Traditionally, many white-collar jobs – including those in the technology sector – have required post-secondary degrees. However, in today’s job market, employers are increasingly moving away from degree requirements when hiring.
The unemployment rate in the tech sector has been historically low and employers have long struggled to fill open roles. Recent technological advances – in particular, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) – have created a skills gap, with few workers possessing the knowledge needed to work with that technology. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic spurred the ubiquity of technology. Tech is now key in virtually every sector including education, health care, finance, hospitality, and commerce. As a result, the difficulty in filling open tech roles has intensified. Employers need new strategies to find skilled tech workers.
While reskilling and upskilling existing staff can help address the skills gap, there’s still a general shortage of tech talent. In fact, the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that America will face a shortage of 1.2 million tech workers by 2026.
While solutions could involve creating more STEM classes for America’s students or streamlining the immigration process for global tech talent, a more immediate solution is rethinking the qualifications required of job candidates. After all, if a candidate is skilled at coding, does it matter how they acquired those skills? Is a college degree really necessary?
Increasingly, employers are saying, “No. A degree is not necessary.” Major tech companies including Meta, Netflix, IBM, Apple, Slack, and Alphabet (Google) have eliminated the need for a college degree in many job postings. Doing so has exponentially opened up the talent pools available to those companies – after all, 62% of Americans don’t have a four-year degree and are thus automatically eliminated from consideration regardless of the skills they can bring to the table.
But most tech jobs require a specialized skill set. If those skills aren’t learned through traditional education, where can they be picked up?
Non-Traditional Learning Paths
Despite the emphasis on four-year degrees at some companies, tech skills can be learned in other, non-traditional ways. This type of learning typically focuses on specific technical skill sets taught via accelerated, hands-on practice rather than through the broad education provided at post-secondary centers. Bootcamps, online courses, certifications, internships, and vocational training programs are all examples of non-traditional learning paths.
Bootcamps
Bootcamps provide an immersive hands-on learning experience designed around specific skill sets such as coding, software development, UX/UI design, data analytics, and digital marketing. Some bootcamps require a full-time commitment and last 12 weeks; others can be pursued part-time and typically take about 24 weeks.
Because bootcamps are quite intensive, they are also expensive. Forbes reports that the average cost of attending a tech bootcamp in 2022 was $10,825 USD.
Although many bootcamps are designed for people with little or no tech knowledge, it’s best to take some online courses (even massive open online courses [MOOCs]) before signing up for a bootcamp. Some advance learning and preparation can help you pick a bootcamp that suits your interests and abilities.
Online Courses And Certifications
Because MOOCs are free, they’re a terrific way to explore different areas of specialization within tech to see which interests you most. But if you already know what you’re interested in or once you’ve completed some MOOCs, you may find that paid courses offer fuller learning opportunities, especially since instructor feedback is likely much more comprehensive than in a MOOC.
Some online learning platforms, such as Coursera and Udemy, are relatively low cost, especially when compared to traditional post-secondary institutions. However, don’t rule out post-secondary learning altogether. An institution’s remote classes offered as part of a degree program can be pursued independently of a degree.
In addition to more general courses, some online learning opportunities lead to specific certifications that are highly valued by tech employers. A certification not only proves that you have certain skills but also shows that you are committed to a tech career and have invested time and funding in refining your skills to begin and/or advance your career.
A piece at Robert Half, which is periodically updated, lists the tech certifications currently in the highest demand. For beginners, these include:
- CompTIA A+ certification, which covers foundational skills relating to hardware, technical support, and troubleshooting in addition to basic skills around security, networking, and mobile devices; and,
- Microsoft technology professional (MTA) certifications are issued for specific areas of specialization such as networking, mobility and device, gaming, or cloud computing fundamentals.
As you move along your career path, many other credentials can be earned to expand your knowledge and demonstrate your expertise.
Internships
Internships are usually associated with on-the-job training opportunities for post-secondary students. However, some internships are available to anyone. It’s important to keep in mind that although most internships are unpaid or paid at a low wage, they can be beneficial in a few different ways:
- Internships provide excellent hands-on real-life learning opportunities;
- You can expand your network to include contacts at the company you’re interning with as well as their clients and vendors; and,
- Interns are often tapped to fill open roles since they’ve already demonstrated their expertise and value to the company.
If you’re interested in pursuing an internship, keep watch on job boards and ask for leads from your network connections, your local post-secondary institutions, and professional associations for the area of specialization that you’re interested in.
Vocational Training Programs
Vocational training programs offer intensive hands-on learning in focussed areas of specialization such as web design and computer programming. Offered by community colleges or other specialized institutes, vocational training programs are usually of months-long duration, which can be considerably more cost effective than pursuing a four-year degree.
