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In fact, "While there have been hundreds of highly publicized layoffs among tech companies, the vast majority of employees being fired are not in IT positions, according to industry analysts. In fact, there remains a dearth in tech talent to fill more than 145,000 IT job openings." (1)
And CNBC reports that "In the past 12 months, 78% of managers say they’re planning to increase their budget and headcount toward IT hiring in 2023 to be able to meet increasing digital demands..."
The Bureau of Labor Statistics agrees. Employment in IT is projected to grow 15% over the next decade. To put this in perspective, the annual growth rate for all occupations is only between 5% to 8%.
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How Do I Get Started With a Second Career?
Switching careers to tech is a career path many have taken before you.
According to CNBC, "92% of new tech workers reported they were happier with their jobs since making the career change."
When you first started working, perhaps you accepted whatever job you could find. However, at some point, many individuals get serious about their jobs and switch careers into a new job that better suits their personality and natural talents.
Career changers are often working professionals who consider that different careers might better suit their skill set and passions. And they make informed decisions to move into more lucrative careers that suit their passions and pocketbook!
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What Are You Looking For?
So if you want to be a part of the tech careers explosion, start by considering what you're looking for in your career.
- Why are you considering changing careers? Be sure it's not just a work-life balance problem at your current job that you could quickly correct by taking a new position in the same field.
- Do you have an interest in anything related to tech? Have you used a programming language or tried coding before? Maybe you have the desire to make websites look better or create websites that respond quickly and have an easily navigable design? Consider why you're interested in tech by joining a tech meetup group in your area. Talk with others in your possible field to find your niche. Not everyone will enjoy tech positions, so look at a desired role closely and talk with mentors before making a career change.
- Do you have any experience in tech? Usually, it makes sense to take a couple of online courses while keeping your current job to make a smooth transition. You also want to ensure you're choosing the right tech field by honing your search with some experience.
- You can also learn what hiring managers look for in the tech industry by checking job descriptions online.
Let's look at some hot careers in tech that you can transition into using a combination of past experience, online classes to learn required skills, and hands-on experience.
Career Options at Tech Companies
Many a job hunt starts with an assessment of your transferable skills. These are the things you are already good at that you may leverage into your new career!
For example, suppose you already work as a project manager and understand computers fairly well. In that case, you might land a tech assistant project management position to get your foot in the tech industry door.
Or if you work at Best Buy selling computers but love watching the "Geek Squad" do their thing, perhaps you could learn some skills online and apply to a help desk analyst or PC technician role! Working in a computer-related field can look good when you apply for a tech position.
However, it's not necessary to work in tech to transition into tech. And it's not necessary to earn a bachelor's degree either! Often, a few online courses and some networking can help you get your foot in the door.
According to Robert Half International, the most accessible IT jobs to start off with include:
- Help desk analyst
- PC technician
- Computer operator
- Software developer
- Cybersecurity technician
- Front-end web developer
- Quality assurance (QA) analyst
- Database developer
If you work at a large company, you may be able to talk with human resources about your goals. Your place of business may even cover the cost of your education if you plan to stay and fill a role there when you finish learning.
At Unmudl, our business partners will often cover the cost of a course of study for your career change objectives!
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