Insights from reading: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/10/the-computer-science-dream-has-become-a-nightmare/
The paradigm shift
Over time, the IT sector has radically changed its approach to hiring and developing junior profiles.
When I started in 1978, anyone with even a basic understanding of programming was considered a wizard. Companies were willing to invest time and resources in internal training, building a solid infrastructure on which to base their growth.
Gradually, however, this model was abandoned in favor of immediately productive candidates, capable of delivering value from day one. The result? An IT professional supply with peaks of specialization in specific areas, but often lacking an overall vision.
The impact of automation and AI
The advent of automation and artificial intelligence has lowered the skill threshold needed for many entry-level tasks, drastically reducing opportunities for those entering the market without experience. At the same time, major tech companies are cutting hiring and mentoring programs.
The looming generational gap
What will be the medium-term result? A worrying generational gap characterized by:
- Too many seniors leaving: approaching retirement, taking with them a wealth of skills often not passed on.
- Very few juniors entering: struggling to find opportunities to get in and gain field experience.
- Mid-level professionals under pressure: finding themselves bridging an increasingly crowded market, with poor prospects for stable growth.
Concrete consequences for the sector
This scenario is already producing tangible and worrying effects:
- Delayed projects and technical debt accumulation due to lack of resources dedicated to maintenance and refactoring
- Legacy systems at risk: growing difficulties in managing and updating fundamental infrastructures for strategic sectors
- Explosive costs: skyrocketing hiring and turnover, with companies forced to resort to outsourcing or recalling former retirees
- Polarized market: overpaid super-experts on one side, aspiring juniors in fierce competition on the other
The urgency of changing course
This is a problem that is already evident today. But if we don’t reverse this trend, within a few years we could find ourselves with an IT sector unable to guarantee operational continuity and innovation, with serious risks to business competitiveness. With the risk of definitively cutting the bridge that has always allowed the transfer of experience and knowledge from old to new generations.
It is urgent to rethink the approach to training and entry into the IT world. We need:
- Structured mentoring paths
- Quality training internships
- Gradual and sustainable professional growth for junior profiles
- Long-term investments in internal training
Only in this way can we ensure a solid and innovative future for our sector.