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How will I know if I am going in the right direction career wise?
I want to do something in technology, but I am still unsure of what I can do specifically.
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11 answers
Updated
Madison’s Answer
That is an amazing question and I thought the same very beginning in my career. Have you looked into getting into tech sales? You could start off as a Sales Development Rep. The best thing about tech sales is the career path opportunities that comes from it.
Thank you, Madison!
Kaitlyn
Updated
Rurika’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn! It's fantastic that you're interested in technology! There are so many different fields you can explore, like medicine, machinery, information technology, transportation, and energy. You might have heard of terms like fintech (financial technology) and govtech (government technology), which combine different industries with technology.
Think about which area excites you the most and start exploring it. It's perfectly okay to change your interests along the way. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey and have fun learning! 😊
Think about which area excites you the most and start exploring it. It's perfectly okay to change your interests along the way. The most important thing is to enjoy the journey and have fun learning! 😊
Thank you so much, Rurika!
Kaitlyn
John Easton CEng FIET FBCS CITP
Design large computer systems for companies
35
Answers
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn
Very simply... do you enjoy what you are doing? If you do, you're probably in the right place (or somewhere close).
One little experiment for you to try. Make two lists:
1) things you like doing or things you like working with / understanding.
2) things you don't like doing and/or don't want to work with.
In many cases knowing what you don't like or don't want to do will be more helpful in ruling things out and hence narrowing down where you might want to spend more time looking.
Very simply... do you enjoy what you are doing? If you do, you're probably in the right place (or somewhere close).
One little experiment for you to try. Make two lists:
1) things you like doing or things you like working with / understanding.
2) things you don't like doing and/or don't want to work with.
In many cases knowing what you don't like or don't want to do will be more helpful in ruling things out and hence narrowing down where you might want to spend more time looking.
Updated
Tara’s Answer
Hello there! You'll be thrilled to know that numerous companies offer rotation programs for interns within their tech departments. It's a fantastic idea to seek out such a company and commit to an internship for a few summers. This will help you discover the perfect fit for your unique skills and interests. Plus, many of these companies also provide 'stretch opportunities', letting you work beyond your usual tasks. This is another excellent way to uncover what truly resonates with you. Lastly, consider seeking a mentor in the technology field. They can be invaluable in helping you identify and seize these beneficial opportunities. So, go ahead and explore, learn, and grow in the world of technology!
Updated
Kennedy’s Answer
Hello Kaitlyn, fantastic inquiry! I'd strongly suggest you delve into some exploration about the various professions available in the tech sector. Get familiar with the diverse career paths that exist and then aim to connect with individuals already thriving in those roles. Don't hesitate to reach out to your circle of friends, family, educators, or even professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. Engage them in conversations about what they love about their jobs, what ignites their passion for technology, and the kind of challenges they encounter regularly. The more insights you gather about the careers that pique your interest, the more likely you are to make a career choice that perfectly aligns with your abilities and passions.
Updated
Deeshani’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn,
If you're unsure about your specific path in technology, it's okay to take time exploring different areas. You'll know you're heading in the right direction when you start feeling excited and motivated by what you're learning or working on. Look for signs that you enjoy the tasks, like problem-solving or creating solutions, and that you feel a sense of growth and accomplishment.
To narrow down your options, try experimenting with different areas like programming, data science, or cybersecurity through online courses or projects. Pay attention to what excites you most and where you feel you’re improving. As you gain experience, you'll get a clearer sense of what fits your interests and strengths, helping you decide if you're on the right career path.
All the best!
If you're unsure about your specific path in technology, it's okay to take time exploring different areas. You'll know you're heading in the right direction when you start feeling excited and motivated by what you're learning or working on. Look for signs that you enjoy the tasks, like problem-solving or creating solutions, and that you feel a sense of growth and accomplishment.
To narrow down your options, try experimenting with different areas like programming, data science, or cybersecurity through online courses or projects. Pay attention to what excites you most and where you feel you’re improving. As you gain experience, you'll get a clearer sense of what fits your interests and strengths, helping you decide if you're on the right career path.
All the best!
Updated
Robert’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn, that's a great question. I think there are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether that career you're on is the "right" one. For starters, the current and potential compensation is going to play a major role in determining whether or not your career path will fulfill your financial needs/desires. This can often times be difficult to ascertain though, as finding the ceiling of a certain position can be ambiguous or just hard to find. You'll also need to determine how important the financial side of a job is for you, as sometimes a lower paying, yet more enjoyable job can worth it.
The next thing I would consider is the job itself. Does it align with your pre-existing skillsets? Is it enjoyable? Do you enjoy the other people you may be working with? These are all aspects to heavily analyze when deciding if this is the right career or company to be working for. Often times, you can really enjoy the work itself, but maybe that specific company isn't the right fit for you. And all it may take is a change of scenery to get yourself on the right path and making yourself feel more comfortable with your career path choice. But ultimately, I think it's important to give any career or company a fair chance, to really find out if it's the right fit for you. Remember, you can always pivot and change careers or companies at any time. But it's usually more difficult, if not impossible, to go backwards.
The next thing I would consider is the job itself. Does it align with your pre-existing skillsets? Is it enjoyable? Do you enjoy the other people you may be working with? These are all aspects to heavily analyze when deciding if this is the right career or company to be working for. Often times, you can really enjoy the work itself, but maybe that specific company isn't the right fit for you. And all it may take is a change of scenery to get yourself on the right path and making yourself feel more comfortable with your career path choice. But ultimately, I think it's important to give any career or company a fair chance, to really find out if it's the right fit for you. Remember, you can always pivot and change careers or companies at any time. But it's usually more difficult, if not impossible, to go backwards.
