Tech and IT are among the most quickly advancing industries in the world today, which means there is a considerable amount of competition when it comes to the positions available within these fields. With some of the highest wages and greatest opportunities for career progression throughout any industry, it’s no wonder that so many people want to take up a job in AI, automation, computing and other digital specialisms. In this article, we’ll look at the steps you can take in order to bag yourself your dream job within tech and IT.
Get the Right Qualifications
It’s a good idea to aim for a relevant undergraduate degree from a high-ranking college or university in order to start your career in tech – but it’s worth noting that many other candidates will follow this same route. To really stand out, you’ll need to work hard and achieve a great qualification – and you might then wish to pursue a postgrad after initially graduating. Private student loans are available to help you with the costs involved in attaining both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
Network
Within any industry, the most successful people are the ones with the right contacts. Always be on the lookout for talented peers, colleagues and industry experts to rub shoulders with. You should start making connections as soon as you begin your studies and always keep your eye out for ways to grow your circle. Create a LinkedIn page and attend as many relevant events as possible. You’ll soon find yourself in the midst of the right crowd.
Specialize
Tech firms are always looking for experts. If you’re pretty well versed in a variety of different practices, that’s great – and you’d be an asset to any team – but in order to really climb the ladder, you may need to have an in-depth knowledge of a specific and valuable area. Study everything about your chosen subject and follow all of the latest relevant developments, and you’ll eventually be the person that others go to for advice and guidance. In turn, this will make you a highly desirable worker and colleague.
Go Your Own Way
In many competitive industries, the way to get your big break is to start working for yourself. Be sure that you understand your field inside and out – and that there is a demand for your specialisms – before you start advertising your services. Once you’ve been providing these services for a while, you might consider applying to other companies – after all, working for yourself in a specialist industry can look very impressive on a CV. Alternatively, you may find that business is booming and you’re better off sticking with the company you built.
Don’t Get Cocky
You may be great at what you do – but so are many other people in your industry. Just because you’re working hard and performing well, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be promoted into your dream position within six months. Keep working diligently and building on your knowledge and expertise. Be a good employee and a colleague who is pleasant to work with. Eventually, everything will fall into place.
