How to Get Started in Technology: A Career Guide

But technology is truly everywhere; 72 percent of businesses have adopted artificial intelligence (AI), up from 55 percent in 2023. By 2028, more than 50 percent of enterprises will be in the cloud. According to IBM, a data breach costs a company an average of $4.45 million, making cybersecurity professionals more in demand than ever. There are more than 310 million smartphone users in the United States, according to Statista — all of whom use multiple applications.

Because of its prevalence and impact, technology offers plenty of job opportunities as well. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects technology occupations to grow faster than the average by 2032. Today, the top in-demand tech jobs include systems security manager, network/cloud architect, and applications architect.

Clearly, the outlook for tech careers is strong. But is technology a good career path for you?

We consulted Heather Hinton, chief information security officer at PagerDuty who also teaches cybersecurity courses at Harvard Extension School, for her insights on how to get into tech. Whether you are considering a career pivot or are just starting out, this guide will help you assess your interest and create a plan.

Is a Career in Technology Right For You?

As with any career exploration, you should start by evaluating your career goals and interests and whether they align with a career in technology.

Hinton suggests asking the following questions to guide your path forward through all the opportunities: 

• How do I want to make a difference?
• What kind of company do I want to work for?
• How do I want to apply my skills in an organization?

Maybe you want to learn AI so that you can help manufacturing companies become more efficient. Or maybe you want to learn web development or programming langauges so that you can help start-ups create a more engaging online presence.

“Make sure you’ve got something that will make you stand out,” Hinton says. “It’s not just, ‘I use AI, therefore, you should hire me.’ It’s: ‘I have a background in AI or data science or cybersecurity or web development. These are the things I know you are suffering from or that you are struggling with. And here’s how I can help you.’”

Think about your interests and personal attributes, too. Those most poised for successful careers in tech, according to Hinton, are excellent problem solvers, good communicators, and curious professionals committed to continual learning.

Courses of Study and Education

While technology is a very broad area in which to focus, there are a few in-demand categories where innovation is booming today:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) uses machine learning to problem solve similar to human cognition, with broad applications across many industries.
• Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting an organization’s networks and IT systems from attack.
• Computer science and coding focuses on computer systems, hardware, networks, and software development.
• Data science is the practice of applying statistical analysis to data to gain relevant insights from that data.
• Digital media focuses on designing experiences for the web, video, games, or other digital mediums.

Whether it’s a class, certificate program, or degree, education will help you build the skills to break into tech. Hinton suggests exploring options that align with your goals. 

A useful approach is to find out what common technical skills are listed in your ideal job postings and build your focus from there. This way, you can start building out courses that align with the experience you need.

Harvard Extension School offerings

Gaining Experience in Tech

In addition to your courses, start looking for opportunities for real-world connections and experience in the areas of tech you want to enter, both inside and outside your current workplace.

Be prepared for continuous learning

Technology rarely stays static, so be prepared for continued education to learn about emerging technologies and to keep your skills and knowledge current.

By pursuing continuing education, you’re demonstrating that continuous learning mindset to future employers — which is especially key in tech roles.

Find opportunities at your workplace

If you’re currently employed, explore opportunities at your workplace, where you already know the systems and the organization is already dedicated to your success.

Hinton suggests having conversations with the managers and senior leaders in a tech-focused department and seeking mentorship and coaching to build relationships. 

“The hiring managers get to know you. The teams get to know you. You get to see what they’re doing,” she says. “Ask if you can attend a weekly staff meeting or status meeting so that you can learn what they’re doing. And then you slowly build up your reputation. As you learn all of this, you can actually start to contribute.”

When it comes time to hire for a new role, you’ve already established yourself as a valuable candidate

Networking and industry exposure

Technology makes it easy to connect with others, and you can use this to your advantage as you begin networking. Follow tech professionals and leaders in your area of interest on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Subscribe to informative blogs or newsletters. Attend industry webinars or conferences (in-person or virtually) to learn more from industry leaders.

