World's first IT lifestyle census conducted

Embarcadero Europe, a software development company, has compiled the world's first IT lifestyle census, surveying 5,000 IT professionals in the UK to 'understand what makes them tick.'

The IT professional of the future no longer fits the stereotypical image of a 'geek' according to the census. It found that:

"IT workers are less than conventional, and incredibly valuable. They work harder than average, are highly intelligent, and very well informed. Young, but with an average of thirteen years experience in IT, they are more concerned with career opportunities than salary. Maybe that's why they would prefer to have dinner with Bill Gates rather than Jordan (although Ali G got more votes than Larry Ellison!)."

"IT professionals are educated people, and over 52 per cent have university degrees, but despite the ferocious demand within the industry for bright people, the head-hunters have got their work cut out. 60 per cent said they wouldn't leave their job within three years. They may find work stressful (42 per cent are under constant pressure and another 55 per cent under frequent pressure) but they do enjoy their jobs (90 per cent enjoy work most of the time) and the rewards that go with them. The image of ostentatious cars and laptop cases stuffed with notes rings false, however, they may earn more than average (£35,000 typically; £14,000 more than average) but still drive more Vauxhalls than Mercedes."

"IT professionals are mostly men (83 per cent) and are more social than they are given credit for: they go out about twice a week, enjoy a few pints of beer, are competent cooks and budding gourmets (Italian especially), and indulge themselves with over two holidays a year (with the USA coming favourite) and live sporting events. They enjoy music and playing football, make time for family and friends at the weekend (only 30 per cent are single, but few have children so far), and are very free-thinking, with over a third refusing to work for large IT companies."

"They are remarkably well informed: both about industry news and current affairs, and, not surprisingly, make extensive use of internet resources to find out what's going on (33 per cent feel online news sources are more useful than printed media). They also prefer Eastenders to Coronation Street. They take IT issues very seriously (40 per cent thought the internet was the most important IT innovation, compared to 3 per cent for Lara Croft) and feel strongly about future developments, particularly E-commerce."

"Over 5,000 people took part in the Census: an unprecedented response for an unsung and unsinging profession. IT people are so very important to society, and they should not be left to their own modesty: our everyday lives rely on IT, from sending emails to pulling cash out of the wall. IT is all around us, but is nothing without the people who enable it, without those who do more now."

David Oates, Vice President of Embarcadero Europe, said: "When we first decided to conduct the world's first IT 'Lifestyle' census we didn't really know what to expect. We wanted to gain an insight into the people that make our industry tick, because we always need to listen to what they want. Only then can we help them do more now. We were astounded by some of the results and pleasantly surprised by others. It's time IT people made their voices heard - they're too important to exist in the silence and shadows of their own dedication."

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Richard Powell, UKTECH