How did you get into the Technology field and is the work as ambitious as I think it is? Am I on the right path given my circumstances?
I'm a young man highly interested in pursuing a career in Technology. Specifically, I want to be apart of something where innovation and the development of new, cutting edge technology is apart of the goal, working for companies like SpaceX, Tesla, Apple, or Microsoft. As of right now with my given life circumstances I cannot afford to pay for a four year university and obtain a bachelor's degree, I'm a High School graduate. Thus, I am currently enrolled into Job Corps and am on a path to take the Electrician trade in the meantime while I square myself away. But I am still hoping to fulfill my goals, if not at this very moment, than for the mid-long term. #computer-science #technology #science #job
6 answers
Angelina’s Answer
I think both options are super great! In my experience, you won't always need a college degree right away to get into the tech industry. There are many more affordable options online (such as Treehouse.com or CodeAcademy) that can help you get started and equipped enough to land a great job. I personally was not able to go to college right away after high school and instead got involved in tech by starting in a support role at a company, saying yes to opportunities to learn more. Within a couple of years, I had learned enough and advanced enough to start putting myself through college.
I love that you are already thinking in the mid to long term as well. College right away does not always have to be the path if it doesn't make sense given your life experiences. And as someone who is still working on finally wrapping up their degree 10+ years later, I can confidently say it is not the only path to success.
Take advantage of what makes the most sense for you in the short-term (1 - 2 years) and keep heading towards that north star. You'll get there!
Best,
Angelina
Andy’s Answer
Heading towards electrician as a "trade" could be a great strategy! Depending on how you like to spend your time (working with your hands vs. typing on a computer vs. talking on the phone), the "trades" including electricians can offer some physical diversity to the day: driving to site(s), physically cabling a building, interacting with other trades and customers. If you are considering a path where being an electrician provides you some economic stability and resources to then further your education towards a technology based career, that also seems like a great strategy. The cool thing about the sequence you are considering, is the electrician trade skills are physical, practical and somewhat immutable (always required, don't change dramatically over time) so you may be able to establish some economic stability as an electrician - and then, along the way you can keep considering your vision of working more deeply in the technology industry. I suspect that even a few years into your electrician "phase" you may have more and more specific or refined ideas about what kind of role you might want to target within the tech industry. Is it the assumed path: an electrical or mechanical engineer, helping design and build physical circuitry (or devices) or maybe you end up wanting to take a different type of role but within the tech industry: sales , marketing, business development, manufacturing, (there really are so many different roles inside the tech industry beyond "engineering" - any/all of which are great options depending on a person's natural interests, passions, skills). Lastly, yes I do think you would find hte "tech industry" to be a very ambitious field with lots of options. Zhebei also has some great points in his answers as well!
Cheers,
Andy
Rob’s Answer
Kevin’s Answer
There are a number of software engineers that are 'non-traditionally' trained. There are a number of GREAT software engineering programs that are not college programs. Some are paid, others are free. The best thing you can do is to continue to learn always, and understand what is needed in order to eventually get that first software engineering job.
What skills do you need? Sadly if you ask 10 people you may get 10 different answers, which there is not the best clear answer for.
But if you learn how to build software applications and APIs, like you could build a clone of a website you like or something, that is a really good start.
And keep checking in on this website as you continue your learning. You could say, I have learned X, Y and Z. What am I missing? What should I study next?
Good luck!
Jay’s Answer
Jay recommends the following next steps:
Danielle’s Answer
I agree with the above feedback that there is not necessarily one way to get into the field or role you are interested in. Many roles at tech companies do not require a 4 year degree as well. I personally work in an operations, and with our customers. Given the experience for the roles that I hire for, not every role that I hire for requires a 4 year degree. In fact I have one current employee of mine who is currently working on my team, and getting their degree at the same time. I do believe that it's not necessarily about your degree, but how you get your foot in the door, and then how you use your experiences, and make connections, to your advantage.
Just remember there is not one linear path on how to get to where you want to be. You will find the right way path :) .
Best,
Danielle