Find a mentor

Whether a tech leader in your own company or someone you connect with on LinkedIn, a mentor can help you navigate your career journey. 

Your support network can include anyone who is committed to helping you succeed, whether family and friends or a peer whose career you aspire to.

How to Build Your Technology Experience and Portfolio

Even if you’re still working full time in another area, you can prepare for your upcoming career change by gaining applicable experiences today.

Taking a course with a capstone project will help you build your portfolio. In the Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Program at Harvard Extension School, Hinton guides students through building their own application and detailing in a paper the idea, budget, and market for the application, as well as the plan for developing and securing it. Such a project demonstrates that students can take a product through an entire lifecycle.

You might get involved in open-source projects or volunteer — especially for nonprofits that may have smaller budgets to dedicate to industry professionals. 

“It’s all about the quality and the relevance of what you’re doing, because what you’re showing is you’ve got that passion, you’ve got that interest, you’ve got the continual learning,” Hinton says.

Additional certifications

Depending on the area of technology you want to pursue, you may need a professional certification to stand out.

For example, tech professionals pursuing a career in cybersecurity could earn credentials like the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. Those interested in database or systems management can obtain the CompTIA DataSys+ credential. Or you can become certified on specific platforms, like Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud.

Job Seeking and Interviewing

Once you have the experience and confidence to begin looking for a role in technology, start with your current workplace if you want to stay there. Department managers are often eager to hire internally, and while you may still be learning, already having an understanding of the business systems, processes, and vision can help make that transition easier.

However, you may choose to look at outside tech companies or in a different industry. If you haven’t interviewed in a while, you may need to brush up on your interview skills as well.

You may feel under-prepared for your interview because you don’t have a resume of tech-related experience. However, look for ways your past experience can translate into future experience. 

You may have never managed a software development process before. But if you’ve managed an event, you can include that experience to demonstrate how you’d translate those skills to your new role.

As with any job search, it may take some time to find the right role. The good thing is that you’ve already done the work to know that a career in technology is right for you, which will help move you forward.

Next Steps in Tech

Technology plays a key role in defining and developing the world around us. You can start your career journey by determining what technology you’re passionate about and in which industry or areas you want to make an impact. Network with others and if you’re currently employed, seek out tech leaders in your own organization.

Begin your educational journey by finding a course, certificate, or graduate program today that best suits your goals and aspirations.

Technology FAQs

Where do I start to pivot into technology?

First, determine what you want to get out of a career in technology. Don’t just jump into a focus area because it’s a hot new trend. Instead, evaluate what excites you, and how you want to use that technology to help individuals, businesses, or industries solve problems. This will help you determine whether a job in tech is right for you and what education and experience you need to pursue to launch your new career.

What areas of technology should I pursue?

Look at areas of technology that interest you and where you can see using that technology to help others — like learning cybersecurity because you want to help nonprofits stay safe. Areas of focus include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, computer science and coding, data science, and digital media.

What is the current job market in tech?

As technological innovation accelerates, jobs in tech will be widely in-demand. Organizations across industries are looking for tech professionals to lead innovation and application, including:

• Machine learning engineers or prompt engineers who can help implement AI
• Information security analysts on a cybersecurity team
• Data scientists to make sense of and extract insights
• Knowledgeable software developers and software engineers
• Cloud computing experts

How do I gain experience in a new area of study if I work in a different field?

Start with courses and certifications that can help you move toward your new career goals. But don’t overlook the opportunities, connections, and resources within your current workplace. Have conversations with tech professionals across departments to share your interests. You may get to sit in on meetings, gain a mentor, and be top-of-mind when it comes to new hiring.

What education do I need to pivot into a career in technology?

The amount of education you need will depend on what area or position you want to move into. Some positions or workplaces may only require certifications while others may require a four-year degree. Look at ideal job listings to determine what level of education you’ll need, and get started on your Harvard Extension School journey today!