A recent survey conducted by ISACA has revealed that a large majority of IT professionals worldwide are facing work-related stress or burnout. The survey identified several key factors contributing to this issue, including heavy workloads, long hours, tight deadlines, lack of resources, unsupportive management, and lack of appreciation.
One of the top challenges highlighted by respondents in pursuing an IT career was the need for technical knowledge and skills. The survey identified the top three challenges in this area as the need for more technical knowledge, rapidly changing technology, tools, and best practices, and the need for specialized skills.
The report also highlighted a high turnover of jobs in the IT profession over the past two years, with younger workers being particularly prone to changing jobs or employers. The survey found that 42% of IT professionals aged under 35 had changed jobs or employers in the past two years, followed by 35% of professionals aged 35-44, 29% of those aged 45-54, and 25% of professionals aged 55 and older.
When asked about the top obstacles in their career paths, respondents cited not having a clear upward career path as a major concern. Other obstacles included limited access to career opportunities, lack of work-life balance, and lack of mentors. These challenges in retention are exacerbating the already existing shortage of tech and cybersecurity professionals for businesses, according to ISACA.
Chris Dimitriadis, Chief Global Strategy Officer at ISACA, emphasized the importance of supporting and investing in the tech workforce to address the high demand for skilled employees. He stressed the need for better retention strategies, including clear career growth pathways and a focus on work-life balance, especially for younger IT professionals who are switching jobs at a higher rate.
The survey also shed light on gender diversity challenges in the IT profession, with around a quarter of respondents identifying as female. While there are signs of a potential gender shift in the profession, with the proportion of females nearly double that of men under the age of 35, gender diversity biases and stereotypes remain a challenge for many female IT professionals. A significant number of female respondents reported experiencing gender discrimination at work.
Despite these challenges, many organizations are taking steps to address gender diversity issues. The survey found that a significant portion of respondents reported that their employers have programs in place to hire more women into technology roles and promote more women into leadership positions.
The survey was conducted among 7,726 members of ISACA working in digital trust fields such as information security, governance, assurance, risk, privacy, and quality. The findings highlight the need for organizations to prioritize the well-being and professional development of their IT workforce to address the growing challenges faced by IT professionals in the industry.