Is Technology a Good Career Path?

Why Is Technology a Good Career Path?

Thanks to more people than ever using mobile devices and the Internet, we are experiencing a tech explosion. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that overall employment in information technology and computer positions will grow 15 percent between 2021 and 2031. This increase is markedly faster than the average for all other non-tech occupations.

This explosive growth means we will see over 680,000 new tech jobs during those ten years. Furthermore, over 400,000 new openings will be spurred by growth and worker replacement needs. Moreover, technology is wildly popular and shows no sign of slowing down! The Bureau's report says that demand is rising because of growing interest in cloud computing, data gathering and storage, and information security. These heightened demands will ensure a long, secure career in technology.

So yes, technology is a good career option. So how do you begin?

Building a Technology Career Path

If you’re set on building a technology career, you must begin with a solid foundation. In this case, the foundation has three parts: your desire, motivation, and goal.

First off, define what you want. What do you want to become, and what parameters will you use to tell you that you made it?

Secondly, decide what motivates you and gives you the dedication to do your job or meet your goals. And speaking of goals:

Lastly, determine your goal. If you decide on your goal, you will better understand why you're doing something and what direction you should take.

So, 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.

The Tech Job Market

So, is the tech job market healthy? Well, from January to May of 2022, tech employment in the United States grew by 106,700 positions, according to data presented by CompTIA, a well-respected trade group in the IT industry. But newly created positions only tell part of the story. Some employers could be scrambling to fill IT job openings since 72 percent of tech workers surveyed in fall 2021 by TalentLMS and Workable were considering leaving their jobs or looking at new career opportunities within the following year. So perhaps the Great Resignation isn't entirely over after all!

So, when you combine rising demand and the possible exit of a noticeable number of employees, candidates with tech knowledge and experience who want a tech career might find it easy to meet their goals.

Tech Career Diversity

Technology has traditionally been a non-inclusive and homogenous industry. People of color and women lack representation, but that's changing rapidly. Diversity brings more perspectives to the industry, which is a good thing. A diverse workforce allows companies to interact with and build better relationships with more clients and customers.

Types of Careers Found in Tech

Speaking of diversity, the tech field has a broad selection of careers.

Systems Administrator

System administrators monitor system performance, troubleshoot problems, and are responsible for IT systems' overall secure and efficient operation.

Data Scientist

Data scientists analyze, model, and process data into actionable plans for companies.

Software Developer

Software developers create apps and software.

IT Support Specialist

An IT support specialist troubleshoots computer problems and helps users.

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.

Web Developer

Web developers design and launch web pages and websites.

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.

Database Administrator

Database administrators oversee a company’s database, including access, security, data storage, etc.

Blockchain/Cryprto Developer

Blockchains and the related cryptocurrencies we all know about are the latest hot developments in data storage and transaction processing. Blockchain software developers create applications on existing blockchain platforms, including front-end and back-end development, design, and maintenance.

Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrency developers specialize in coding languages such as C#, Node.js, Java, PHP, and others. These languages are, in turn, used in APIs that connect different web services and mobile apps with cryptocurrency blockchains.

Medical Technology Career Path

Aspiring medical technology professionals need good problem-solving and analytical skills. They must also be detail-oriented and work well under pressure. A medical technology professional should start as a technician and become a developer.

How to Start a Career in Technology

Although it seems like an intimidating task, you can easily take the first few steps to start a rewarding career in technology. Just follow these steps:

• Build skills: We will explore the core skills later, but you must gather a robust collection of tech-related skills, such as programming languages.
• 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!
• Start programming as soon as you can: Coding is a valuable skill, prized in a diverse and wide selection of industries.
• Apply for tech positions: Take what you learned and prepared for and put yourself out there.

Fastest Growing Careers in Technology

Not all tech careers grow at the same pace. Here are the current hot fields:

• Cybersecurity: There are more cyber threats than ever, so the industry needs qualified professionals to protect tech assets.
• 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.
• Data Science: 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Exploring Women’s Career Paths in Technology

It’s no secret that women lag in representation in the tech field. Although women comprise almost half of the workforce in the United States, they only account for about 25% of the occupations involving math and computers. This disparity is exacerbated by workplace discrimination, a gender-based pay gap, and fewer women pursuing STEM degrees.

