There is a reason why everyone’s singing praises about having a career in technology. Not only is it a lucrative field, but it is also one that is continuing to pave the way for various innovations that have greatly benefited our lives. 

On top of that, the industry will only continue to expand. In fact, 13 out of the 15 most promising careers featured in the LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report are in the tech sector. This goes to show that there is room for everybody in this robust industry. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has shed some light on how resilient the tech industry is. While other sectors suffered immensely during these turbulent times, tech companies continue to thrive and in some cases, have even expanded their operations. 

As the world recovers from the devastating impacts of COVID-19, we can observe a lot of changes that are manifesting themselves as the new norms. This includes the flexibility offered by today’s tech employees. 

A lot of big names like Amazon and Google have begun to offer remote working as a permanent option because such flexibility is highly sought after by tech talent. Therefore, it is possible for you to enjoy the same perks when venturing into this sector.

There isn’t a better time for you to make a career transition than now. Read on as we reveal how you can join one of the most thriving fields today and subsequently future-proof your career.

How To Kickstart a Tech Career

Now that we have got your attention, it is time to lay down the step-by-step guide into landing a successful career in technology:

Step1: Pick a Niche

The first thing you should do is find a tech specialization that you’d want to explore. Lucky for you, there are many to pick from: web development, artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, quality assurance engineer, among others.

Before deciding, you should consider several factors like income prospects, additional perks, job opportunities and your own personal career goals. It is also crucial that your interests align with the job that you’re pursuing because you are then more likely to persevere and push through if you ever face some hurdles on your journey.

For instance, if you have a knack for math and you enjoy arranging things in an organized manner, a career in data science might suit you well. On the other hand, if you want to pursue your love for art in the tech industry, web design could be the role you’ve been looking for. At the same time, if you want a career in technology but you don’t enjoy coding, you can always become a solutions expert or SaaS salesperson.

You can also go on job support websites to learn more about certain tech roles or take a career quiz like the one offered by Career Karma. 

Step 2: Get the Right Education

Once you have made a decision, the next step would be to find out if you are qualified to apply for the role of your dreams. You can start by reassessing the skills that you currently have in your toolbox. 

For example, if you currently make a living as a marketing executive, you basically have the knowledge to understand what makes people tick—which is a highly in-demand skill across all sectors. You can easily jump into any tech roles that involve customer behavior analysis such as user experience (UX) design, digital marketing or software sales.

However, if you have to start from scratch, don’t worry because there are a lot of accelerated programs available that can prepare you to be job-ready in less than one year. We are talking about coding bootcamps, which are fast-paced programs meant to teach students the fundamentals of a subject by using industry-approved courses.

The best part about coding bootcamps is that they are also a lot less expensive than traditional college degrees and most of them offer a slew of financing options such as Income Share Agreements and deferred payment plans. 

Since they are designed to fill in the gaps in the industry, a majority of these bootcamps provide mentorships and career services to all of their students. If you enroll in the right one, you’ll even get a money-back guarantee if you don’t succeed in finding a job within a certain period post-graduation. 

Step 3: Start Applying

Now that we have shared some tips for you to start a career in tech, all you have to do is start looking for a job. With the connectivity we enjoy today, don’t be afraid to embark on remote opportunities if they can offer better perks for you. You should not let your physical location confine your options. If relocation is possible, you can even try applying for tech positions on the other side of the world. 

You can also start establishing your online presence by creating accounts on job search sites, including LinkedIn. Expand your connections and who knows, they might be able to link you to a thrilling, new opportunity. 

In the meantime, it is advisable that you practice new skills that you have learned—especially technical ones—to help refine your craft further. Good luck!