Why IT Pros Will Look for Better Jobs in 2017

A significant number of IT professionals expect to be working for a different employer next year, according to a recent survey from Spiceworks. The resulting "2017 Tech Career Outlook" reveals that tech employees are seeking more promising opportunities to expand their technology skills and make more money. They'd also like to work for a company that recognizes and understands the value of IT initiatives. The findings convey a number of lingering frustrations on the part of IT staffers. Most anticipate continuing difficulties in getting managers to understand the importance of IT department priorities, as well as challenges in gaining approval for important technology projects. The tech pros are also wary about future data threats, outdated infrastructure and systems, and ineffective disaster recovery tools and strategies. On the positive side, survey respondents said they feel appreciated by their bosses and co-workers—but that alone may not be enough to keep them around for another year. "Businesses rely on IT professionals to protect company data and make sure the devices and services they rely on 'just work,' but many IT professionals believe they're underpaid and their department is underfunded," said Peter Tsai, IT analyst at Spiceworks. "This is leading many tech professionals to take advantage of the favorable job market expected next year and seek employers that prioritize their IT department, invest in tech talent and provide adequate resources to be successful." Nearly 500 global IT pros took part in the research.