There are many reasons why someone may choose to focus on a career working in the tech industry. Selling points are numerous, including the fact that jobs are widely available. At a time when the job market can be tight, it makes sense to put your focus where the jobs are. Another reason to work in the industry is for the enjoyment factor. The culture is different than many others. The dress code is typically very casual. Companies typically provide many benefits unheard of in other industries, such as providing meals, massages, paying you for the time you spend volunteering, and gym, massage, and other healthy living privileges. Depending on the area, you may also receive compensation for using public transit to commute.
Working in tech also ensures that you keep your skills up. Everything is constantly changing, and you will need to stay up to date to do your job. Some people may find this constant need to remain on the top of your education stressful, but many others thrive on it. If you are someone who likes to feel they are constantly stretching and growing, a career in tech is a great choice. The process can help you avoid that mid-career slump that many people find themselves facing. No job is perfect, but workers in this industry often have an easier time showcasing their talents than in other fields.
If you have trouble speaking up for yourself but know that you do great work, this may be the industry for you. There is little concern over age and experience, what people care about is if you can get the job done. One of the unique things about this industry is that the development of products and services is quick, the lifecycle short, and you are always looking for ways to innovate. For workers with experience in other industries, where projects drag on, are stalled or shelved, or are brought to completion only to have changes requested, the tech industry can be a breath of fresh air.
Breaking In
If you are curious about moving into the tech industry, you may wonder if you have the skills necessary to compete. A college degree can help you get your foot in the door. You don’t need to major in computer science, math, or statistics. A business or humanities degree shows that you have a range of experience to draw from. Taking the first step toward building your career should be earning that degree. If you are concerned about finances, look into private student loans with Earnest.com. These loans allow you to borrow money for tuition as well as living expenses. Repayment terms are favorable, and you will be well-positioned to break into the tech field after graduation.
You cannot think about working in tech without considering the importance of coding. Whether you plan to work in software development, data science, or another specialty, knowing how to code will be important. Even if your work doesn’t require it, having a basic understanding will help you make sense of what can, and cannot, be done. There are many fields you could specialize in, and you may wonder where you should focus your attention.
Software Developer
If you are interested in becoming a software developer, strong programming skills are key. Many people get stuck first on what language they should learn. The good news is that, as long as you choose one of the more regularly used languages, it doesn’t matter. Once you master one language, picking up the syntax of another is not nearly as challenging. Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, and C++ are all used widely in the industry. If you are interested in working in app development, Swift is the programming language used for iOS.
Machine Learning
Machine learning can be utilized in any industry, from healthcare, to finance, to education. You may have used a machine learning tool and not realize it. Chatbots, self-driving cars, and apps that use predictive analysis are utilizing machine learning. The demand for machine learning engineers is expected to continue to grow. We are still in the early stages of the field, and no one is sure exactly what is possible when using this tool. As more uses for machine learning develop, the demand for people who understand it will expand.
Data Science
Data science allows companies to make better decisions about their business. The vast amount of data that companies compile is useless without some way to extract meaning from it. You can sometimes break into the field through data analysis, working your way up into a data science position. This is another career that is just beginning to take off. This means there can be a big difference in data science positions and requirements from company to company. While some businesses will let you work your way up from an analyst position, many will expect you to have a graduate degree. Others prefer to hire from academia.
Data Engineering
Careers in data engineering are growing due to the growth of positions in data science. A data engineer helps manage and create the tools necessary for the data scientist to do their job. A data engineer does not extract insight from the data, they create the pipelines that allow the data scientist to do so.
Cloud Computing
With companies rapidly making the switch from server to cloud solutions, specialists in cloud computing are in high demand. A cloud computing specialist must be comfortable handing database storage, content delivery, and networking. Familiarity with software development, particularly Java, is beneficial, as is experienced with Linux.
Security
With so much of life online, security is a priority. When a company faces a security breach, the problems are numerous. Not only may they face liability for failing to protect their customer’s information, but the extensive bad press that these security breaches cause can also be devastating. If you are interested in working in tech, and not interested in programming, security can be a great choice. The work provides a lot of variety. Routine tasks, such as risk assessments and managing the network, will be interrupted for unexpected issues that arise when your business is primarily online.
