Getting A Career In Tech: Things To Keep In Mind

It is hard to overstate how much we depend on technology these days. You’re almost certainly reading this post from a computer, tablet, or phone screen. What if you don’t want to just use the tech that we so often take for granted? Whether you’re deciding on (or switching to) a major, or aiming to improve your employment prospects, careers in tech are in high demand.

If you’ve decided on, or still considering, a tech career, you may be wondering what you need. A successful career in tech relies on the following: 

Education

Obtaining formal education of some sort shows prospective employers that you take the professional development of your career seriously. Companies generally ask applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree in subjects like the following: 

• Computer science
• Electrical engineering
• Computer engineering (this is a combination of computer science and electrical engineering) 
• Software engineering
• Computer information systems
• Information technology
  
  

Some jobs will require, or at least give strong preference to, those with certifications. If you already have a degree, a relevant certification will help you stand out among the pool of applicants. For example, if you want to apply for a network engineering job, having a CompTIA Network+ certification gives you an edge over someone who applies for the job but isn’t certified. CompTIA is just one certifying body. Cisco, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are some companies that offer certification training classes. 

Whether you’re working towards that degree or that certification, self-study is required. The study materials can be found in books and, thanks to the wonders of technology, there are instructional videos on just about every subject on YouTube. 

Creativity and Critical Thinking

Critical thinking works in tandem with creativity to solve problems. You’ll need to understand the problems you’re faced with and seek out the best approach. Not every issue will be resolved the same way, and novel problems are resolved with innovative thinking, though the way in which past projects were resolved can be used as a foundation. 

Passion

Jobs in the tech field pay well. However, money shouldn’t be the only reason you’re considering a tech career! The path to a tech career will be more enjoyable if you want to understand how a computer (or other technology of choice) works and you want to build upon existing products or even create your own. Technology is always evolving, and it’s important to be aware of the latest trends and developments. 

When being interviewed for a job, companies want to know where your interests lie. How much do you know about the company? What do they do, and what are the current issues they need resolving? If you bring up a current problem they’re trying to solve, and how you want to help them resolve it, you’ll be more memorable.  

Our dependence on technology will continue to rise in tandem with the demand for those with the skills, understanding, and drive to resolve tech-related problems and be innovative. You already eat, sleep, and breathe technology. Why not take the leap into a tech career?