Things are changing, but the progress is slow. Here are some reasons why software development is a good choice for women.

Core Tech Skills Required

The tech field requires a delicate mix of hard and soft skills. Here is a typical skill breakdown:

Hard Skills

• Cybersecurity
• Data analysis
• Programming
• Software development

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical skills
• Creative thinking
• Decision-making
• Problem-solving

The Future of Tech Careers

Technology keeps growing and changing rapidly, and the professional who wants to stay ahead of the curve must adapt accordingly. Tech professionals must stay current and expand their skill set, learn new coding languages, work on higher cognitive skills like critical thinking or writing, and sharpen their soft skills.

The future heralds ever-growing trends such as automation and home offices (e.g., freelancers and consultants). Savvy tech professionals would do well to stay informed of advances in automation and sharpen their at-home work ethic.

High-Paying Careers

If you’re still wondering if technology is a good career path, the following roles offer some of the highest salaries in the industry. Note that any salary figures you see can fluctuate and vary according to region, experience level, and state of the economy.

• AI engineers
• Cloud architects
• Data scientists

• DevOps engineers
• Full-stack developers
• Information systems security managers
• Internet of Things (IoT) solutions architects
• Web developers

Average Tech Salaries

As a rule, tech jobs pay considerably more than their non-tech counterparts. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the median annual salary for computer and IT-related jobs in May 2023 was $104,420.

Dice, the tech career marketplace, reported that the average tech salary in the U.S. in 2021 reached a record-high $104,566. This figure represented a 6.9% increase from 2020. And according to Dice’s 2022 Tech Salary report, these tech occupations saw the fastest-growing annual salaries from 2020 to 2021:

• Database administrator: 2.4% to $111,362
• Data analyst: 11.5% to $84,779
• Software developer: 8% to $120,204
• Technical support engineer: 12.4% to $77,169
• Web developer: 21.3% to $98,912

Entry-Level Tech Jobs

Although many employers would rather hire workers with a degree, some may take a chance on entry-level workers who don’t have degrees or even any tech experience. After all, work experience is a great way to learn new skills, an on-the-job training scenario. These jobs include:

• App developer
• Computer technician
• Data entry specialist
• Help desk specialist
• Technical writer

The Pros and Cons of Tech Careers

Like any other field, technology has its advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a brief sketch of some upsides and downsides.

Pros:

• Fast pace: Say what you will about the field; it's not dull!
• Flexibility: The tech field is conducive to adjusting conditions to accommodate its staff.
• High interest: The world is obsessed with technology today, which means more job opportunities and better job security.
• Variety: There are many options available.

Cons:

• Constant learning: Tech innovations never stop, so tech professionals must keep current or get left behind.
• Job uncertainty: The tech field is volatile, and things can change quickly. Startups collapse, industry layoffs happen, and particular tech becomes obsolete.
• Stress: Put the first two listed cons together, and you have a recipe for stress!

Do You Want to Foster Strong Tech Career Skills?

At last, we come to the finish, and we end with two fantastic opportunities for you to not only gain certification but also learn valuable tech skills that will carry you far.

Simplilearn’s Professional Certificate Program in Blockchain is a four-month collaboration with IIT Kanpur. This course offers a high-engagement learning experience that covers real-world blockchain applications in fintech, healthcare, supply chain management, and more. You begin with the fundamentals and then cover all the technical and functional aspects needed to create any blockchain solution with the best tools and techniques in the industry. Additionally, you will learn how to build smart contracts and bitcoin wallets, create transactions, fabricode, and more.

And the ITIL 4 Specialist: Create, Deliver and Support certification course teaches you how to create, deliver, and support IT-enabled products and services using ITIL® 4 CDS Specialist certification. This specialist training course helps you understand service performance, quality, and improvement, including appropriate methods and tools.

These are just two of the valuable tech courses that Simplilearn offers. So visit Simplilearn today, and get started on a solid tech path to help secure that dream career!