Is Technology A Good Career Path? [Guide]
Is Technology A Good Career Path? [Guide]. Starting a technology career requires introspection and planning for the future. Choose your path, why you’ve chosen it, and decide how you will walk it. Technology is a good or maybe even great career and the industry’s generous pay makes tech an even more attractive field.
Technology is one of the driving forces in the world today, and naturally, a career in tech promises to be exciting, albeit one marked with so much change that it keeps you on your toes throughout. If you’re set on building a technology career, you must begin with a solid foundation. Here, the foundation has three parts: your desire, motivation, and goal.
- Define what you want. What do you want to become, and what parameters will you use to tell you that you made it?
- Decide what motivates you and gives you the dedication to do your job or meet your goals. And speaking of goals:
- Determine your goal. If you decide on your goal, you will better understand why you’re doing something and what direction you should take.
The demand for Technology jobs is rising due to growth in information security, cloud computing, and data gathering and storage. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the number of computer and IT jobs will rise 13% from 2020 to 2030, which outpaces the average for all occupations. The U.S. will add an estimated 667,600 computer and IT positions during that period.
Types of Careers Found in Technology
- IT Support Specialist: An IT support specialist troubleshoots computer problems and helps users.
- Quality Assurance Tester: A QA tester tries to break software or websites by conducting manual or automated tests that put the website or software through every conceivable scenario to find if and where they malfunction.
- Computer network architect: Computer network architects design, create and maintain data communication networks, everything from substantial cloud infrastructures to smaller in-house intranets.
- Information Security Analyst: These analysts develop and execute security measures to defend a company’s computer networks and systems.
- Systems Administrator: System administrators monitor system performance, troubleshoot problems, and are responsible for IT systems’ overall secure and efficient operation.
- Database Administrator: Database administrators oversee a company’s database, including access, security, data storage, etc.
- Data Scientist: Data scientists analyze, model, and process data into actionable plans for companies.
- Software Developer: Software developers create apps and software.
- Web Developer: Web developers design and launch web pages and websites.
How to Start a Career in Technology
Although it seems like an intimidating task, you can easily take the first few steps in starting a rewarding career in the field of technology. Just follow these steps:
1. Build skills:
It is good to remind yourself at this stage that everything counts. Learning SQL to build a website using WordPress helps build on handy skills to hone later.
2. Get certified:
Industry certifications aren’t mandatory, but they are an excellent way to verify your expertise to recruiters. Besides, these certifications typically teach valuable skills, which goes to the first point. These provide a foundation for your career and assure employers that you have the skills they need.
3. Start programming as soon as you can:
Coding is a valuable skill, prized in a diverse and wide selection of industries. Apart from arming you with a valuable skillset that will keep you employable throughout your career, it opens up many more avenues of growth. You don’t have to focus on learning multiple languages. Start with one and focus on the logic of the algorithms, and you are good to go.
4. Apply for tech positions:
Take what you learned, and prepared for and put yourself out there.
What Do Tech Jobs Pay?
Tech jobs generally pay far more than typical jobs do. The median annual pay for computer and IT jobs is about $97,430.
- Technical support engineer: $77,169 per year.
- Software developer: $120,204 per year.
- Data analyst: $84,779 per year.
- Web developer: $98,912 per year.
- Database administrator: $111,362 per year.
Reasons Why Technology is the Best Career Path
1. Flexible Career
A huge reason why the pandemic had the least impact on the tech sector is because of the flexibility tech careers offer. Thanks to the latest technologies such as video conferencing and cloud storage, the work conditions of tech professionals have become highly flexible. Remote work, which became widely popular due to the pandemic, is quite common in the tech industry.
2. Facilitates Growth
An ideal career would foster your personal growth along with your professional progress. It will enable you to develop as a person, instead of simply making you fret about your office and your boss. In the tech sector, you’d have to work on yourself constantly. That’s because you’ll have to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and develop the necessary skills to get ahead in this industry.
3. Numerous Options
There is something for everyone in the tech industry. If you’re a person who likes to work with numbers, you can become a data scientist. On the other hand, if you are interested in arts and communication, you can pursue a career in digital marketing. The technology sector offers variety, which is another reason why it’s worth entering.
4. Optimistic Culture
When you’re developing products quickly and innovating accordingly, you don’t have time to stay gloomy. That’s a big reason why the tech sector oozes optimism. It’s responsible for the current startup culture we have. Many people start a career in this field because they want to make a lasting impact. Being around people like this changes you as it positively impacts your performance, behavior, and outlook towards work.
5. Attractive Pay
For anyone aiming to earn a six or seven-figure salary package, technology is the perfect career choice. The tech sector houses some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and others. These companies are always looking for talent and thus, pay handsomely to those who fit their criteria. The demand for tech professionals is sky-rocketing because the industry is booming. When the demand is high, companies offer high salaries to their professionals. For example, a data science manager makes $137,242 per year on average. Their pay can go up to $180,000 per year with experience and skills.
