Getting into Technology Careers
Getting into Technology Careers
Ever wondered about what it takes to break into tech, what kind of jobs exist within it and how to get started?
High School Prep!
What’s important to note, is that while tech is present in almost every industry be it healthcare, entertainment or finance, this also makes it super competitive. Not to worry! Starting early and building a strong foundation are key here so it would be ideal to focus on subjects like mathematics, physics and computer science when in school.
Math helps think analytically and understand algorithms while physics plays a role in fields like robotics or developing hardware! Computer science on the other hand, if offered at your school, is an excellent way to get more hands-on experience with programming and solving problems.
Here’s a pro tip: Taking short online courses in coding languages like Python, Java, or C++ can give you an advantageous edge before you start college!
Speaking of college,
Most tech careers require at least a bachelor’s degree in fields like:
Computer Science: Which covers programming, algorithm and software development.
Information Technology: Also known as IT! It focuses on studying topics like cybersecurity and administration of different computer systems.
Data Science & AI: Some of the most highly sought after and novel professions today that are ideal for those interested in machine learning and analytics.
Another option is software engineering (that combines programming with actually applying them to real-world issues like developing hospital machines that diagnose diseases)
There are many universities that offer excellent tech programs! Some of the most highly ranked ones globally are -
MIT: For Computer Science, Data Science and Economics
Harvard University: For Computer Science
UCLA: For Statistics and Data Science
University of Pennsylvania: For Systems Science and Engineering and
Cornell University: For Information Science (how people interact with technology and how to make it more user-friendly for them), Systems, and Technology overall.
Top Careers in Tech
Like I mentioned before, tech is all around us. With the right qualifications, college degrees and skills in place, there’s a place for almost everyone! Whether you love coding, design or problem-solving.
So, what are some of the top career options in tech?
Technical support specialist: This is for those who like troubleshooting problems and by working within the IT departments of companies and ensuring that software issues are fixed quickly and systems run smoothly.
Another option is being a computer programmer! Programmers write and test code to create software applications.
Data analysts collect, process and interpret data to suggest decisions for organizations. So if numbers and patterns interest you, this is a great career to use tools like Python and SQL to uncover the latest trends and gain valuable insights.
Additionally, web developers help design websites (all the way from how it looks to how it functions) while cybersecurity specialists work on protecting company data, analyzing risks of breach and developing protection strategies.
Most of these don’t require licensing, but getting certifications, pursuing internships, participating in hackathons and if time permits, even building some independent projects of your own are a great way to gain real-world experience and enhance your resume before landing your first job!
Tech careers are only going to expand so if you’re passionate about solving problems and working with cutting-edge tools, a career in technology might just be perfect for you!
Sources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nU9GnD6E6E1ixsTP5HJ83nE2GS_33m93jS7zxqulwnE/edit?tab=t.0
https://www.topuniversities.com/university-subject-rankings/engineering-technology