Want a Job in Tech? Here Are 4 Tips to Get Started was originally published on Springboard.
Pursuing a career in tech is an exciting, ever-evolving journey with a myriad of benefits and opportunities for growth. The tech industry today spans more niches than ever before. From pet-tech to agriculture-tech to data-heavy warehouses, the impact software has on our lives has expanded like never before.
For those who are considering a career in technology (or a tech-adjacent industry), figuring out the perfect career fit can be a bit overwhelming—and understandably so! There are many factors that go into pursuing a role in tech: candidates must consider both hard and soft skills when deciding which job will be most fulfilling in the long run. Behind the scenes of any company that builds software are different teams hard at work bringing a product or service to life.
Depending on your aptitude for analytical challenges, project management, or more aesthetic aspects of a product (such as marketing or design), there are many tech careers to choose from. To help you get started, we’ve put together a few tips—and a specialized test—that makes it easier for you to narrow down your interests and find the perfect career match.
Tip 1: Get to know yourself
Taking personality tests and assessments online that are more focused on understanding what your values, interests, and strengths are is a great way to kick off your search. If you’re feeling stuck in the day-to-day of your current career, consider what factors you enjoy about your work—and what duties or assignments you find less interesting. A great way of learning a little bit more about yourself is taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test, which helps narrow down your interests based on your personality type.
Tip 2: Speak with mentors and friends in the industry
The best way to truly understand the ins and outs of working in a certain role is speaking with someone who has direct experience! Speaking with a mentor—such as someone who has a management role in your dream career—is an excellent way of learning the tips and tricks of the trade that will be imperative to you landing that dream job in the future.
Tip 3: Leave no digital stone unturned
The internet is your best friend! Thousands of blogs and guides have been written by experts about what it’s like to have a certain role at different kinds of tech companies. We’ve compiled a few of our own examples that outline different ways to get a job in tech—even without a degree in the field.
Tip 4: Take a career assessment test
Once you’ve done a little bit of research, you’ll be well-equipped to take Springboard’s Career Assessment Test.
We’ve translated our experience with helping students transition into tech careers—as well as advice from our subject matter experts and mentors plus data from our 3,000+ students—into a test you can complete in just fifteen minutes.
This free assessment guides you through a series of multiple-choice questions (no typing needed!) and ultimately recommends potential career paths based on your responses to questions that help you showcase your skills, both technical and personal. You’ll also answer a few questions that give context into your educational background and current career experience, so the results you get will actually be relevant as they’ll be targeted towards you and reflect your unique journey and personality.
Springboard designed the Career Assessment Test especially for people who are:
- Interested in a role in tech
- Looking to make a career transition
- Seeking custom results and next steps for how to transitions their careers
Learn more and take the test here!
The post Want a Job in Tech? Here Are 4 Tips to Get Started appeared first on Springboard Blog.