Depending on the institution and the program, the cost of vocational training may be similar to that of attending a bootcamp. If you’re choosing between attending a bootcamp and a vocational school, it may come down to personal preference. Because bootcamps are usually more compressed than vocational training programs, the learning curve may be more intense in a bootcamp. A further consideration is that some employers may be more familiar with local vocational institutions – and thus more willing to accept credentials issued by those institutions – than bootcamps.
Making The Most Of Your Learning Opportunities
The learning path that you ultimately choose is dependent on several factors. Once you’ve identified the skills and knowledge that you would most like to gain, you’ll need to choose between the different types of learning paths: bootcamps, online courses and certifications, internships, and vocational training programs. And, once you’ve identified your preferred learning path, it’s critical to research the different programs and the institutions that offer them.
There are several things to keep in mind when considering which program to pursue. For example, look at:
- The curriculum, to ensure that it aligns with your career goals and offers up-to-date training in the latest technologies;
- The reputation of the program provider, to ensure that those who successfully complete the program have the needed tools to secure employment and that employers value candidates who completed that program;
- Job placement rates, as an indicator of how successfully the program prepares students for the workforce; and,
- The cost, including funding possibilities and/or payment plans.
While online courses and certifications are often self-directed and can be completed at your own pace, bootcamps and vocational training programs can be intensive and fast-paced. If you choose to register in a bootcamp or vocational training program, make sure you approach those opportunities with the right mindset. Time management will be critical. Building relationships with your instructors and peers can provide a necessary support system while studying and also bulk up your network when it’s time to look for work. Additional resources such as the student services center, online communities, and supplementary courses can provide support and help reinforce your learning.
While it can be tempting to dive into the first program that seems to align with your goals, it’s likely worthwhile to take your time and fully investigate all the different learning opportunities available.
Job Search Tools For Tech Professionals
Once you’ve completed your learning goal, you’ll be ready to look for work in your new field. As with any job search, the right tools can make a considerable difference as you look for the tech job of your dreams.
Update Your Resume
In addition to adding your new learning achievements and skills to your resume, it may be time for a general update. Keep your resume concise and clean, with a standardized format. Highlight your technical skills and achievements at the top, so that they stand out, and list your accomplishments in chronological order. Adjusting the wording and content to reflect the job posting you are applying to can help get your resume noticed.
Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile
Tech professionals are in high demand and are often tapped by recruiters desperate to fill open roles. An optimized LinkedIn profile can keep you visible as a passive candidate – someone recruiters may reach out to even before you apply for the job they need to fill.
Some of the best ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile include:
- Using a professional headshot for your profile photo;
- Adding a meaningful cover image;
- Optimizing your headline;
- Fully utilizing your “About” summary to tell your story;
- Tailoring your “Experience” section so that it’s relevant to your new field of work; and,
- Adjusting your profile settings to show that you are open to new work.
Additionally, LinkedIn is important for networking. Grow your network by posting and sharing relevant content and by reacting to and commenting on the content posted by others.
Build A Strong Portfolio
A portfolio is an important tool for any tech professional. It demonstrates your skills and how you approach work, which are important considerations for employers. It’s a collection of documents and images that tell your story as an emerging professional.
In the tech sector, you’ll often be asked to present your portfolio during the interview process. But, if you keep it online, it can be a passive tool in attracting interest from recruiters and employers. It can be hosted for free on Google Drive as a slide show or PDF or you can design a website around it.
A strong portfolio is creatively designed, visually appealing, easy to navigate, and filled with relevant information. While your portfolio should tell your own unique story, it should also include standard elements including:
- An eye-catching title or home page (depending on where it’s hosted);
- A descriptive index or menu;
- An introduction or personal statement about yourself and your career goals;
- A copy of your resume;
- A list of certifications and relevant learning achievements;
- A selection of your best projects, highlighting the ones most relevant to the job applied for; and,
- Testimonials or statements from instructors, peers, coworkers, supervisors, and/or clients.
It’s important to keep your portfolio updated as your career progresses. In your periodic updates, include exciting new projects that you’ve completed, testimonials from new coworkers and clients, details about new certifications that you’ve earned, and adjustments to your career goals.
Grow And Nourish Your Network
Networking is often touted as a tool for career advancement – and rightfully so. When done well, it can provide opportunities for career growth both by developing your knowledge and skills as you interact with your network and by bringing job opportunities to your attention.
But, networking is also a skill that some people find easier than others. If you’re struggling to grow and nourish your network, consider doing the following:
- Define your networking goals, to help pinpoint the people who can help you achieve those goals;
- Develop your online presence on social platforms by contributing to relevant groups and sharing content that others may find valuable;
- Attend industry events and join professional organizations to establish new connections for your network; and,
- Nourish your network by staying in touch with everyone through periodic check-ins and offering reciprocal help and advice where possible.
Although non-traditional career paths are already possible in the tech sector, employers are increasingly embracing this trend. If you’re not yet a tech professional but have been considering a career switch, it’s a good time to investigate your options.
