Some years ago, careers in technology seemed limited to software development and writing programming languages. Today, with the constant innovation in the industry, there are different skills and careers to choose from. If you are considering starting a career in the industry, now is the best time. “There’s a shortage of tech talent everywhere now,” says Michelle J Ma, Director at Michael Page Hong Kong. “And the demand is for all tech functions, not just software-related.”
Before going into the five simple steps to start a career in tech, keep this in mind. You don’t have to be a genius to work in technology, nor do you need to have a technical background. Most people thriving in the industry don’t have an IT background. If they can, you can as well.
Follow the steps below to start your career in tech:
1. Research extensively
Going into tech requires that you have a profound knowledge of the industry. This will guide you in choosing the best career for you. Technology is a broad field. As such, it is important to conduct extensive research on the different careers in the industry before choosing one that aligns with your passion. Some of the careers are:
- Product Management;
- Product Design;
- Data Science;
- Data analysis;
- Technical writing;
- Business analysis;
- Project management;
- Quality assurance;
- UI/UX Designer;
- Motion design;
- Graphic design;
- Digital Marketing;
- Web developer;
- Mobile Developer.
After gathering enough knowledge about the different careers, you can explore the one that appeals to you.
2. Decide the career path for you.
During your research, you have gained profound insight into what goes on in the industry and can decide which career is right for you. If you know one or two people familiar with the industry, you can share your interest with them to get first-hand tips on navigating the career. However, if you have none, do not worry. The internet is a safe place to ask questions and get many helpful answers. From beginners’ courses to writing your CV, there is a lot of information online to help you.
YouTube, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, Skill Share, Google Courses, and Coursera offer great beginner courses in tech. Check them out and choose the ones for you.
3. Start learning
This is where the actual work begins. If you have followed the first two steps, the next is to start learning. Invest time and money into gathering entry-level skills and learning as much as possible. Learn the basics of programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, and Python. Although not all careers in tech involve coding, a good knowledge of the different programming languages helps you excel in your chosen field.
Also, technical career offer opportunity to grow and switch as you progress. For instance, you can start as a technical writer and dive into product management as you grow. The important thing is to start learning and gathering the required skills in your chosen career.
4. Highlight your soft skills and previous knowledge
Thriving in the tech industry also requires some important soft skills. Depending on your chosen career path, you might interact with more humans than machines. As such, you need hands-on soft skills like effective communication and teamwork.
If, in your previous work, you are already liaising with different people to get the job done or you have overseen the start and end of a project, these skills are equally important in the technology industry. You never can tell, your soft skills might give you an edge in the industry.
5. Get entry-level jobs or volunteer.
One of the best ways to gather knowledge for a new career is to start with entry-level jobs and internships. This allows you to work closely with experienced people and grow. Nevertheless, if taking entry-level jobs will affect you financially, you can start by doing this part-time or as a freelancer. In no time, you will catch up and start charging your worth.
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