The tech industry is full of opportunities for entry-level professionals as well as seasoned professionals seeking a career change. Tech careers are personally rewarding and challenging, making them ideal for problem solvers and analytical minds. Professionally, they offer a lot of opportunities for career advancement, which can translate into an attractive salary. They also require a lot of collaboration and communication, which makes them appealing to people who love working with teams to solve problems.
One great thing about tech is that nearly every type of skillset and interest is represented. Anyone with a clear plan can end up with a rewarding tech career. Because technology is continually evolving, there are plenty of chances to be at the forefront of the industry and significantly impact future generations.
Shortlist of careers in technology sector which we are looking into here:
- How to Become a Data Analyst
- How to Become a Data Scientist
- How to Become a Product Manager
- How to Become a Software Engineer
- How to Become a UX Designer
- How to Become a Web Designer
- How to Become a Web Developer
When you are deciding on a career path, consider your interests and skills. If you choose a career path based solely on how lucrative it is or how many jobs are available, you may find yourself unhappy in the long run. Find a job that excites you and keeps you engaged and interested if you want to have a long and enjoyable career in tech.
Understanding careers in technology
The technology field is different from others in several ways. Here are some of the critical things to keep in mind as you start your path toward a career in tech.
1. Things change constantly
Tech becomes obsolete very quickly, which means that people in the tech industry need to be ready for changes. You must be prepared to adapt to change and learn new things regularly and rapidly to succeed in the tech industry. It is essential to understand fundamentals and be ready to apply your knowledge to new situations and technologies as they arise.
2. Be prepared to learn on the job
Some industries expect you to come in ready to go on day one. It’s common for new employees in the tech field to learn their new roles on the job. This is true for entry-level positions as well as higher-level positions. Each company has its own way of doing things and often uses proprietary technology and tools that are impossible to learn outside of the business. On your first day, be ready to learn.
3. Questions are your friend
If you want to succeed in the tech industry, you can’t be afraid to ask questions. In fact, asking questions is often the root of great advancements. Figuring out how to solve problems is critical for programmers and developers.
4. Staying up to date is critical
Because things are always changing, it’s essential to stay up to date on the industry so that you can always know the latest trends and technologies. In tech, it’s not enough to keep up with competitors. You want to be the one leading the way and driving innovation.
5. Tech careers are often self-made
Many of the most successful tech professionals are self-taught. There are plenty of online courses, videos, and books available that can help you learn the necessary skills to get a job in tech. Once you are there, it will be up to you to learn best practices for your company and industry. If you aren’t willing to go out of your way to learn something new, then tech probably isn’t right for you.
Which new career to pursue in tech
The tech industry has its own lingo, which extends to the types of jobs that it offers. Many of these positions require some credentials, ranging from online certification to a college degree. The exact educational requirements will vary depending on the company you want to work for.
Here is a breakdown of some of the hottest careers in tech that you might want to pursue. These positions all work together to build websites, apps, and mobile experiences for customers worldwide.
Web Developer →
A web developer’s primary function is building websites. Developers are responsible for all of the technical aspects of a website, including getting it up and running if it crashes, fixing bugs, and working with other teams to create the best user experience possible. In smaller companies, web developers may do most (or all) of the design. In larger companies, web developers work with UX and UI designers to build websites for their users. Web developers can work for a company or freelance and take on different projects as they choose.
Median pay in the US: $73,760 (source).
Mobile Developer
A mobile developer has similar responsibilities as a web developer, with the key difference that they focus on mobile websites and apps instead of the desktop experience. Mobile developers are often also Android developers and iOS developers since they build apps for Android and Apple devices. Because mobile is quickly overtaking desktop as the go-to for users, this is a hot career with a lot of growth potential.
Median pay: $89,000
Data Scientist →
Data scientists are extremely analytical. They use their analytical skills to process large sets of data and distill it down into meaningful, actionable insights for the company. Data scientists are also often responsible for creating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms that can offer insights. They usually have a background in statistics and are not afraid of massive spreadsheets.
Unlike other tech careers, data scientists almost always need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, although many companies require a graduate degree. If you think you may be interested in pursuing a data science career, you can start by taking one online course before committing to a full-time degree program.
Median pay: $125,250
Project Manager
A project manager is responsible for understanding the full scope of a project and ensuring everyone has the resources they need to fulfill their part. If you are a “people person,” then a career in project management could be for you. Much of a project manager’s day is spent talking with team members and coordinating workflows.
In addition to finding solutions for logistical challenges, project managers also need to regularly communicate with team members and provide support when they need it. To succeed as a project manager, you will need to have a strong backbone because you will be the one negotiating and enforcing deadlines.
Median pay: $82,609
Front-end Engineer
Front-end engineers are responsible for creating the code that appears on a user’s browser. Essentially, any website you interact with has been coded by a front-end engineer. Front-end engineers need to know different languages of code, like HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
Because they often work in teams, front-end engineers should have good communication skills to work with others to create a valuable user experience.
Median pay: $85,000
DevOps Engineer
The term DevOps combines the words “development” and “operations.” A DevOps team bridges the gap between IT operations and software development. A DevOps engineer collaborates between groups to ensure software deployment goes smoothly.
Because collaboration with other teams and stakeholders is essential, DevOps engineers should have above average communication skills. Although their primary job function does not require as much coding as a front-end engineer, they should also know some coding.
Median pay: $95,269
UX Designer →
In tech, “UX” refers to “user experience.” So, a UX designer focuses on determining what design elements a website should have to produce the best experience for the end-user.
UX designers often are not involved in the actual website design. Instead, they interview customers, gather feedback through surveys, and create user personas to define the website’s architecture. UX designers come from all walks of life. They are empathetic, creative, and analytical.
Median pay: $74,262
UI Designer
In tech, “UI” refers to “user interface.” UI designers are responsible for the actual design of the website, with a focus on usability. They design buttons, graphics, animations, and more to enhance the visual appeal and make sure it is user-friendly. They work closely with UX designers and developers to build website experiences that are intuitive and easy for end-users to use.
Median pay: $64,548
Choosing your next career in tech
As you can see, people from all backgrounds and with all types of interests and skillsets can succeed in the tech industry. With the right training and education, you can enter a new high paying profession in tech that allows you to use your creativity and innovation to solve problems and help end-users.
When you are choosing a career in tech, consider what interests you the most. If you love the thought of coding and building websites, you should look into becoming a web developer or a web designer. If you prefer to spend your days talking with teams and organizing projects, project management or DevOps could be a better fit.
Before diving into a tech career path, do some research to make sure you enjoy doing the work. You can start your education online with online courses and certifications from educational platforms like Coursera.
Online education platforms can help you jumpstart your tech career. As they allow you to try several different types of careers before you decide where to invest your time and resources.