You’ve been intrigued by the rise of the tech industry and know that a career change is the right choice for you. But there’s a lot of different roles and responsibilities within tech; these roles all apply to different strengths and weaknesses. So, which one should you choose? Well, that depends on you. Before we dive into some of the different options, it’s important to know exactly what is driving your decision.
What’s important to you?
There’s a ton of opportunities available in tech; in fact, many of the workforce’s largest gaps are in the tech industry. And that’s because tech is an incredibly fast moving sector with a need for well-trained, highly skilled professionals. That’s why it offers growth and high salaries which sound great on paper, but it’s important to define what’s behind your decision to jump into tech. If any of these apply to you, tech sounds like a great fit:
You enjoy problem solving
You want to be creative at work
You want to keep learning on the job
You want a new challenge
You want flexibility in your new role
You want growth opportunities at work
These are all great qualities that are highly desirable in tech, but a big career change can be scary, no matter what point in your career you are at. Here are some of the biggest doubts that new techies have:
“I’m bad at math! How will I work in tech?!”
While there are a good number of tech roles that do require math skills, many don’t! Consider design roles, such as visual design, graphic design, or UX/UI design. Tech companies also need additional support, such as marketing or content.
“Will I make a good salary even if I’m not a senior developer?”
Yes, you will. Customer support specialists, for example, still make great salaries.
“Will I fit in?”
Historically, tech hasn’t been the most diverse and inclusive industry, but that’s changing. And it’s something to consider when interviewing; ensure that the company’s values fit yours; there are many tech companies that are truly dedicated to achieving equality. If they don’t, that’s a sign to place your talents elsewhere.
“How do I know what role is right for me?”
You’re in the right place! This article will outline the characteristics of four of the biggest tech roles to help you find the right one for you.
Finding the Right Tech Role for You
Your aptitude for a role isn’t solely dependent on your education or technical skills; although those do matter, there are some personality traits that can make you truly succeed in a certain area. Let’s dive into them.
One of the most well-known parts of tech is web development and with good reason. There’s lots of different jobs for web developers, such as front-end developer, back-end developer, and software developer.
Their main characteristics are:
Good communication skills
Patience
Strong attention to detail
Desire to learn
Logical approach
Creative problem solving skills
If web development seems to be the right fit for you, consider brushing up on some of the most in-demand skills of web developers: Java, web application development, software development, SQL, UI design, and HTML5.
Every company needs data analysts, no matter what they are dedicated to. Data analysts obtain data and convert it into useful information for the rest of the team through inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data. There’s a wide range of techniques used throughout data analysis, meaning that you’ll always have new things to learn.
Their main characteristics are:
Good with numbers
Familiar with databases and query languages
Good analytical skills
Able to work with deadlines
Good communication skills
Strong attention to detail
Critical thinking
Does data analysis sound like it’s right up your alley? Great news, data analysts are in high demand for 2023 and employers look for the following technical skills: statistics, data analysis, domain knowledge, data visualization, and creating dashboards and reports.
Even though it may seem more related to art, design is a key part of tech; if clients can’t figure out your website or code, you won’t be successful. And that’s where UX/UI designers come into play.
Their main characteristics are:
Good team working abilities
Empathy
Creative
Effective communication skills
Open to criticism and suggestions
Problem solving
Good listening skills
If UX/UI seems like it fits with your skillset, that’s fantastic news. Skilled UX/UI designers are in high demand across the world and have plenty of opportunities for growth and continuous learning.
Cybersecurity is probably the fastest growing sector of tech as cyberattacks and threats are increasing just as fast as our solutions. And cybersecurity professionals are in incredibly high demand as companies look for solutions to problems like malware, ransomware, and phishing.
Their main characteristics are:
Inquisitive
Strong attention to detail
Analytical
Ethical
Diligent
Tomorrow’s cybersecurity professionals will be tasked with a real challenge: protecting company and user data from cyberattacks and threats. Does it seem like a job for you?
No matter what role in tech you decide to choose, we’re sure that you’ll find the right fit. And if you’re unsure, check out our helpful bootcamp quiz to help make that decision for you.
