How to Get into Tech: Your Complete Guide

Get the inside scoop from career experts who work in technology and learn what it takes to land some of the hottest tech jobs right now.

By Jennifer Verta, Monster Contributor

Interested in learning how to get into tech? We’re not surprised. Tech is a rapidly expanding field that can provide great opportunities both if you’re still deciding on your career path, or if you’re in need of a new professional challenge. Therefore, there couldn’t be a better time to start your tech job search.

In this article you’ll find out all about:

  • what tech jobs are
  • what skills and education you need to break into the tech sector
  • tips to make your tech job search more successful
  • challenges you may face working in tech that you should be aware of

What Is Tech?

Tech (short for technology), when used in the job space, is a broad term indicating various industries and sub-industries that use scientific and engineering principles to create and improve products, services, and processes. The list is long, but some of the most notable industries include:

  • Software Development
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Web Development
  • Robotics
  • Internet of Things (IoT)

Technology industries tend to be heavily focused on research and development. This innovation brings constant advancement and growth, not only in terms of what can practically be achieved but also in terms of the number of people employed.

How Many Jobs Are Available in Tech?

Good news for all of you wondering how to get into tech and if it’s worth it. Based on research by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the estimated net tech employment totals around 9.4 million and accounts for approximately 5.8% of the U.S. workforce overall.

However, that figure is likely underestimated. This is because tech professionals don’t’ only work in tech companies, but also in many other sectors across the entire economy. These blurred lines, therefore, make it more difficult to adequately estimate the number of available jobs. Considering that over 85% of organizations are set to increase adoption of new technologies, that’s however, something we should get used to.

The tech sector itself is also projected to continue expanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations alone is expected to grow 15% in the next ten years.

What Are the Different Types of Tech Jobs?

If you’re wondering how to get into tech but you’re not a techie, don’t despair. Strictly technical roles as the software developer or artificial intelligence engineer may be the bulk of the industry, however, there are also plenty of opportunities in non-technical jobs in tech. For example, content managers and project managers require little to no coding knowledge.

Emerging Technologies and Trends

To help you decide which role to pursue, first, check out these tech areas that are growing the fastest.

  • Internet of Things: The interconnection of everyday objects with software.
  • Blockchain: A decentralized, transparent, and secure infrastructure for transactions.
  • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR): The creation of virtual experiences in the real world.
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI): The process of machines learning from data without further inputs and the simulation of human intelligence.
  • Hybrid Cloud: Storing information in cloud solutions that combine public and private capabilities.
  • Cybersecurity: Protecting computer systems, networks, and data from theft or other attacks

The Most In-Demand Tech Jobs

Based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, here are the most in-demand positions in tech and their estimated growth over the next decade:

  • data scientists (36%)
  • information security analysts, especially cybersecurity analysts (35%)
  • software developers, particularly blockchain developers, DevOps engineers, full stack developers (25%)
  • web developers, digital designers, UX/UI designers (23%)
  • computer and information research scientists, particularly AI and Machine Learning engineers and cloud engineers (21%)

The Easiest Tech Jobs to Get Into

Wondering if there are such things as the easiest tech jobs to get into? Well, there’s really no magic recipe here. First, it depends on simple demand and supply. The more people that have the competencies to do a certain job, the more competitive it can get. On top of that, it depends on your specific skillset and what comes more naturally to you.

We can also look at this in terms of the lowest barriers to entry education-wise. These are some jobs that fall into this category:

  • IT support specialist
  • help desk analyst
  • QA tester
  • social media manager
  • technical writer

How to Get into Tech: All the Educational Roads to Tech Work

If you’re curious about how to get into tech but you don’t have four years spare to go back to school, you’ll be happy to know that’s not the only option you have. There are several paths you can choose from:

1. Formal Education

If you’re a high school student trying to figure out how to get a tech job, this is one of the best options you have since time is on your side and traditional education still holds a lot of value.

How to Get a Job in Tech with a Degree

The best degrees you can pick to pursue a career in tech include:

  • Computer Science, for software developers, web developers, and UX designers.
  • Information Technology, for information technology specialists or business analysts.
  • Computer Engineering, for software developers, full stack software developers, and data analysts.
  • Data Science, for data scientists, Machine Learning engineers, and data engineers.
  • Mathematics, for Machine Learning engineers, blockchain developers, data analysts, and data architects.
  • Software Engineering, for video game designers, SQA engineers, and cyber security engineers.

