Companies require information technology (IT) to stay relevant in business and provide the client base with world-class products as well as services. As businesses find ways to utilize technology to their advantage, there is a demand for educated and skilled IT professionals. In this article, we shall discuss the varied ways of starting a career in information technology.
Advantages of Choosing IT
A career in technology is one that is unbound. From web development to product design and project management to the development of apps, the variety of jobs and possibilities in the tech sector is extensive. A career in IT offers a variety of advantages, which include the following:
Job stability: First and foremost, an IT job provides security due to the fact that there is a greater need for IT professionals who are skilled. In addition, IT jobs generally come with a pay rate that is in line with demand.
Opportunities for low-cost training: In many cases, individuals can gain relevant education in IT without a four-year college degree. This means that the cost of education for entry into IT can be significantly lower than other lucrative fields such as engineering or medicine.
Continuous evolution: Moreover, IT is constantly evolving due to the development of new technologies. This makes it an ideal choice for those who want to continue learning.
So Where Do You Begin
Here's how you can begin the journey of your IT career in just eight steps:
1. Research roles and positions
IT is a broad field that includes a wide range of specializations. Some of the popular roles include jobs like network administrator, systems administrator engineer, software developer, DevOps specialist among many others. Examining the positions and roles that are available will help you determine which ones are suitable to your current abilities, interests and goals.
2. Make an outline of possible positions
Once you've completed doing your preliminary research, make an outline of possible positions. With your ideal job in mind, you should continue to look into the necessary qualifications to be considered for the job you've selected. This way you can narrow in on your education as well as training to help you prepare for the job you'd like to land.
3. Learn how to code
HTML is typically the first language that coders learn since it's extremely common and fairly easy to learn without formal education. Other languages that you might be interested in mastering are JavaScript, Java, C++, Python and Ruby. These are considered to be more advanced and require more formal training. Instructional classes and courses are accessible online, making it much easier for everyone to access educational resources for popular coding techniques.
4. Take part in open-source projects
You can learn about code by creating or participating in open-source projects and sharing your expertise with other people. Not only will this increase your knowledge but it will also be a perfect mention in your portfolio as well as resume. To be a part of an open-source project, you should follow these guidelines:
Be familiar with open-source platforms. Open-source platforms are software that developers can utilize to help or begin new projects. Explore the most well-known open-source platforms and communities that developers can use.
Decide whether you would like to begin a new project or contribute. You can either create new projects of your own or participate in existing ones. Choose the ones that are most suitable for your level of expertise.
5. Inspire yourself for a study course
After you've made a decision on the path you want to take and have gained some work experience, you should enroll in a course of study to strengthen your candidature. This could mean attending a formal course in coding or enrolling in an associate or bachelor's degree course. The course you select will depend on the role you'd like to fulfill. For instance, software developers may only require a couple of courses or be able to pass a certification exam while an administrator of systems or a network engineer must take the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
6. Networking with IT professionals
Before you begin your IT career, look for ways to connect with other IT professionals. If you attend networking events where you're likely to meet your peers, it will improve your chances of receiving better job recommendations. Networking is beneficial because it enables you to receive particular consideration in a market that is competitive. It is possible to find out IT networking activities by looking up your local professional associations, business magazines as well as chambers of commerce. Establishing relationships with these organizations is a great opportunity to advance your career since you'll be able to connect with local people working in IT departments or companies that may have openings for employees.
7. Freelance to gain experience
After you've honed your relevant IT skills and built networks, you could typically gain experience through freelancing. It is a great method to get started in the industry because it lets you develop your skills and earn a profit for the work you do.
8. Prepare yourself to answer any technical questions
When you begin to attend interviews, you'll need to be ready to answer technical questions and, in certain instances, work on technical issues as well. Make sure you are prepared by researching the most popular IT interviews that require a high level of technical expertise. You can also work on solving problems, such as the use of algorithms and problem-solving code using your preferred language of coding.
Experts at HiCounselor always insist that the best way to land a job interview is to have a well-formatted resume that highlights the relevant skills and demonstrates achievements. However, do keep in mind that hiring managers will be reviewing hundreds of resumes. While a great resume will get you a job interview, how you answer the questions posed by hiring managers will ultimately determine if you land your dream job.
If you need personalized assistance in landing an interview and finally excelling at the different interview levels, HiCounselor can help you get started on the right track.
HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
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