How to Jumpstart Your Tech Career

February 28, 2024

Working in the tech industry allows you to make real-world impacts by identifying and evaluating problems and creating solutions. The industry is constantly evolving with new innovations and technologies, forging new roles and creating immense growth potential for anyone, regardless of their starting point. If you’re interested in learning how to jumpstart your tech career, continue reading.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment in tech roles is projected to grow 15% in the next decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. As the demand for tech workers continues to increase, companies are changing their job descriptions to focus more on skills and less on degrees. Fortunately, there are lots of avenues into technology regardless of your background or prior experience. If you’re interested in advancing your career path and increasing your earning potential, there is no better time to jump into the tech industry.

Tips on How to Jumpstart Your Tech Career

Do your research.

The tech industry is a very broad field. Before jumping right into coding, for example, be sure to look into the different areas like web development, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or mobile app development to identify what interests you the most and focus your learning in that area. Once you’ve picked a sector that appeals to you, you’ll want to identify and work on developing the technical skills necessary to excel in this role. Consider researching different programs and websites to learn about the certifications, degrees, and immersive training courses that can best support your career development.

Remember that self-motivation is a must.

Working in the tech industry often requires a continuous learning mindset as new technologies continue to emerge. Whether it be through online training or independent learning and practice, you can excel in understanding niche technical areas, like data warehousing or software development. This knowledge does not require a college degree, and the information is accessible through various resources online. YouTube also is a free resource that has thousands of videos on anything you might be interested in or to help with a difficult topic you’re struggling with.

Earn industry certifications.

Getting certified may be the quickest entry point into the technology industry. While a tech degree can take 1 to 4 years to complete, some certifications can be earned in just a few weeks. There are many comparisons between getting a degree or earning certifications, but it’s important to note that a degree is not mandatory for entering the tech workforce. In fact, 59% of senior IT leaders (Director titles and higher) say they’re experiencing difficulties hiring qualified IT talent. By getting certified, you’ll show potential employers that you have the skills they need and therefore open the door to more job opportunities.

Create a customized résumé that sticks out.

When applying for jobs in the tech industry, review the descriptions of the open positions that interest you. This helps you understand the requirements and important aspects of the role, enabling you to customize your résumé for a targeted appeal to hiring managers. Each company, job, and hiring process is unique, and adjusting your résumé for each role can help differentiate you from other candidates, so include specific skills, tools, languages, software, and programs you are familiar with. Relevant keywords can also enhance the likelihood of your résumé being chosen for further evaluation, especially if a company utilizes résumé-scanning software.

Have a continuous learning mindset.

Technology is constantly evolving, with new tools, frameworks, and methodologies emerging regularly. If you’re interested in advancing your career path and increasing your earning potential, you will need a constant learning mindset. You’ll want to take advantage of online resources and opportunities to stay updated with the latest trends and technologies, as well as relevant tech skills that employers are looking for. There are a plethora of training courses online for any specific skills or topics you are interested in, so there is limitless opportunity when it comes to your own upskilling and reskilling initiatives.

Network, network, network!

To get a good idea of what a career in tech looks like, make sure to connect and have conversations with people in the industry. This can be through online platforms, as well as attending tech meetups, conferences, and seminars. Talk to people about their own career path and experiences, and how it relates to the wider tech sector. Networking allows professionals to share knowledge, build meaningful relationships, enhance visibility, and build repor.

There are many online communities dedicated to various aspects of the tech industry. You could join communities on Reddit, like LearnRust , as well as sites like StackOverflow that offer assistance with those on a coding journey. Before pursuing a tech career, you want to be sure you know which area you want to go into and find people in it to talk to. By forming new connections and cultivating relationships, you can enhance your professional network and increase your opportunities to engage with potential employers.