As far as academic excellence goes, the following are the top-universities in the U.S. for Computer Science programs:

  • Stanford University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • University of California Berkeley
  • University of Washington Seattle
  • Harvard University

For career switchers with various life commitments, it might be more tricky to juggle studying for a degree and working. And that’s where bootcamps come in handy.

How to Get into the Tech Industry Through a Bootcamp

Bootcamps are a shorter, more intense option for breaking into tech that focuses just on coding. They are the perfect compromise if you need to build your skills fast. Many universities and private academies offer this option and you can study both remotely or in-person.

You’ll find some of the most renowned bootcamps at:

2. Self-Education

Nowadays, there are plenty of online resources available to help you when it comes to learning how to get into tech. You can take courses in programming languages, web development, data science and more. Some of the best online course providers you can find are:

Many of these are free or low-cost and can even be self-paced to adapt to your unique schedule. They are the ideal tools for those that prefer to study independently but want to do so within a structured course.

3. Apprenticeships and Internships

Once you have gained some basic knowledge of the tech area you’re interested in, apprenticeships and internships are a great way to speed up your journey to a full-time role in the industry. These programs are created to provide training and hands-on experience in real tech company settings, so breaking into tech afterward is easier.

How to Break into Tech via Apprenticeships and Internships – Differences and Benefits

While similar, apprenticeships and internships do have distinct differences that you should be aware of in order to choose between them. Firstly, apprenticeships tend to require a longer commitment, are more structured and focus on training and mentorship at the same time, while also paying you.

Many companies offer apprenticeships, so if you’re still uncertain how to get into tech, check out companies you’re interested in working for and see if they offer them. For instance, Google, Airbnb, or Pinterest, specifically seek candidates with non-tech degrees and basic bootcamp knowledge as well.

Internships on the other hand, are generally shorter. They may or may not pay and are mostly available to candidates from formal education settings. You can access them through university partnerships, job fairs and job boards.

If you have a chance to take part in an apprenticeship and internship, don’t pass it up. They are both great opportunities to learn directly from experienced professionals, start building your network and gain real-life experience and skills.

The Top Skills You Need to Work in Tech and Thrive

When exploring how to get into tech, be aware of the different skills you need to succeed in this field. And, while technical skills are important, they’re not the only ones. Here are all the essential skills you need to thrive in this industry:

1. Technical Skills

As far as technical skills go, the exact expertise you’ll need depends on the specific role you’re targeting. However, we can safely assume that to work in most technical positions you must have at least a basic understanding of all the following:

  • Programming Languages. Coding with programming languages such as Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, or similar is the backbone of every website, app, and software program.
  • Database Management. Managing databases, and extracting and manipulating data are two fundamental tasks in a lot of tech work. You’ll have to master SQL and NoSQL, among the other programming languages.
  • Data Analysis. Knowing how to collect, filter and analyze data is essential. Tools you should be familiar with include Excel, Tableau, and R Analytics.
  • System Architecture. Technology uses complex systems and infrastructures such as cloud architecture, virtualization, and distributed systems. Understanding how these are designed, built, and maintained is important if you’re serious about learning how to get into tech.
  • Web Development. Front-end and back-end development and the interactions between the two are handled through programs like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.
  • Machine Learning and AI. As these technologies gain more and more importance, being familiar with how their algorithms and networks work is crucial to operating in spaces such as robotics and data science.
  • Cybersecurity and Network Security. Data is valuable and data theft is a serious problem. To protect yourself and your clients you must have a general understanding of concepts such as firewalls, encryption, and secure coding practices.

