6 answers
Angel
Student
Yuma, Arizona
1
Question
Asked
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What is the technological field like?
I’m a middle school student who has been considering taking a career in the technological field, if there is anyone who works in those fields, what is the field like and what is the average salary?
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6 answers
Chuqi Zhen
Software Engineer
17
Answers
Weehawken, New Jersey
Updated
Chuqi’s Answer
The world of technology offers a vast array of exciting career paths, such as software engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering, to name just a few. Each role is unique, with its own daily routines and pay scales. While these professionals use their individual skills to create solutions in their own ways, they all share a common trait – a knack for problem-solving. This is the heart of the tech industry. If you're a middle school student curious about these fields, I encourage you to dive into a science or engineering course that sparks your interest. From there, seek out internships or research opportunities to further explore the tech areas that captivate you the most.
Brigetta McLafferty
Tech Strategy & Operations
1
Answer
Napa, California
Updated
Brigetta’s Answer
It's fantastic to see you're already considering your future career path! Having spent nearly two decades in the tech industry, I've had the opportunity to explore a multitude of roles. That's the beauty of tech - it's a vast field with numerous areas to delve into. You could find your niche in human resources, communications, or marketing, or perhaps in engineering, product design, or customer success.
The experience of working in tech can vary greatly depending on the company you choose. Start-ups, for instance, often have a dynamic, all-hands-on-deck atmosphere. You may find yourself wearing multiple hats, which can be an exciting way to gain diverse experiences. This can be instrumental in helping you discover your true passions and identifying areas that may not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, larger, more established companies typically offer a sense of stability and opportunities for career advancement. Plus, they often provide the flexibility to transition into different roles within the same organization.
I trust you'll find this information useful. Here's wishing you all the best on your journey!
The experience of working in tech can vary greatly depending on the company you choose. Start-ups, for instance, often have a dynamic, all-hands-on-deck atmosphere. You may find yourself wearing multiple hats, which can be an exciting way to gain diverse experiences. This can be instrumental in helping you discover your true passions and identifying areas that may not be your cup of tea. On the other hand, larger, more established companies typically offer a sense of stability and opportunities for career advancement. Plus, they often provide the flexibility to transition into different roles within the same organization.
I trust you'll find this information useful. Here's wishing you all the best on your journey!
Andrew Schwartz
EdTech - Operations
7
Answers
Charlottesville, Virginia
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
The technological field is a fast pace and evolving on a regular basis. It really involves a wide rage of disciplines. Here's just a few thoughts/ aspects of the technological field:
-There are rapid advancements. New innovations happen often, and over the course history/time, the rate in which these innovations occur seem to happen more and more frequently
- Almost all industry sectors use technology. It's a big driver in advancements across areas such as healthcare, education, energy, finance, etc.
- Cyber Security - as we rely more and more on digital systems protecting personal information is very important to this field to continue its advancement
- "Internet of things" - More and more devices are connecting to the internet and share information. This allows us have things like smart homes and smart cities - in the end making day to day life easier.
-There are rapid advancements. New innovations happen often, and over the course history/time, the rate in which these innovations occur seem to happen more and more frequently
- Almost all industry sectors use technology. It's a big driver in advancements across areas such as healthcare, education, energy, finance, etc.
- Cyber Security - as we rely more and more on digital systems protecting personal information is very important to this field to continue its advancement
- "Internet of things" - More and more devices are connecting to the internet and share information. This allows us have things like smart homes and smart cities - in the end making day to day life easier.
Nicole Sing
Product Owner
1
Answer
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
I love that you're in middle school and thinking about your career and future salary. When I was in middle school, I had an interest in computers and how they worked, as well as business, even though I thought I wanted to study something else entirely.
Working in tech is a great career path, it can give you opportunities to explore things you're genuinely interested in, while still making a great income. In general, if you go for becoming a developer/coding or information systems over information technology or IT, I think you're more likely to find interesting work that pays more as well.
In general, I think the tech field is great if you like thinking about how systems work, if you enjoy logic or math, if you like creating organization systems or defining rules for how things should work, and if you like puzzles. A lot of what I spend my time doing is figuring out how an app should work to make it not-confusing for my users, then writing requirements and working with developers to ensure a quality product is built.
I agree going to college for a 4 year degree is what I'd recommend as a starting point. You can take classes to figure out what interests you most, and how technical you want to be. For me, writing code is too technical for me, but I love defining requirements for how a system or code needs to function.
Out of college I became a systems analyst and made $55k per year, by switching jobs and negotiating salaries, I now make $155k per year 8 years later as a product owner. Developers will tend to make more I think. I feel very blessed that I found something I like and that pays very well.
Keep focusing on doing well in school. Try to get good grades in high school and do extra curriculars that can help your college resume shine.
