I’m currently working as a Data Engineer and have been seriously considering a career shift into PLC.
From my perspective, data and IT in general are very much “in the hype cycle” right now. While there are still plenty of opportunities, I’m starting to question how sustainable the long-term growth really is (especially with increasing competition, commoditization, and the rapid evolution of tools that abstract a lot of the complexity).
On the other hand, automation and robotics seem to be becoming more and more central to core business operations across industries. Unlike some areas in IT, this feels less like a trend and more like a fundamental layer that companies will always depend on.
Another factor is that PLC engineering appears to have less hype around it. Fewer people are talking about it, fewer are entering the field, and that might actually create a more stable and less saturated career path over time.
That said, I’m aware I might be missing important aspects of the reality on the ground. I would really appreciate any insights or personal experiences before making such a transition.
Thanks!