6. New Challenges
The tech sector is famous for offering new challenges constantly. As a tech professional, you’d always be on your toes, preparing for various issues while solving the existing ones. Technology professionals have to solve a wide range of complex problems while developing innovative solutions that best match an organization’s requirements. Facing new problems can serve as a learning curve for you.
7. Meritocracy
Many work environments prioritize seniority or age over merit. You won’t find that in the tech sector. That’s because companies in this industry care a lot about their results. Tech companies prioritize their efforts over other factors. The chances of finding a company that values your work over your age are higher in the technology sector than in any other. There are countless examples where companies ignored conventions in the technology industry.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology Careers
Cons of Tech Careers
- Constant learning.
- Job uncertainty.
- Stress.
Pros of Tech Careers
- Flexibility.
- Fast pace.
- Variety.
What Are the Careers Paths in Technology?
Here are the best information technology careers you can follow.
1. Web Developer
Web developers are coders. Different from doing software, they build online platforms, websites, or apps. They can be front-end developers, using coding languages such as:
- Java Script
- JQuery.
- HTML
- CSS.
The back-end developers use code languages like:
- Java
- Ruby
- Python.
- Ruby on Rails.
- .Net
- PHP
- Golang
- C#
The most popular front-end professionals are:
- Web Designer
- UI/UX Designer.
- Front End Developer
- Front end Designer.
The most popular back-end professions are:
- Java Developer
- Software Developer.
- Back-end Developer.
2. Data Scientist
The data scientist is at the top of the list, a job that Harvard Business Review (HBR) ranked as the 21st century’s sexiest job. With most candidates possessing Ph.D.’s or master’s degrees, data scientist managers can earn up to $250,000 a year.
3. Information Technology
These generally range from system managers to CIOs or CTOs and manage an organization’s technology needs. Employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in computers along with an MBA for these roles. With such a plethora of opportunities, one would think the answer to “is technology a good career path?” is undoubted yes.
4. Systems Administrator
A systems administrator is responsible for the efficient and secure operation of information technology (IT) systems. They also monitor system performance and troubleshoot problems. Systems administrators typically work with a team of other IT professionals to ensure the smooth running of the organization’s IT infrastructure.
5. Information Technology Manager
Information Technology Managers are responsible for the overall operation of the organization’s IT department, which can include everything from budgeting and staffing to developing and implementing technology solutions. They ensure that the information technology infrastructure meets the needs of the organization and develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective use of information technology.
6. Network Administrator
Network administrators are responsible for the maintenance and security of a computer network. They ensure that all traffic passing through the network is safe and secure, all users have the necessary permissions to access the network, and all devices connected to the network are properly configured.
7. Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts are responsible for protecting data and systems from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. They work in a variety of industries, including government, business, and education. Information security analysts typically have a degree in information technology or a related field.
8. Computer Research Science
This field requires highly qualified candidates with a Ph.D., so while the competition is intense for the few who make it, it is a gateway to a gratifying career. Computer research scientists work on algorithms to enhance the efficiency of machines or analyze business data.
9. The Medical Technology Career Path
Aspiring medical technology professionals need good problem-solving and analytical skills. These professionals must be detail-oriented and work well under pressure. In addition, these professionals must be detail-oriented and work well under pressure. A medical technology professional should start as a technician and work up to a developer position.
10. Information Security
With the number of data records breached & the costs associated with themgoing up astronomically every year, information security or cybersecurity professionals are becoming highly valued members of any organization.
Core Technology Skills Required In the Career
The Technological field requires a delicate mix of hard and soft skills. Here is a typical skill breakdown:
Soft Skills
- Creative thinking.
- Decision-making.
- Adaptability.
- Analytical skills.
- Problem-solving.
Hard Skills
- Programming.
- Software development.
- Cybersecurity.
- Data analysis.
What Are the Fastest Growing Careers in Technology?
1. Data Scientists:
There’s a tidal wave of data out there, and only so many people available to make sense of all that raw information and turn it into actionable assets.
2. Database Administrators:
Since there’s so much data available today, there’s a demand for professionals who can maintain database environments to handle issues such as data storage.
3. Cybersecurity:
There are more cyber threats than ever, so the industry needs qualified professionals to protect tech assets.
4. Web Development:
Thanks to more significant online usage by an increasing number of people, the industry needs more people to design websites. This demand includes front-end, back-end, and full-stack developers.
5. AI and ML Engineers:
The tech industry is making exciting strides in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Consequently, the industry needs more engineers to aid in automation.
Recommendation
- What are Soft Skills? The Importance of Soft Skills.
- What Do Technology Jobs Pay? | How Much Money Do You Make In Technology.
- What Companies Are In The Technology Field? | Top 20 Technology Companies.
- How Many Jobs Are Available In Technology In USA?