When it comes time to apply for college, start working on your applications early, like a year in advance, and get every educated intelligent person you know to review your essays. Having folks review my essays really helped me improve them, and I think contributed to me getting into my school. I asked some teachers, and my pastor. Work with whoever you can to make those the best they can be.
Relax and trust yourself. You are young and have a bright future ahead. Congratulate yourself on being here to ask questions. It's ok if you don't go into a tech field. Try to learn more about yourself and what you like to do, and match that with ways you could make money. Most people's journeys aren't linear, we have many bumps and winding roads along the way. Good luck!
Working in tech is a great career path, it can give you opportunities to explore things you're genuinely interested in, while still making a great income. In general, if you go for becoming a developer/coding or information systems over information technology or IT, I think you're more likely to find interesting work that pays more as well.
In general, I think the tech field is great if you like thinking about how systems work, if you enjoy logic or math, if you like creating organization systems or defining rules for how things should work, and if you like puzzles. A lot of what I spend my time doing is figuring out how an app should work to make it not-confusing for my users, then writing requirements and working with developers to ensure a quality product is built.
I agree going to college for a 4 year degree is what I'd recommend as a starting point. You can take classes to figure out what interests you most, and how technical you want to be. For me, writing code is too technical for me, but I love defining requirements for how a system or code needs to function.
Out of college I became a systems analyst and made $55k per year, by switching jobs and negotiating salaries, I now make $155k per year 8 years later as a product owner. Developers will tend to make more I think. I feel very blessed that I found something I like and that pays very well.
Nicole recommends the following next steps:
Bill Valles
Technical Solutions Architect
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Bill’s Answer
Now is the perfect time for you to start thinking about these kinds of questions as you start considering what kind of career or job opportunities you want to pursue in the future. Middle school is a good place to begin looking around at ways to kind of gain focus on the subjects you might find you love and enjoy learning more about.
As you develop an interest in a subject or career choice, you become more open to learning and finding opportunities wherever you are---middle school, high school, and college --- to really start moving towards your career goals.
If jobs in the technical fields (and there are ALOT of jobs in that field) are what interest you, that is great! Take the time while you are middle school to start finding out what about the technical field interests you. It is an exciting career to get into once you find something you feel good about and that you are really interested in. Don't feel like you have to rush to make a decision right now, though. Take your time, see what is out there and is offered at your Middle School for anything that you might feel interests you and motivates you to learn more.
Stay motivated, stay learning, and stay moving forward! You're doing great and your patience and efforts to learn will be rewarded.
As you develop an interest in a subject or career choice, you become more open to learning and finding opportunities wherever you are---middle school, high school, and college --- to really start moving towards your career goals.
If jobs in the technical fields (and there are ALOT of jobs in that field) are what interest you, that is great! Take the time while you are middle school to start finding out what about the technical field interests you. It is an exciting career to get into once you find something you feel good about and that you are really interested in. Don't feel like you have to rush to make a decision right now, though. Take your time, see what is out there and is offered at your Middle School for anything that you might feel interests you and motivates you to learn more.
Stay motivated, stay learning, and stay moving forward! You're doing great and your patience and efforts to learn will be rewarded.
Hi Bill, great encouragement! Can you provide Angel with some of your insight on working within the technological field?
Sharyn Grose, Admin
Matt Buchman
Software Architect
22
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Matt’s Answer
Hey there, Angel! I'm in the fascinating world of technology, working as a Computer Programmer. It's a thrilling job that's all about problem-solving and analysis - kind of like solving a puzzle, but with code!
We programmers usually work in teams, each of us focusing on different sections of the program. It's like a well-oiled machine, with everyone playing their part. We have managers and project leads who guide us, assigning different tasks and providing a roadmap to deliver the final product to the user. Imagine being part of the team that delivers the next big video game!
The work is exhilarating and demands commitment. But the rewards are worth it - the satisfaction of seeing a product you helped create being used, and the camaraderie you share with your co-workers.
Most of us spend our days in an office, though some lucky ones get to work from home. As for qualifications, most Computer Programmers have a 4-year degree in Computer Science or a related field from college. So, if you're thinking about joining us, that's a good place to start!
We programmers usually work in teams, each of us focusing on different sections of the program. It's like a well-oiled machine, with everyone playing their part. We have managers and project leads who guide us, assigning different tasks and providing a roadmap to deliver the final product to the user. Imagine being part of the team that delivers the next big video game!
The work is exhilarating and demands commitment. But the rewards are worth it - the satisfaction of seeing a product you helped create being used, and the camaraderie you share with your co-workers.
Most of us spend our days in an office, though some lucky ones get to work from home. As for qualifications, most Computer Programmers have a 4-year degree in Computer Science or a related field from college. So, if you're thinking about joining us, that's a good place to start!