LETTER : 5 Steps to Career Success in IT or Computer Science
Have you thought about entering a growing field like IT or computer science? Today, professionals in these fields have no shortage of job opportunities. After all, every company needs experts with a deep understanding of technical systems and the hardware and software that businesses run on. But even if you already have some basic coding skills or software development projects under your belt, you might not know how to break into these industries and land a job where you’ll enjoy a path to upward advancement.
Today, online learning programs are making it easier than ever for young professionals to earn appropriate IT certifications. And if you’re ready to start a career progression plan, the following tips from Faboppa will guide you along the way.
Consider Future Jobs
There are countless jobs available to people with computer science or IT skills – but what kind of job do you really want? It can be helpful to read up on some common job titles and understand what your responsibilities would be if you were to land one of these jobs. After all, you want to make sure that you’re seeking out the right kinds of positions for your interests.
Do you want to spend your days building websites and helpful applications? Then consider becoming a software developer. If you love coding, graphic design, and mastering new programming languages, you could be a future web developer. Maybe you’ve always stepped into leadership and organizational roles, and you’d like to combine those skills with your passion for IT. IT project management might come quite naturally to you.
If subjects like cybersecurity or artificial intelligence pique your interest, becoming an information security analyst or AI engineer could be what flips your switch. Alternatively, if you’re more passionate about working with hardware than software, you might be a computer hardware engineer. Weigh your skills and interests, and then determine the right path for your future.
Earn Your Degree Online
Many positions in the IT and computer science fields will require you to have a college degree. While you may be able to get your foot in the door at a company without one, you’ll have more options with a degree. A college degree represents a significant investment of time, money, and effort, so it’s important to think carefully about which program fits your circumstances. While it might be tempting to attend school at a brick-and-mortar college, a university that offers online classes is a more flexible and affordable option for many students. Regardless of where you decide to study, you should look into scholarships and grants to help pay for your education.
Even if you already have some IT or computer science knowledge, earning your degree online will help you learn skills that will make you a more attractive candidate for lucrative jobs. Plus, you’ll have your choice of a wide range of specializations. For example, if you want to pursue a career in computer science, you could complete coursework in subjects like data structures, architecture and structures, AI, computer theory, and even logic. You can also learn about the business side of IT and get the hang of several programming languages.
Throughout your college experience, it’s important to find new ways to keep furthering your skills. Simple Programmer recommends collaborating with other students on engaging, challenging projects to learn from your peers and participating in events like hackathons. You can also start contributing to open-source projects that you could add to your portfolio in the future.
Start Your Job Hunt
Once you’ve earned your degree or completed enough coursework to land an internship, how should you start searching for your very first position in your new field? Dice suggests creating a job-hunting strategy rather than sending out applications to every company that happens to have openings. Begin by writing down what you’re looking for in an employer and then applying at companies that fit the bill. And before you even send out your resume, take some time to optimize your online presence. Create a portfolio with examples of projects that you’re proud of so that employers can see the practical application of your skills.
Also, it helps to be proactive about networking, especially when you’re just starting out in your career. You can connect with people in your industry through social media or platforms like LinkedIn and politely approach them if you need guidance or advice.
Polish Your Customer Service Skills
Yes, you’ll need strong technical skills in order to succeed in IT or computer science. However, you’ll also have to develop good customer service skills! Chances are, if you’re not working closely with your other team members to complete projects, you’ll be working directly with customers to walk them through solutions to technical problems.
How can you provide top-notch service to customers? It takes patience and practice! No matter what your specialty is and what kind of problems you address for customers, you need to develop a deep understanding of their needs, connect them to a team member who could better help them if their problem is outside of your area of expertise, and listen closely to their feedback to improve your future interactions.
Focus on Career Advancement
What can you do to move up in your IT or computer science career? It’s a good idea to plan out what you want to achieve within the next five years and seek out a mentor who can help you achieve those goals.
Talk to your manager about your goals during your performance reviews, find out if you’ll need to earn additional certifications, and volunteer to take on more difficult projects in your current role. By going out of your comfort zone, you’ll find key opportunities.
Working in IT or computer science can be exciting. You’ll be able to contribute to interesting projects, become an expert on crucial systems that are essential to today’s businesses, and continuously expand your skillset. If you’re hoping to land your first job in this industry, working hard and demonstrating a willingness to learn will go far. By following these steps, you’ll be able to achieve success in this field!
Guest Letter is a series of anonymous submissions published by Faboppa.com on behalf of Guest Authors who'd like to share their money stories to a bigger audience of like-minded folks.Submissions are preserved as much as possible in their original format, with touch-ups done to ensure consistent quality and reading experiences, as with other articles on the blog.
