If you enjoy working with technology and solving problems, you may want to consider a career in the information technology (IT) industry. As technology advances, businesses continue to have a high demand for IT experts who can use their technical skills and abilities to create products, manage data or improve processes. Knowing more about how you can build your IT skills can help you enter this profession successfully.In this article, we describe how to start a career in IT and provide a list of career paths you can pursue in this field.
Here are some steps you can take to start a career in IT successfully:
The IT field is a diverse industry with many specialties. Some of these include positions like systems administrator, network engineer, software developer and development operations (DevOps) specialist. Researching the roles and positions available in IT can help you understand which one might be a good fit for your existing skills, interests and career goals.
When you’ve finished your initial research, create a short list of potential jobs. With your ideal jobs in mind, continue to research the qualifications for the roles you choose. By doing this, you can focus your education and training to better prepare you for your desired positions.ÂAlso, be sure to pay attention to overall trends for certain job postings. For example, if you notice a position requires experience with a specific programming language, you can learn that language to prepare for the role.
The web programming language HTML is often the first coding language people learn because it applies to various areas of IT. Use online resources, such as classes or videos, to help you learn HTML independently. Once you’re comfortable using HTML, other languages you may want to consider learning include:
These advanced languages may require more formal training. Search for classes and tutorials online to access educational resources. Often, you can find online coding resources for free.
You can gain experience with coding by creating or contributing to open-source projects and sharing your knowledge with others. This experience helps you build your technical skill set. You can also include open-source projects in your resume and work portfolio to show potential employers. To contribute to an open-source project, follow these tips:
Once you’ve decided on a career path and gained some experience, consider completing formal education to refine your skills. This education could involve taking a formal coding course or enrolling in a college degree program. What you choose depends on the role you want to have and how soon you want to start working. For example, a website developer may take online courses or earn a certification to prove their proficiency. In contrast, many employers may require a systems administrator to have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, such as information systems.ÂIf you have a degree in an area other than technology, you can still use your education as an asset when describing your qualifications for IT jobs. A degree in communications, for example, can be useful for explaining complex technical concepts to others. When applying for jobs, highlight the relevant hard and soft skills you’ve learned through education to show employers how they apply to IT work.
Another way to educate yourself on IT concepts is to earn a certification. Search online to find a certification program that aligns with your career goals and the skills you want to learn. Some popular certifications in the IT industry include:
These certifications are among the most useful tools for proving you have the necessary skills for IT jobs. Many programs allow you to earn a certification even if you don’t have a degree.
Find opportunities to network with others in the IT industry. By attending industry networking events, you increase your chances of building professional relationships. These relationships may help you learn new skills, discover open positions and even get job referrals. These referrals can be valuable because they can help you obtain special consideration in a competitive field. You can often find IT networking events through the following sources:
Once you’ve worked on your applicable IT skills and developed your professional network, you can gain relevant experience by freelancing. For instance, if you want to work in software development, you can offer freelance development services to clients. Research popular freelancing platforms, such as Fiverr, Toptal and Upwork, to find one you can use. Freelancing is a good way to enter the IT field because it allows you to gain work experience while also getting paid for your work.
Once you start getting job interviews, you can prepare to answer technical questions and, in some cases, solve technical problems. Prepare for your interview by researching popular IT interview questions that are highly technical to test your capabilities. You can also practice solving problems, including algorithms and fixing code in your preferred coding language.ÂSome popular IT interview questions include:
Choosing a career in IT offers numerous paths, with many jobs available. Here are some potential career paths you can consider in this field: