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What steps would you recommend I take to prepare for the Computer Tech field.
What are the most effective strategies for seeking a position in this field?
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9 answers
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Rajukiran’s Answer
Seeking a position in the computer field is not so hard. You just need to get prepared with what are your interests within this field. This is a vast field and you need to select a specific area and need to learn the basics. There are lot of graduate roles open in the market. I myself come from the Data Engineering background. To get a position in the data engineering space, I would recommended to get familiar with basic SQL statements and queries to start with. Also, the cloud technology space is in the boom and you could learn about different cloud providers in youtube or other educational content providers like acloud.guru or udemy. They not only provide a course put also provide a hands-on lab to get a real working feel.
All the Best!!
All the Best!!
Updated
Liran’s Answer
Hi Michael,
If you have some experience in the field (such as programing experience, etc..) or you have studied computers before (in school or alone) and you know which field is interesting for you then you are half way there :)
If not, I suggest you take some online courses which are free, see if anything is interesting and start from there. There are many different careers in computers/IT and each field require different learning path but once you focus and find the area which is for you, from there the sky is the limit.
Personally, I learned programing in high school and it was not for me, I loved computers and stayed in this field by taking professional courses related to computer networks and operating systems, but that was how I started and it is not for everyone.
Hope I assisted and good luck :)
Thanks.
If you have some experience in the field (such as programing experience, etc..) or you have studied computers before (in school or alone) and you know which field is interesting for you then you are half way there :)
If not, I suggest you take some online courses which are free, see if anything is interesting and start from there. There are many different careers in computers/IT and each field require different learning path but once you focus and find the area which is for you, from there the sky is the limit.
Personally, I learned programing in high school and it was not for me, I loved computers and stayed in this field by taking professional courses related to computer networks and operating systems, but that was how I started and it is not for everyone.
Hope I assisted and good luck :)
Thanks.
Curtis Miller, ITIL® Expert and ServiceNow Professional
Technology Program Manager
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Curtis’s Answer
To prepare for a career in the Computer Tech field, here are some recommended steps you can take:
Set Clear Goals: Define your career goals within the Computer Tech field. Determine the specific job roles or areas of interest you want to pursue, such as software development, network administration, cybersecurity, or technical support. This will help you focus your efforts and tailor your preparations accordingly.
Acquire a Solid Foundation: Pursue a formal education in a relevant field such as computer science, information technology, or software engineering. Obtain a degree or relevant certifications to gain a strong theoretical and practical understanding of core concepts in the field.
Develop Technical Skills: Master the technical skills required for your desired role. This includes programming languages, operating systems, networking protocols, database management, cybersecurity principles, and relevant software tools. Explore online resources, tutorials, coding platforms, and practice projects to hone your skills.
Gain Practical Experience: Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Look for internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in IT-related positions or projects. This practical experience will provide you with real-world exposure and help you apply your knowledge in practical scenarios.
Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, assignments, and personal work. This can include coding projects, websites, mobile apps, or any other relevant work. A portfolio demonstrates your skills and can be valuable when applying for jobs or internships.
Network and Join Communities: Engage with professional communities, online forums, and social media groups related to the Computer Tech field. Networking can help you connect with professionals, gain insights, and discover potential job opportunities. Attend industry events, meetups, or conferences to expand your network.
Stay Updated and Continuously Learn: The Computer Tech field is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Stay updated with the latest technologies, trends, and industry developments. Read blogs, follow industry influencers, join relevant online courses or webinars, and consider attending workshops or training programs to stay current with new advancements.
Obtain Certifications: Industry-recognized certifications can enhance your credentials and validate your skills. Research certifications relevant to your chosen field, such as CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, or specialized certifications in cybersecurity or cloud computing. Prepare and study for these certifications to boost your professional profile.
Develop Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, focus on developing essential soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued in the Computer Tech field and contribute to your overall professional growth.
Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors or professionals working in your desired field who can provide guidance, advice, and support. Mentors can offer insights into the industry, share their experiences, and provide valuable career advice.
Remember that success in the Computer Tech field requires dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability. Stay proactive, embrace new challenges, and remain open to expanding your skill set as technology advances.
Set Clear Goals: Define your career goals within the Computer Tech field. Determine the specific job roles or areas of interest you want to pursue, such as software development, network administration, cybersecurity, or technical support. This will help you focus your efforts and tailor your preparations accordingly.
Acquire a Solid Foundation: Pursue a formal education in a relevant field such as computer science, information technology, or software engineering. Obtain a degree or relevant certifications to gain a strong theoretical and practical understanding of core concepts in the field.
Develop Technical Skills: Master the technical skills required for your desired role. This includes programming languages, operating systems, networking protocols, database management, cybersecurity principles, and relevant software tools. Explore online resources, tutorials, coding platforms, and practice projects to hone your skills.
Gain Practical Experience: Seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience. Look for internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work in IT-related positions or projects. This practical experience will provide you with real-world exposure and help you apply your knowledge in practical scenarios.
Build a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, assignments, and personal work. This can include coding projects, websites, mobile apps, or any other relevant work. A portfolio demonstrates your skills and can be valuable when applying for jobs or internships.
Network and Join Communities: Engage with professional communities, online forums, and social media groups related to the Computer Tech field. Networking can help you connect with professionals, gain insights, and discover potential job opportunities. Attend industry events, meetups, or conferences to expand your network.
Stay Updated and Continuously Learn: The Computer Tech field is dynamic and rapidly evolving. Stay updated with the latest technologies, trends, and industry developments. Read blogs, follow industry influencers, join relevant online courses or webinars, and consider attending workshops or training programs to stay current with new advancements.
Obtain Certifications: Industry-recognized certifications can enhance your credentials and validate your skills. Research certifications relevant to your chosen field, such as CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, or specialized certifications in cybersecurity or cloud computing. Prepare and study for these certifications to boost your professional profile.
Develop Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, focus on developing essential soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. These skills are highly valued in the Computer Tech field and contribute to your overall professional growth.
Seek Mentorship and Guidance: Find mentors or professionals working in your desired field who can provide guidance, advice, and support. Mentors can offer insights into the industry, share their experiences, and provide valuable career advice.
Remember that success in the Computer Tech field requires dedication, continuous learning, and adaptability. Stay proactive, embrace new challenges, and remain open to expanding your skill set as technology advances.
Updated
Blake’s Answer
Hi Michael,
The computer tech field is very large and has many disciplines and types of technology to explore within.
My best advice for you is to get yourself a nice laptop and just start programming. Pick a language, database, framework, etc... anything. Nearly every type of job in the computer tech field has some form of programming in it now. Program something that interests you and learn to fall in love with optimizing your code for speed and memory usage. Treat programming like a video game or a going to the gym. The more you practice and the more you build things or reverse engineer things, the easier it will be for you in the future to build bigger programs and figure out where you want to go within computer technology.
Hope this helps! Remember to have fun.
The computer tech field is very large and has many disciplines and types of technology to explore within.
My best advice for you is to get yourself a nice laptop and just start programming. Pick a language, database, framework, etc... anything. Nearly every type of job in the computer tech field has some form of programming in it now. Program something that interests you and learn to fall in love with optimizing your code for speed and memory usage. Treat programming like a video game or a going to the gym. The more you practice and the more you build things or reverse engineer things, the easier it will be for you in the future to build bigger programs and figure out where you want to go within computer technology.
Hope this helps! Remember to have fun.
Updated
Nick’s Answer
It's a broad field and there is no "wrong" way to get into it, but the path you take will depend on what kinds of things you want to do and how you like to learn about new things. I would roughly break up the things you can do into 2 categories: Structured learning and tinkering/trying things out on your own.
For structured learning, this can take the form of online courses, tutorials or even education programs at school or in college. The most important thing to consider with courses is that they will only be worth the time you put in to using them. For most people, simply watching a video lesson won't be a very effective way to learn. You need to find ways to use the things you're learning as you learn them. This could mean doing homework or projects as part of the course, or it could mean tinkering and doing a personal project on your own on the side.
Some places to look for structured learning include:
- Online course sites (https://www.khanacademy.org/ is a great start)
- At school, or local community colleges
- Youtube
For tinkering/trying things on your own, I recommend setting a simple goal for yourself and then start researching what you need to do to get there. Some example goals could be:
- Make your own phone App
- Build a computer - https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-build-a-pc/
- Make your own Alexa/voice assistant from a Raspberry Pi - https://www.voiceflow.com/blog/transforming-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-simple-voice-assistant
-
https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming
Jessica Payne's Building Security People talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibc-ACdgxBY
For structured learning, this can take the form of online courses, tutorials or even education programs at school or in college. The most important thing to consider with courses is that they will only be worth the time you put in to using them. For most people, simply watching a video lesson won't be a very effective way to learn. You need to find ways to use the things you're learning as you learn them. This could mean doing homework or projects as part of the course, or it could mean tinkering and doing a personal project on your own on the side.
Some places to look for structured learning include:
- Online course sites (https://www.khanacademy.org/ is a great start)
- At school, or local community colleges
- Youtube
For tinkering/trying things on your own, I recommend setting a simple goal for yourself and then start researching what you need to do to get there. Some example goals could be:
- Make your own phone App
- Build a computer - https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-build-a-pc/
- Make your own Alexa/voice assistant from a Raspberry Pi - https://www.voiceflow.com/blog/transforming-your-raspberry-pi-into-a-simple-voice-assistant
-
Nick recommends the following next steps:
Updated
David’s Answer
Explore the different areas of the field. When I speak to someone who doesn't work in the computer field and they can't understand why I can't program, I explain that they need to think of the computer field like the medical field. A surgeon is very different than a pediatrician and a pediatrician is very different from an MRI specialist.
So when it comes to the computer field, a programmer is very different from a network engineer and also very different from a database specialist. Explore the different areas of the field and see what interests you. When I was in my early years of the field I browsed the job adds looking at different job titles and exploring those.
Lastly, learn how to type. Take typing classes. I knew at a young age I was going into the computer field. I took two years of typing. When I started my Associates Degree in Computer Management I was shocked that more than half the class couldn't type. It would take some students 8-10 hours to type in their computer program which only took me a half hour. This was a huge benefit to me and in the end I was paid by some of these students to type in their programs. So it was a win-win for me in the end. I can't emphasize enough the skill of typing accurately and quickly.
So when it comes to the computer field, a programmer is very different from a network engineer and also very different from a database specialist. Explore the different areas of the field and see what interests you. When I was in my early years of the field I browsed the job adds looking at different job titles and exploring those.
Lastly, learn how to type. Take typing classes. I knew at a young age I was going into the computer field. I took two years of typing. When I started my Associates Degree in Computer Management I was shocked that more than half the class couldn't type. It would take some students 8-10 hours to type in their computer program which only took me a half hour. This was a huge benefit to me and in the end I was paid by some of these students to type in their programs. So it was a win-win for me in the end. I can't emphasize enough the skill of typing accurately and quickly.
Updated
Janice’s Answer
Taking CS classes online or in college are probably the best to see if you enjoy it or not. There are also different parts of tech that you can be a part of - it can doesn't all have to be technical. You should research on different roles in tech (Software Engineer, Product Management, Data Analyst) and see which one interests you, and work backwards to see what courses you should take to excel in it.
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear that you are interested in Tech career. In fact, there are many different careers in Tech including coding, application support, system support, database administration, network administration, etc. Each of these careers may have different knowledge domain.
Below is my suggestions :
1. Take Computer Science as your major in the college. This can give you an overview of different aspect in tech. Find out what you have interest
2 . Explore intern opportunities on the area you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in the career
4. Seek guidance from the profession, your mentor, etc.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Below is my suggestions :
1. Take Computer Science as your major in the college. This can give you an overview of different aspect in tech. Find out what you have interest
2 . Explore intern opportunities on the area you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in the career
4. Seek guidance from the profession, your mentor, etc.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Updated
PRASANJIT’s Answer
Start with your resume.
Present your soft skills.
Be your best self.
Be enthusiastic.
Know the company and advertised job.
Prepare for coding interviews.
Steer the conversation.
Additional resources
Present your soft skills.
Be your best self.
Be enthusiastic.
Know the company and advertised job.
Prepare for coding interviews.
Steer the conversation.
Additional resources