How to Build a Successful IT Career
You probably just left off a seminar where you met with senior developers in their expensive designers and the exotic simplicity that exudes from all these “techie guys.” They are in their early twenties, and their success story inspires you. Running through your mind are thoughts of whether it would be worth it in the end. You wonder when you will finish debugging your codes and how much you dream of being a DevOps developer or a product manager. You want a successful IT career, but you cannot decipher your UI from UX. If this is you, this career coaching piece is a good place to begin.
As you already know, technology is a diverse and dynamic field with some of the biggest job prospects in the world. The IT field opens doors of opportunities for people across various fields, and anyone can leverage these possibilities to create an amazing career. According to the US Bureau of Labor statistics, the tech job market is expected to grow at approximately 13%. There is also a projected addition of nearly 700,000 jobs from 2020 to 2030. In Canada, the projection is a 5.3% growth in the next five years. With thousands of new entrants yearly, there is room enough for everyone seeking a career path in tech.
So, let us get right to it. How do you build a successful career in IT?
Learn the art of soft skills
The playing ground in tech is leveling and accommodating for new players without the traditional university degree. IBM’s CEO, Ginni Rometty, described “new-collar job” as one requiring soft skills learned through nontraditional education paths. These jobs hire potential over experience. They, however, require technical and soft skills like leadership, teamwork, work ethic, and critical thinking. Hiring managers are on the lookout for these skills, and they can be key to taking you to your next role.
Become a specialist
The tech industry is vast, and many career options are available, from generalist to specialist. The tech world is immense. Researching and understanding various roles and opportunities would help you figure out which career path you want to take. Specialization puts you in a better position than other tech professionals. You may decide to be an expert in React, Angular JS, cyber security, data science, application development, and software development. Specialization in tech positions you for a successful tech career. A specialized profession has lesser competition than a generalized one.
Improve your learning curve
The industry keeps changing every day, and if you are not on the move, you could be stuck in the past when the future kicks in. You have to keep abreast of industry trends and be willing to adapt to changes. Update your knowledge and learn newly implemented industry practices, technological advancements, software and hardware challenges, and solutions. The field is dynamic, so you should upgrade your skills to continue learning irrespective of your level.
Get feedback! This is a great way to keep improving. Feedback would let you know what you are not doing right and what you need to keep doing right.
Pick a career coaching mentor
The value of having a mentor in your IT career cannot be emphasized. You might run into a few problems sometimes. These mentors are veterans who have faced similar challenges and found a way out. Even if they are unable to provide immediate assistance, they are certain to have contacts who can. Elite careers offers you an executive career mentoring service. We have excellent coaches that can provide personalized mentorship to aid your career development.
Be a leader
Tech companies are on the lookout for problem solvers – frontiers of groundbreaking innovations. Being the next big thing in the industry stems from being able to take the initiative and displaying good leadership qualities. The world is full of challenges, and tech has spearheaded major solutions to global problems. Being a leader does not necessarily imply managerial positions. Leadership is the simple act of taking responsibility and fulfilling the ideal team player position.
Build a strong network
Your network can define the level of success of your IT career. From recommendations to inspiration, the benefits are limitless. Your network should contain experts in your field, managers of tech organizations, and fellow professionals at your level. Learn about what others in your network are enthused about in their organizations, and follow their updates on LinkedIn and other relevant social media platforms.
Join communities of like-minded professionals. Volunteer for group projects as it allows you to showcase your skills. This can help for future recommendations for more prominent roles.
It is easy to get lost in the crowd in the tech world, but IT offers you immense potential to make a successful career. Apply these listed principles, develop good habits, be consistent and stay on course to achieve an outstanding career.
Our career coaching services are the best in Canada. You can choose to apply for an executive career coaching which offers you a more personalized approach to your career development. Today, speak with our experts at Elite Careers for a pragmatic career counselling session. We would love to hear from you.