2. Soft Skills

While tech abilities vary with each role, the soft skills you need to succeed in this industry are the same across the board. The most important include:

  • Verbal and written communication. As a tech professional, you need to be able to explain technical concepts to stakeholders, colleagues, and clients who might not be familiar with them. This requires you to use clear and effective communication.
  • Teamwork. In tech companies results come from collaboration Being able to work effectively with others is essential for effective workflows and feeding innovation.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking. In this field, complex problems are on your daily agenda. Problem-solving skills and critical thinking help you identify issues, approach them from different perspectives and find innovative solutions.
  • Creativity. Similar to problem-solving, creativity means thinking outside of the box to find new innovative ways to serve your users or approach problems.
  • Organization. Strong organizational skills are a must when you have to deal with multiple intricate tech projects. Make sure you learn how to prioritize tasks, measure progress, and meet deadlines.
  • Flexibility. Technology is constantly evolving and being able to adapt to change is critical to your job security. Working in tech means you’ll have to get used to multitasking, priorities change, and adjusting your work based on client requests or other departments’ needs.

3. Industry-Specific Skills

Depending on your role, you’ll also need specific hard skills. In this “how to get into tech” guide, we list some of the most in-demand by area of work:

Software development

  • Coding
  • Debugging
  • IOS/Android development
  • Testing

Project management

  • Agile Methodologies
  • SCRUM Methodologies
  • Budget planning

Design

  • Photoshop
  • UX research
  • HTML

Challenges You Might Face When Try to Break into Tech

Our objective in this article about how to get into tech is to prepare you for all that you might experience when looking for a job in this industry. This means also making you aware of the difficulties you might encounter. The tech industry is not immune to issues of bias, discrimination, ageism, and lack of diversity and inclusion.

Gender and Race Discrimination

The gender gap is still very real. Women are underrepresented in tech and around 57% of them reported having experienced gender discrimination at some point. Black respondents reported facing discrimination at 48% and Hispanic/Latino or Latina at 30%.

Lack of Diversity and Inclusion

LGBTQ employees are not only underrepresented but are the most likely to leave tech companies due to bullying. Meanwhile, people with a disability represent only around 6.7% of the tech workforce in the United States.

Ageism

Unfair assumptions about mature-aged workers can also make it more difficult to get a role in tech. Despite the effort of the Age Discrimination Employment Act in 1967, people older than 35 may be considered old for the industry.

These challenges are why taking the time to research a company is so important. Before applying for a job, you should always investigate if that organization promotes a welcoming and supportive workplace culture, no matter your background.

On top of this, make sure to put into practice the tips that we suggest below to become and stay relevant in your field.

How to Get Started in Tech: Tips for Beginners

At this point, you should hopefully have a clearer idea about how to get into tech, education, and skillset-wise. But what are the other concrete steps in your journey to break into tech when you’re just beginning? Here are a few of the most important:

1. Identify Your Interests and Passions

This is especially true if you’re a recent graduate or you’re out there looking for a career change. Tech is a broad field with many different areas of specialization. Before embarking on any course or study program, take some time to focus on what you’re really interested in and what aligns with what you want your life to be like.

Some questions you might find useful to figure out how to get into tech are:

  • What aspects of technology do you find interesting?
  • What tech products do you use and are already familiar with?
  • What skills do you already have that could be useful in a tech career?
  • Would you rather have a strictly technical or a non-technical job?

2. Network

Something you want to start working on early in your tech career is networking. It’s how you’ll get the best industry insights, advice, and job opportunities. Make a point of growing your network by:

  • socializing with coworkers or colleagues from other departments
  • attending professional events or meetups
  • reaching out and keeping in touch with people in your sector
  • joining career-specific online communities

3. Seek Mentorship and Feedback

Finding a mentor and seeking feedback is an essential part of how to get into tech. A mentor can be anyone you admire who has already walked the same or a similar path to the one you’re interested in.

They could be a boss, a coworker, or a friend. With their knowledge and experience, they can provide you with guidance, and advice to help you take informed decisions. Feedback from your mentor and the people you work with the most is one of the best tools you have to improve and grow in your career.

4. Showcase Your Work

If you’re just starting out in tech, how are companies going to know what you can do for them? The simplest way is to put your work out there. You could do this by:

  • building a portfolio to share with employers when you apply for jobs
  • creating a website or a blog that exhibits your best projects
  • participating in coding challenges or similar online events to showcase your talent (and test your skills too!)

