If you’re thinking about switching your job to something in the tech niche, now might be the best time for that.
The industry is no longer something that it was at the beginning, and today, you don’t need a degree to apply for a position as a data analyst or tester.
Instead, you’ll need some prior expertise, a strong willingness to learn, and the required skills.
Furthermore, you must be certain that an IT career is a good fit for you; otherwise, you may get bored fast.
In the article below, you’ll find everything you need to know to make an informed decision, including determining what you want to get out of a career in IT, talking to people who have the same job as you, choosing a specialization that matches your skills and qualities, researching training options, considering certifications, and more.
Read on, educate yourself on the subject – and make sure that this change is right for you.
What Do You Want Out of Your Career?
While this question may seem trivial, it’s actually one of the most important things you must consider before making any decisions.
Why do you want to switch careers? Perhaps you feel that your current job is unfulfilling, or maybe you’re looking for ways to express your creativity more – like digital marketing specialists at rogerwest.com.
Whatever the case may be, you should consider that your career change may be motivated by factors not necessarily relevant to the tech industry.
If you decide to follow the tech career path, you need to know how it can affect your life outside of work.
If your goal is to earn more money, you should know that IT jobs offer an average salary range between $50,000 and $75,000.
Keep in mind that this is not a guarantee since salaries are also dependent on many other factors, such as the position itself, array of responsibilities, and experience.
More importantly, remember that people in the tech niche often have to work long hours – sometimes up to 60 hours per week.
This is not only because of the short deadlines but also because of the nature of their work.
Software engineers can spend days figuring out why a function doesn’t work properly; testers have to test hundreds of bugs to make sure that everything works as it should, and data analysts need to go through countless spreadsheets to find trends that are invisible at first glance.
If you are thinking about making an IT career change, do so only if you are motivated by your personal interests and not because you believe it will bring more money.
If money is what drives you, it may not be enough to keep yourself motivated in the long run.
Talk to People Who Have the Same Job You Want to Apply to
When you decide to make a career switch, one of the first things you should do is talking to people who have the same job as you.
It doesn’t matter if they are an expert or a beginner; most likely, they will share some valuable insights regarding the industry in general and the position you want to apply to in particular.
This way, you will better understand what it takes to succeed in your new career and what kind of challenges you can expect.
Also, try asking them about their experiences and what they like and dislike about the job.
This will help you understand if this is something that you can and want to do and if this job matches your personality and goals.
And if it doesn’t – well, that’s ok too; it’s better to find out now than later.
Choose Your Speciality Carefully
Specialties in IT are as numerous as there are types of technology itself.
Some specialize in software development languages such as Java or C++, focus on testing and debugging, work as web developers, and develop hardware and firmware solutions.
Every year, new specializations appear and become popular.
Still, some remain relatively stable and non-competitive and require less specific knowledge or training, such as administrative positions or those requiring IT support.
Before choosing a specialization that matches your skills and personality traits, make sure that it really is what you want.
If you are not sure which one fits you best, don’t rush into anything; take your time weighing all the pros and cons before deciding.
It is essential to understand that computer science or programming is not a skill that everyone possesses.
So, if coding isn’t your thing, why waste your time on something you don’t enjoy? Instead of pursuing a career in IT, you may want to consider something else that suits your personality better.
It might not be as lucrative as a career as a software engineer or project manager, but at least you won’t be frustrated with your everyday tasks and avoid procrastination.
Take Online Courses and Certifications Very Seriously
In today’s world, digital literacy is a mandatory skill that everyone needs to have. And if you want to be a successful software developer or data analyst, knowing how to code is essential.
Taking online courses can help you learn some essential skills and acquire new ones – especially if they provide you with a certificate of completion at the end.
A digital certification can be very beneficial in your job search; after all, employers prefer candidates with prior education over those without it.
If possible, try achieving certifications in two programming languages – one for backend development and the other one for frontend development.
Furthermore, consider getting certified in SQL because it allows you to work with databases – an essential skill when dealing with big data. Lastly, don’t forget about the importance of cloud computing.
If possible, learn how to use Microsoft Azure or AWS (Amazon Web Services) as they are very common in the tech world today.
Research Training Options
If it seems like taking an online course is not enough for you, consider attending an IT boot camp instead.
This fast-track option helps professionals gain skills in specific areas of IT training in short periods of time – usually three months or less.
Boot camps are tailored specifically for high-performing students; therefore, they aren’t cheap (average cost is around $13,000), but they do provide quality education in an accelerated format.
Moreover, many offer money-back guarantees.
Alternatively, you can consider enrolling in an IT training program at a local community college or university.
These courses are usually less expensive than boot camps but take longer – usually between six months and two years.
You will learn more of the theoretical basics of computer science, but you will also get hands-on experience working with code.
In Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? If you think that this is the right career switch for you, take the necessary measures to make it happen.
Remember to consider all the options available to you, assess your skills and interests, and most importantly – always be open to feedback.
You will need to learn new skills, but they might not be as hard as you think.
If you are willing to put in the work, nothing stops you from making a career change to something that you enjoy.
Jonathon Spire
Latest posts by Jonathon Spire (see all)
- Followers and Likes 4 U Review 2024 – Is It a Scam? - April 24, 2024
- ViralTok Review 2024 – Is it a Scam? - April 24, 2024
- BuyLikes.net Review 2024 – Is BuyLikes.net a Scam? - April 24, 2024
