.S. visa rule could make it more expensive for American tech firms to hire international talent, potentially encouraging companies to either hire domestically or increase their reliance on remote workers based in other countries, which could further impact the domestic job market.
A Realistic Path: The Alternative Careers
The author's suggestion to consider healthcare or skilled trades is a sound one, supported by job market projections.
Healthcare: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that healthcare and social assistance will be the primary drivers of job growth from 2024 to 2034. This growth is fueled by an aging population and advancements in medical technology. The demand for not just patient-facing roles, but also healthcare IT specialists, is also on the rise as the industry undergoes a major digital transformation.
Skilled Trades: Skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work, and construction are indeed in high demand. These jobs are difficult to outsource or replace with AI, and the demand is projected to increase with population growth and infrastructure needs. Apprenticeships and trade schools offer a faster, more affordable path to a high-paying career than a traditional four-year degree.
Your Honest Answer for 2025
The post's advice to "Please don't" go into tech is a valid, though perhaps overly pessimistic, reaction to a very real problem. The traditional path into tech, especially for a generic software development role, is a highly difficult one for a new graduate or career switcher in 2025.
However, the tech industry is not a dead end. The key takeaway from all the research is that the tech industry is not dying, but it is changing. The jobs of the future are not in writing boilerplate code, but in high-level, human-centric skills that AI cannot replicate.
The future is not about replacing developers with AI, but about augmenting a smaller number of highly-skilled developers with AI.
So, should you go into tech in 2025? My honest answer is that it depends entirely on your strategy.
If you are looking for a straightforward, entry-level coding job where you can learn on the job, the path is extremely difficult. You will be competing with a massive number of candidates for a shrinking pool of opportunities.
If you are willing to specialize in high-demand areas that complement AI, the future is incredibly bright. Fields like cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI development, and data science are experiencing high demand and offer excellent job security and compensation.
Your choice is not between tech and a dying field, but between a difficult, commoditized path and a promising, specialized one. If you are starting your journey, the most important thing is to be intentional, choose a specialty with high demand, and develop the human skills—like complex problem-solving and communication—that will make you indispensable in an AI-driven world.
Is it too late to start programming at 43?
Hi everyone. I’m 43 years old with a background in digital & affiliate marketing, management, etc. I’ve always been interested in tech and recently got excited about learning programming.
My goal is not to become a senior developer overnight, but to grow steadily and maybe switch careers in the next 1–2 years.
Is it realistic to start now? Has anyone here successfully done something similar after 40? I'd appreciate honest advice and stories.
Jobadvisor
This is a fantastic question and one that many people in your position have. The short answer is: No, it is absolutely not too late to start programming at 43. In fact, your background may give you an edge.
Here's a breakdown of why it's a realistic goal and some insights from people who have made a similar transition:
Why Your Age and Background Are Not a Disadvantage
Maturity and Professionalism: You're not a college graduate just learning how to navigate a professional environment. You already have a strong work ethic, experience in management, and an understanding of business goals. Companies value this. You know how to collaborate, meet deadlines, and handle professional communication, which are all crucial skills.
Domain Expertise: Your background in digital and affiliate marketing is incredibly valuable. Many software companies build products for marketers. You would be a developer who deeply understands the end user. This is a rare and highly sought-after combination of skills. You could work on marketing automation platforms, e-commerce tools, or data analytics for marketing teams.
Focus and Discipline: You know what you want. You're not exploring a career path on a whim. This focus will help you stay disciplined during the learning process, which can be challenging at times.
The Learning Curve is Manageable: Programming is not an insurmountable mountain. It's a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. Your goal of growing steadily over the next 1-2 years is very realistic. You can start with basic web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) or a language like Python, which is known for its readability and broad applications.
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Stories and Examples of Success
It's very common to see stories of people successfully transitioning into tech careers later in life. Here's what you'll often find:
The "Bootcamp" Success Story: Many people attend intensive coding bootcamps specifically designed for career changers. These programs often have students ranging from their 20s to their 60s. The curriculum is focused, and they provide career support to help you land your first job.
The "Self-Taught" Success Story: Others, like yourself, dive into online resources, books, and personal projects. The key here is consistency and building a portfolio of projects that demonstrate your skills.
The "Niche" Success Story: People with specific industry experience often find their niche. A former nurse might become a developer for a health tech company. A former teacher might build educational software. Your marketing background could be your niche.
Honest Advice for Your Journey
Start Now: Don't wait. The best way to know if this is for you is to dive in. There are countless free resources like freeCodeCamp, The Odin Project, and Codecademy to get you started.
2 Focus on a Path: Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick a path and stick to it. Web development is a great entry point because the results are immediately visible.
Build a Portfolio: The best way to show a potential employer what you can do is to have a portfolio of projects. These don't have to be groundbreaking; they just need to work and demonstrate your understanding of the fundamentals. Think about building a simple marketing tool, a data dashboard, or a website for a small business.
Network: Connect with other developers, especially those who have made a similar career change. Attend meetups (even virtual ones) and join online communities.
Embrace the Journey: There will be moments of frustration. Every programmer, no matter their age, hits a wall. The key is to see it as a puzzle to be solved, not a sign that you're not cut out for it.
In conclusion, your age is not a barrier; it's a unique asset. Your life and professional experience will give you a perspective that a younger, less-experienced developer might not have. It's a challenging but incredibly rewarding career, and the fact that you're excited about it is the most important factor of all. Good luck on your journey!