Starting a career in the tech field is a great idea for everyone who wants to have a decently-paid job without being tied to a physical workplace and tight schedules. It also offers an ability to plan your day and workload most acceptably and comfortably, making it one of the most sought-after paths for every professional.
If you think about starting a career in tech or switching to this field with time, be sure to consider the positions mentioned in this article. Some of them may require additional training and degree, while others don’t.
Software Development
The apps that sing, buzz, and wake you up from a sleepless morning or help you navigate your way through social media, music, and your personal calendar are all the creations of software developers. These IT professionals are highly-demanded due to their computer systems and programming expertise. They work to adapt current IT systems for improved efficiency, performance, and security.
Although they share similar job duties, software developers differ from software engineers. Engineers possess more expansive engineering know-how and oversee the full software development process, from initiation to launch. Software developers, on the other hand, focus on applications used for mobile devices and computer desktops, and they often work in a range of engaging industries like finance and insurance, healthcare, manufacturing, and software publishing.
Those who want to pursue a career as a software developer typically earn a bachelor’s degree in IT and software development or complete a program at a coding bootcamp. However, they can also build skills through internships or self-taught training programs, which can nowadays be found as easily as the answer to any student’s popular question, “is paperhelp reliable enough to help me with my studies.” The pay is competitive, and making a lucrative living through this career is possible.
Data Analytics
Data analysts collect raw information and turn it into meaningful insights that companies can use. They help their employers understand how to utilize their products and services best. The skills learned in this career can be transferred to many industries. The work itself can be challenging and rewarding. It requires strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work with various data sets. It’s also highly transferable to other fields, making it a great option for those looking for a career change.
You can get the necessary skills to become a data analyst through a four-year college degree, a shorter boot camp program, self-study, or a combination of these methods. You’ll learn Python programming, SQL querying, and data visualization skills. Regardless of the path you take, a willingness to learn is important. Plenty of online resources, courses, and boot camps are available to help you get started. The key is to find the one that fits your schedule and learning style. From there, you’ll be well on your way to a successful career in data analytics.
Network Engineering
Nearly every business and organization needs a computer network to function and meet its operational goals. Network engineers’ role is to set up, repair, and manage these systems. This advanced job requires a strong mix of technical knowledge and experience. A level 4 network engineer apprenticeship is an entry point for those looking to enter the career. However, it’s often recommended that you start out in other IT support roles first to gain the relevant skills and experience.
The responsibilities of a network engineer are vast and vary with seniority. For example, junior-level network engineers may only focus on a specific subset of tasks (like networking hardware infrastructure). While a senior-level networks engineer works with more complex IT solutions such as cloud networking architecture and managing network security and data protection. Ultimately, these professionals are always learning how to use and apply their knowledge better. This dynamism makes them one of the most valuable tech careers.
Web Development
Web Developers create and maintain websites, applications, and services. This field requires good research skills as developers seek to understand client’s needs and develop software to meet those goals. Depending on their specialty, web developers can also possess strong analytical thinking and project management abilities. Web Developers can focus on either the front-end or back-end of a website; some even work as full-stack web developers, creating both the user interface and the application behind the scenes.
In addition to coding languages, web developers need an understanding of design and usability principles. Front-end Web Developers, in particular, program the screens that users see and interact with, so it’s a huge benefit to have a solid grasp of UX design. As SEO continues to be a key component of many online marketing strategies, web developers must understand how their site organization, architecture, and speed will affect overall search engine optimization efforts. Like most tech careers, a Bachelor’s degree is typically required to become a Web Developer. However, several jobs within the field don’t require a four-year degree and can be achieved through self-teaching or a robust portfolio of previous work.
Project Management
Project managers are responsible for executing, planning, monitoring, and controlling projects from start to finish. These roles are often found in the health care, manufacturing and construction, information services and publishing, management, and professional services industries. The skills required to be a project manager vary widely depending on the industry. However, all candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the business environment and market they work within. This includes knowing how the company fares against its competitors, as well as understanding what their unique selling points are.
It’s also important to be a good communicator and be able to handle a variety of tasks. This can include interviewing and hiring new staff, creating long-term plans, determining short-term personnel requirements, delegating projects, organizing phases of work, and resolving issues. If you want to pursue a career in this field, look for opportunities to develop your team management and communication skills. These might include work experience in a supportive role or participation in extracurricular clubs and societies. It might also help to obtain a PM certificate, although this is not an essential requirement.
