Want a Job in the Tech Industry? 4 Tips to Get Started

Pursuing a career in tech is an exciting, ever-evolving journey with a myriad of benefits and opportunities for growth. The tech industry today spans more niches than ever before. From pet-tech to agriculture-tech to data-heavy warehouses, the impact Silicon Valley and Big Tech has on our lives has expanded like never before. For those who are considering a career in technology (or a tech-adjacent industry), figuring out the perfect career fit can be a bit overwhelming—and understandably so!

There are many factors that go into pursuing a role in tech: candidates must consider both hard and soft skills when deciding which job will be most fulfilling in the long run. Behind the scenes of any company that builds software are different teams hard at work bringing a product or service to life.

Depending on your aptitude for analytical challenges, project management, or more aesthetic aspects of a product (such as marketing or design), there are many computer science and tech careers to choose from, from software developer and web developer to computer programmer, data scientist, product manager, and database administrator.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a few tips—and a specialized test—that makes it easier for you to narrow down your interests and find the perfect tech job (with or without a bachelor’s degree!)

Tip 1: Get to know yourself

Taking personality tests and assessments online that are more focused on understanding what your values, interests, and strengths are is a great way to kick off your search. If you’re feeling stuck in the day-to-day of your current career, consider what factors you enjoy about your work—and what duties or assignments you find less interesting. A great way of learning a little bit more about yourself is taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test, which helps narrow down your interests based on your personality type. 

Learn more about the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and what tech careers are best suited to each personality type here.

Tip 2: Speak with mentors and industry experts

The best way to truly understand the ins and outs of the tech world speaking with someone who has direct experience! Speaking with a mentor—such as someone who has a management role in your dream career—or industry expert is an excellent way of learning the tips and tricks of the trade that will be imperative to you landing that dream job in the future.

Remember: Springboard’s Career Tracks offer 1:1 mentorship support as you learn in tandem to the course curriculum, making it easy for students to gain additional guidance on top of technical skills like programming languages, problem-solving skills, and product management skills.

Tip 3: Leave no digital stone unturned

The internet is your best friend! Thousands of blogs and guides have been written by experts about what it’s like to have different roles at various kinds of tech companies.

We’ve compiled a few of our own examples that outline different ways to get technology jobs—even without a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree.

Tip 4: Take a career assessment test

Once you’ve done a little bit of research, you’ll be well-equipped to take Springboard’s Career Assessment Test.

We’ve translated our experience with helping students transition into tech careers—as well as advice from our subject matter experts and mentors plus data from our 3,000+ students—into a user experience-friendly test you can complete in just fifteen minutes. 

This free assessment guides you through a series of multiple-choice questions (no typing needed!) and ultimately recommends potential career paths based on your responses to questions that help you showcase your skills, both technical and personal. You’ll also answer a few questions that give context into your educational background and current career experience, so the results you get will actually be relevant as they’ll be targeted towards you and reflect your unique journey and personality.

Springboard designed the Career Assessment Test especially for people who are:

• Interested in a role in tech
• Looking to make a career transition
• Seeking custom results and next steps for how to transitions their careers

Learn more and take the test here!

Since you’re here…
Curious about a career in tech sales? Learn more with our tech sales career guide, or dive right in with our Tech Sales Bootcamp. We’ll help you seamlessly switch careers in a matter of months, or your tuition money back. See our student success stories for inspiration – people are changing careers with us every day!