Technology has proven to be a field that is filled with boundless possibilities, constantly evolving and deeply ingrained in our daily lives. It is safe to say that technology is not going out the window any time soon but would rather keep gaining its ground in leading daily transactions and business activities, and hence building a career in technology and innovation bookmarks you in the field of relevance. This implies that you would be irreplaceable and will always be required to achieve a task, whether working for an organization or being your own boss.
There is always a need for more hands in the technological field, propelled by the constantly changing technologies and increased demand from the general public. In this article, I will discuss how you can build a successful career in technology, whether it’s entering the tech space for newcomers, scaling up, or acquiring relevant tech skills to excel in your current role. The beauty of technology is that it spans across multidimensional fields.
Before we proceed further, I will answer an important question: No, you do not have to have a background in computer science to excel in the tech space.
While there are numerous approaches to forging a career in technology, here are four essential steps that will serve as your guiding light on the path to building a successful and thriving career in the dynamic realms of technology and innovation.
- Deciding the Route: To embark on your journey of building a career in tech, you must have an idea of your destination. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but you must know where you want to go. The technology field is vast, so consider exploring any of the major tech sectors such as Web Development, Mobile Development, Product Management, Technical Writing, UI/UX Designing, Product Design, Data Science, Data Analysis, Graphics Design, Motion Graphics, 3D Modeling and Animation, and Digital Marketing. While this may initially seem daunting, I find that the best map is discovering your passion and starting from there. Understanding what genuinely excites and motivates you is a fundamental prerequisite for your future in any tech field.
- Develop Your Technical Skills: The next major step involves acquiring the basic information needed for the chosen tech field. This is the point where many individuals drop off the journey of building careers in technology because challenges naturally arise. Let’s play a game: if you were to board a plane and the pilot admitted not knowing how to fly, would you stay for that flight? If you answered sincerely, the response would be no. In the same vein, you must take the time and effort to gain the fundamental skills and information about the tech field you desire to venture into. You can either self-learn (the internet is your friend) or enroll in a boot camp or training institute.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Returning to our analogy, let’s assume the pilot knows how to fly, you would consider staying on the plane right? However, if the pilot then confesses they have never flown before, you wouldn’t want to gamble with your life. This principle applies to tech as well. You must practice. It is the best way to grow and build your career. Get your hands dirty and start working. Join relevant tech communities and stay abreast of the latest trends, technologies, and programming languages relevant to your chosen field. Attend workshops, participate in hackathons, and engage in hands-on projects to refine your skills and gain practical experience.
- Build an Online Portfolio: We discussed this in our previous article, but it’s worth mentioning again as it showcases what you are capable of and builds your clients’ trust in your ability
At Eko Institute of Technology, we offer in-demand skills that ensure your success, accompanied by internship opportunities with partnering firms, facilitating a seamless transition into your chosen field. For more information, please refer to our homepage.
