Meet Hanna, Frontend Developer at People More. She has a deep understanding of programming languages and excellent graphic design skills.
Adriana Tynor: The IT industry is seen as prestigious – but also as quite a closed world. There are a lot of IT myths and stereotypes. How deeply rooted are they?
Hanna Bury: Even though we’re much more aware today than just a few years ago, a lot of people – especially those considering a move into IT – still cling to outdated beliefs. These myths distort the reality of what working in tech actually looks like. On one hand, they can discourage people from entering the field, and on the other – they can lead to unrealistic expectations. That’s why it’s so important to talk about what the industry is really like. It’s diverse, fast-paced, and full of opportunities for people with all kinds of skills and personalities.
A: Let’s start with one of the most common IT myths – that IT is a men-only field. Is there any truth to that?
H: Statistically speaking, men still make up the majority of the industry. According to data from the 2025 IT Community Report, around 80% of IT professionals are male. But that picture is changing rapidly. More and more women are choosing technical studies like computer science or data analysis. And we’re also seeing a noticeable increase in women who are transitioning into tech from other careers – often after completing coding bootcamps or online courses.
A: Another IT stereotype is that IT folks, e.g. IT professionals are introverts who sit alone in front of multiple screens all day. What’s the reality?
H: That image is so ingrained – mostly thanks to pop culture, movies, and memes. But the reality is very different. IT work is highly collaborative. Even developers who spend hours coding still need to regularly communicate with testers, project managers, designers, or clients. Skills like clear communication, presenting your ideas, asking the right questions, and sharing knowledge are a big part of the job. Yes, there are introverts, but also plenty of outgoing personalities. IT doesn’t exclude anyone – it thrives on diversity.
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A: You also often hear people say: “If you want to work in IT, you need a degree in computer science” Is that really necessary?
H: Not really. More and more companies don’t care about your diploma – they care about what you can do. Many amazing IT professionals never studied computer science. They taught themselves, completed bootcamps, joined online courses, and learned by doing. Today, what matters is your portfolio, hands-on skills, and a mindset focused on growth. If you’re passionate and determined, you can break into IT – even with a humanities background or no degree at all.
A: What about the IT myth that you can just learn one technology and coast for the rest of your career?
H: Honestly, in IT, that’s practically impossible. It’s one of the fastest-changing industries out there. Technologies, tools, programming languages, design approaches – they all evolve constantly. What you learn today could be outdated in a few years. So if you want to stay relevant, you have to keep learning. That’s part of what draws people to tech – no stagnation, new challenges, room for growth and changing your career path. There are tons of opportunities, as long as you’re ready to move forward.
A: When people say “I work in IT”, most assume they mean programming. But IT isn’t just coding, right?
H: Exactly. IT is massive – there are so many roles. Business analysts, DevOps engineers, QA testers, UX designers, sysadmins, cybersecurity specialists – the list goes on. Each role requires a unique skill set. You don’t have to know how to code to thrive in tech. Some people bring creativity, project management experience, analytical thinking, or a talent for organizing chaos. It’s this mix of strengths that makes the industry work.
A: One last IT myth: that IT work means long, lonely hours in front of a screen. True?
H: That’s just one side of the coin. Sure, some roles do require deep focus and independent work. But many others rely on teamwork, client communication, pitching solutions, and day-to-day collaboration – like I mentioned earlier. In a lot of projects, it’s those human interactions that make things succeed. The IT world is full of curious, engaged, open-minded people. It’s not a closed-off space – it’s built on connection and shared goals.
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A: If you had to convince someone who’s on the fence about joining IT – what would you say?
H: That it’s absolutely worth trying if you feel even a little bit drawn to it. You don’t need to be a math genius or have a CS degree. Curiosity, a willingness to learn, and determination are enough. IT offers huge opportunities – for growth, for income, for flexibility, for building exciting things. And all those IT myths holding you back? They’re not rooted in reality.
A: Thank you for conversation.
You’ve just read a conversation with Hanna Bury.
Adriana Tynor