Updated
Neha’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn,
I am glad that you are thinking about career planning and exploring the options beforehand.
"Career in technology" itself is very broad term. "Computer Science" is one part of Technology, but there are other industries like Electrical, Electronics, Animations, Aviation, Navy, Healthcare, Government security and various fields where specific technology is used and can be seen as Career. To explore some insights, I would post the same question here but specific to industry and approaching expert from different fields understanding technical and career prospects. If you want to do something in 'computer technology' but unsure about the areas, I will recommend to do initial computer science coursework or opt for foundational courses in school to understand the basic concept of "computers" and "Information Technology" fields. The foundational knowledge can help you understand the background, applications and initial prep work for career development. The standard computer science courses involves architecture, foundation, electronics, mathematics, algorithms which then transitioned into application oriented, advance coursework.
I had submitted similar answer in past regarding "computer science specialization" and skillset requirement and thought to share it the same.
The realm of computer science is vast and the skills you need will largely depend on what career path you're drawn to. At the heart of it all, you'll need a keen interest in technology, a knack for logical reasoning, a good grasp of mathematics, and the ability to code. To lay a solid foundation, academic courses in Algorithms, Operating Systems, Data Structures, Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, Computer Applications, Quality Assurance, Networking and Security can be immensely helpful.
There's a whole world of specializations to explore, including:
- Application/Web Development/Software Development
- Computer Security and Networking
- Hardware/Integration/Quality Assurance
- Data Science/AI/Machine Learning
- Research and Development
If software engineering or application design and development piques your interest, you'll dive into the intricacies of computer languages, coding, user applications, and database programming. Starting with Python or Java can help you understand the basics of software development. As you progress, you can specialize in areas like Full Stack, Database, UX, UI, Front End, Back End, DevOps, Automation Engineering, and Performance.
To get started, check out this free course from HarvardX online, which offers a comprehensive introduction to computer science: https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science. Additionally, FreeCodeCamp is a fantastic resource for learning different programming languages: https://www.freecodecamp.org/.
If you're more inclined towards security and networking, there are a multitude of specializations and certifications you can pursue. For those interested in device learning, operating systems, admin, support, quality, and testing, there are also numerous certifications and exams that can open up exciting career opportunities.
Hope that will help you get some clarity about your interest.
I am glad that you are thinking about career planning and exploring the options beforehand.
"Career in technology" itself is very broad term. "Computer Science" is one part of Technology, but there are other industries like Electrical, Electronics, Animations, Aviation, Navy, Healthcare, Government security and various fields where specific technology is used and can be seen as Career. To explore some insights, I would post the same question here but specific to industry and approaching expert from different fields understanding technical and career prospects. If you want to do something in 'computer technology' but unsure about the areas, I will recommend to do initial computer science coursework or opt for foundational courses in school to understand the basic concept of "computers" and "Information Technology" fields. The foundational knowledge can help you understand the background, applications and initial prep work for career development. The standard computer science courses involves architecture, foundation, electronics, mathematics, algorithms which then transitioned into application oriented, advance coursework.
I had submitted similar answer in past regarding "computer science specialization" and skillset requirement and thought to share it the same.
The realm of computer science is vast and the skills you need will largely depend on what career path you're drawn to. At the heart of it all, you'll need a keen interest in technology, a knack for logical reasoning, a good grasp of mathematics, and the ability to code. To lay a solid foundation, academic courses in Algorithms, Operating Systems, Data Structures, Computer Architecture, Digital Electronics, Computer Applications, Quality Assurance, Networking and Security can be immensely helpful.
There's a whole world of specializations to explore, including:
- Application/Web Development/Software Development
- Computer Security and Networking
- Hardware/Integration/Quality Assurance
- Data Science/AI/Machine Learning
- Research and Development
If software engineering or application design and development piques your interest, you'll dive into the intricacies of computer languages, coding, user applications, and database programming. Starting with Python or Java can help you understand the basics of software development. As you progress, you can specialize in areas like Full Stack, Database, UX, UI, Front End, Back End, DevOps, Automation Engineering, and Performance.
To get started, check out this free course from HarvardX online, which offers a comprehensive introduction to computer science: https://pll.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science. Additionally, FreeCodeCamp is a fantastic resource for learning different programming languages: https://www.freecodecamp.org/.
If you're more inclined towards security and networking, there are a multitude of specializations and certifications you can pursue. For those interested in device learning, operating systems, admin, support, quality, and testing, there are also numerous certifications and exams that can open up exciting career opportunities.
Hope that will help you get some clarity about your interest.
Updated
IBM’s Answer
Numerous chances will come your way throughout your professional path. The route to your final destination is never a direct one from your starting point. Stay inquisitive and venture out. Show bravery and dare to step beyond your comfort zone. It's an exciting journey filled with endless possibilities.
Updated
IBM’s Answer
Hey Kaitlyn, personally I believe as long as you're having fun and making sure you're responsibilities are being handled by you. You're doing great!
Choose a job that sis fulfilling to you and something that challenges you everyday. Its as simple as that xD
Choose a job that sis fulfilling to you and something that challenges you everyday. Its as simple as that xD
Updated
Dayna’s Answer
Hi Kaitlyn! Agree with the above responses as well, but I'd also say that there's no absolute right answer with careers - we just want to make the best next choice. There will be so many twists and turns throughout your journey, so I believe it's super important to have a goal in mind while also opening yourself up to the possibility of deviations. In 10 years, you might be in a job that didn't exist today! If you can get to the bottom of what matters to you, what you want to make a difference in, or what skills you want to use, you can keep evolving with the opportunities in front of you and the changing needs of the world around you.