How to Stay Relevant in Tech with Continuous Learning

If you think that once you figure out how to get into tech, your learning journey will be over, think again. This industry is constantly changing, which means you need a love of continuous learning to keep up and be successful. Luckily, there are plenty of options to help you:

1. Online Courses and Tutorials

The same resources that helped you learn how to get into tech are valid for upskilling throughout your entire career. In addition, check out tutorials and how-to guides on YouTube, or on blogs such as:

  • Smashing Magazine
  • WPbeginner
  • How-to Geek
  • Blogging Cage
  • Addictive Tips

2. Professional Organizations

Join one of the top IT organizations in your area of expertise. They provide you with the latest news and useful statistics in the industry, as well as ongoing opportunities for training and networking.

3. Tech Communities and Meetups

Tech communities and meetups are less formal and structured settings. However, they still help you stay up to date on the latest trends and innovations in your sector. Some of the most popular ones are:

  • GitHub
  • Stack Overflow
  • Geeksforgeeks

4. Conferences and Events

Attending conferences and other similar professional events is another great way to stay current in your sector, learn and network. Some of the most anticipated include:

  • CES
  • TechCrunch Disrupt
  • SXSW
  • Google I/O

5. Tech News and Podcasts

Learning about industry news and innovation is easy if you integrate this practice into your daily routine. Listen to an industry-specific podcast on the way to work or read a tech newsletter to transition from work to free time.

How to Get into Tech: Tips for Your Job Search

Now it’s time to get to work on your job applications and put your newfound knowledge on how to get into tech into practice. Job hunting is easier when you have a clear strategy. So, here are some tips to help you focus and stand out:

1. Build a Strong Resume and Cover Letter

Unless you attend a career fair, your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, so make it a good one. Best practices for writing your resume include:

  • Using a clear and easy-to-read resume layout. Use well-defined sections, bullet points, wise spacing, and bold text to help recruiters find what they need. Our range of resume templates have lots of examples to get you started.
  • Tailoring your resume. For every position you apply for, scan the corresponding job ad for role-specific keywords (e.g., “Strong CSS” or “ADA compliance experience”) and include them in your document.
  • Quantifying your achievements. Add numbers, percentages, and other metrics to show you’re target driven. For example, you could show the percentage of tickets you’ve completed on time.
  • Highlighting your relevant experience. You don’t need to list every single experience you’ve ever had, only include those that align with the role you want. First high school job? Out. Relevant hobby? In!

Do the same for your cover letter. However, here you also should include your personal motivations to work in that field and join that company.

2. Automate Your Search

You don’t need to spend hours scrolling through the tech job offers anymore. Learn how to get into tech easily by activating customized job alerts for the job you want. This will save you a ton of time that you can use instead to prepare better for the next steps of your job hunt.

3. Prepare for the Job Interview

The key to nailing your tech job interview is adequate preparation. Doing so will help you perform better and calm your nerves, trust us. Get ready by:

  • Researching the companies you’re interviewing with in terms of their values, goals, and current tech projects. Check out the professional social media profiles of your interviewers as well, you might learn something useful for the conversation.
  • Prepare answers to the most common job interview questions. Learn the STAR Method to answer complex questions effectively. This is also a great method to apply to any take-home test or problem set that the interviewer gives you.
  • Write down a few questions for the recruiter. They’ll expect them. Enquire about company culture, as well as the team and the responsibilities associated with the perspective role.
  • Don’t forget about your attire. Choose what you’re going to wear at the job interview wisely to make the best possible impression.

4. Get Ready to Negotiate Salary and Benefits

Tech companies can move fast when hiring, so be ready to negotiate a salary offer. The following steps will help you get the best deal you can:

  • Research the market rate for your role. You can check the average earnings for your role in your area on Monster’s Salary Calculator. However, be aware that your limited experience can influence what you receive. Asking your network is another smart way to learn what to reasonably expect.
  • Back up your requests with evidence of your value. Don’t be shy about highlighting all your relevant experience, and transferrable skills that make you a good fit, even if you have little experience.
  • Be open to other forms of compensation. Working in tech can have great benefits besides your pay. If the company won’t agree to the number you want, consider negotiating more PTO, flexible hours, a better 401(k) match, or start-up equity.

Explore All the Types of Tech Jobs You Can Imagine on Monster

We’ve got you covered on how to get into tech with a variety of exciting tech jobs to suit any interest. Download Monster’s Job Search App and start applying to your dream jobs. Create an account, upload your resume, and find the right fit among all the job ads tailored to you.