Thread by @TechWriterNinja

Working in #technology is the most direct way out of poverty.

What does that mean? Where do you start? How hard is it?

A thread on working in tech, the different kinds of jobs you can do in tech, and what it takes to make the transition. IT profs: weigh in, newbs: ask ?s /1

#TheComeUpInTech/2: Information Technology (IT) jobs are in-demand, high-paying, and there are skill shortages of for lots of these roles. The reason for the shortages are that tech companies are doing so well, they're growing fast.

Every company is an IT company now.

#TheComeUpInTech/3: Every company has a website, an app, data, and other things only associated with tech companies. Established professionals learning IT skills can pivot to a different role in your industry, or add a new dimension to your skillset. Create something new.

#TheComeUpInTech/4: Students and blue-collar professionals, IT is approachable stuff, especially coding. And learning to dabble in code can really fun too! Building things to solve problems is how you make money, your education matters less than your ideas and work ethic.

#TheComeUpInTech/5: STEP0-Ok, let's get this thing started. First, I'll talk about exploring. Then, I'll give some practical advice about how to begin this journey. First things fist, nothing matters unless you write it down! Get a good paper notebook for this work #bulletjournal

#TheComeUpInTech/6: STEP1-Know yourself. If you don't think working in tech is for you, but could use that tech money, that's ok. Be real with yourself though. If you can slug it out learning to understand how things work, you can still make it in tech and earn a good living...

#TheComeUpInTech/7: STEP1(cont)-Write down a goal, or multiple goals. Make sure you know what you're working for. "Get out of debt" or "Love my job" are legit, but be real with why you want to do this. This will be useful later in life, even if it changes.

#TheComeUpInTech/8: STEP2-Know your barriers. You also need access to a comp & internet. Your own comp is pref, but you could even start at school or library. Just make sure that's part of your plan, access.

#TheComeUpInTech/9: STEP2(cont)-Write down what could stop you, or where you might need help/struggle. Until you give it a name you can't really deal with it. Again, honesty with yourself is crucial. If it's money, that's ok. Disability? Not a dealbreaker. Name your challenge.

#TheComeUpInTech/10: STEP3-Know your skills. If you've got talent in something, use tech skills to compliment those talents, not replace them. There are lots of different roles in tech, and using your talents keeps you motivated and engaged, helps ensure success.

#TheComeUpInTech/11: STEP3(cont)-List your talents. Sometimes your experience is your talent, but not always. Can you draw? Eye for design? Don't discount that! Tech needs that too! Good writer? Yes! Sales? Perfect. What would you do for free if $ was no object. Clues are there.

#TheComeUpInTech/12: STEP3(cont)-If you've got talent in something, use tech skills to compliment those talents, not replace them. There are lots of different roles in tech, and using your talents keeps you motivated and engaged, helps ensure success.

#TheComeUpInTech/13: STEP 4-Get to know tech. Learn of career paths in tech, & find one that's right for you. Here are a few of the roles I've worked with before & stats from @businessinsider

businessinsider.com/it-jobs-inform…

Reply to add more, or ?s/deets specific to a role.

#TheComeUpInTech/14: SOFTWARE DEV/ENGINEER
Tech isn't all code, but coding is the a fast/direct way to break in, and it's fun. You can learn to code online, by yourself, 4 free.

Future importance: High
Hiring difficulty: Very low
Long-term growth: Medium
Median income: $82,240

#TheComeUpInTech/15: CYBER SECURITY/INFOSEC
All about keeping networks and data secure, including learning to hack to find problems, and protecting against hackers.

Future importance: High
Hiring difficulty: Very low
Long-term growth: High
Median income: $74,360

#TheComeUpInTech/16: SUPPORT ANALYST
8% percent of tech is support. They provide help/advice to consumers.

(wasn't on BI's list)
Median income: $53,470, no Bachelor's degree required.
bls.gov/ooh/computer-a…

#TheComeUpInTech/17: DESIGN-RELATED
UX Design, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Service Design. the list goes on and on. Whether you have an eye for aesthetics, or love creating experiences. This field varies a bunch; there are many ways designers are used in tech (more👇🏽)

#TheComeUpInTech/18: WRITING/COMMUNICATION
I'm a #TechWriter by trade. I have an English degree. I've been working in tech my entire career, software for half of it. I dabbled in code, but nothing formal.

I wrote an article about it: techwhirl.com/where-the-jobs…

#TheComeUpInTech/19: PRODUCT MANAGER
are you the ideas person? Then this might be the track for you. PMs look at market trends and pick what programmers should work on. This is a lot about analysing data, and a lot about meeting the demands of the people you report to.

#TheComeUpInTech/20: PROJECT/PROGRAM MANAGER
There are different demands and terminology used as ProjMg/ProgMg, but the goals at the same. Coordination, cohesion, tracking, and reporting. But knowing the software development life cycle is the primary difference here.

#TheComeUpInTech/21: ALL THE OTHER ROLES I FORGOT TO ADD
I'm never going to remember all of them, but this list was just to get you thinking about it. Drop some more career ideas here 👇🏽

@businessinsider had a good article on this too: businessinsider.com/tech-jobs-for-…

#TheComeUpInTech/22: GET STARTED
The first thing you can do is start thinking about this, find a note taking app and keep track of your thoughts and progress. Try #100DaysOfCode and share it on Twitter! Find a community that can support you.

#TheComeUpInTech/23 (LAST ONE!): Thanks for reading this far! And if this thread helped or inspired you, leave a comment and let me know. And if you need help, or have other questions, add that here too!