Start Your Tech Career: A Guide to Entry-Level Jobs, Skills, and Growth Paths

I was a late bloomer in the computer world. I didn’t have a Texas Instruments setup, I didn’t post to bulletin boards. My first computer ran Windows 98, but I was familiar with Windows 3.1.1 and DOS, having used them at work. It was that computer that got me interested in technology, but I didn’t know where to go to learn about computers, other than working on my own machine. When I dug deep enough to start getting some answers, it became obvious that there were two distinct computer technology paths, and they weren’t the same at all: Information Technology (hardware, software, networks), and Programming. That’s not to say that you couldn’t do both, but they were separate and distinct, and that was about all there were at the time. Writing websites was essentially a programming function.

Things have changed now, and yet they haven’t. There are a lot more computer-related jobs, but they still can be grouped under either the IT label or the Programming label. There may be some, like Data Analysis that sorta don’t fall there, but yeah, they kinda do, or else they’re classified as some other field altogether. What I’ve put together here is a guide to getting into a technology job. I’ve listed a bunch and grouped them first by experience tier, then within each type of job, I’ve provided the education required, education preferred, where it can lead to, how you can find the jobs, and how you can get experience to get the job so you can get job experience.

Entry-Level Jobs

1. Computer Support Specialist

   Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Associate’s degree in IT or computer science; CompTIA A+ certification

   Career Path: Can lead to roles such as network administrator or IT manager with additional training and certifications.

   Job Search Resources: Company websites, LinkedIn, Indeed, and tech-specific job boards like Dice.

   How to get this job without actual job experience:  

Volunteer Work: Offer tech support services to non-profit organizations or small businesses that need help but cannot afford professional services.

Internships: Look for internship opportunities in IT departments across various industries.

Personal Projects: Set up a home network and manage it, or build and maintain personal computers.

Certifications: Acquire certifications like CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Certified: IT Professional which include practical components that mimic job-related tasks.

2. Web Developer

 How to get this job without actual job experience:  

Freelance Projects: Start taking on freelance projects through platforms like Upwork or Freelancer to build a portfolio.

Open Source Contributions: Contribute to open source projects on platforms like GitHub to gain real-world coding experience and collaboration.

Bootcamps: Attend coding bootcamps that offer hands-on projects and often provide career placement services.

Build a Portfolio: Develop your own website or web applications that demonstrate your coding skills, design sense, and understanding of web technologies.

3. IT Technician

   Minimum Education: Postsecondary nondegree award or certificate

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in IT or computer science; certifications like Network+ or Security+

   Career Path: Potential advancement to network engineer or cybersecurity specialist.

   Job Search Resources: Local business listings, LinkedIn, and general job boards like Monster and Indeed.

How to get this job without actual job experience:  

Home Lab: Set up a home lab to practice setting up servers, troubleshooting hardware issues, or experimenting with different operating systems.

Part-Time Jobs or Internships: Even part-time roles in retail electronics stores (like Geek Squad at Best Buy) provide practical experience with common technical issues.

Online Tutorials and Courses: Complete courses that offer practical, hands-on labs and simulations in areas like networking, hardware repair, and software troubleshooting.

Volunteer to Help With Tech Support: Many schools and community centers need help maintaining their computer systems and networks.

For each of these entry-level positions, the key is to engage in practical activities that are as similar as possible to the tasks of the job you want. Documenting these experiences clearly and effectively on a resume can demonstrate your aptitude for the work. Building a portfolio of your work helps prospective employers see that you enjoy the processes you’ll be involved in. Through your activities, posting your experiences on a blog or participating in a group where you share these experiences can put you into contact with people who will be willing to give you your first shot. Additionally, providing volunteer services is an amazing way to network with decision makers or with people who are in regular contact with decision makers.

Second-Tier Jobs

1. Network Administrator

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in network administration, computer science, or related field

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

   Career Path: Could move into network architecture or IT director roles.

   Job Search Resources: Cisco Careers, CompTIA Career Center, and specialized networking forums and job boards.

2. Software Developer

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or related field

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Master’s degree; specialized certifications in software development frameworks

   Career Path: Can progress to senior developer, software architect, or CTO positions.

   Job Search Resources: LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList (for startup jobs), and industry-specific job boards such as Stack Overflow Jobs.

3. Cybersecurity Analyst

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or related field

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Master’s degree in cybersecurity; certifications like Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

   Career Path: May advance to roles such as chief security officer or consultant.

   Job Search Resources: CyberSecJobs.com, InfoSec Jobs, and professional networking events and conferences.

Third-Tier Jobs

1. IT Manager

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT management, computer science, or related field

   Preferred Education/Certifications: MBA or Master’s in IT management; Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

   Career Path: Potential to become IT director, VP of IT, or CIO.

   Job Search Resources: Indeed, Glassdoor, and executive search agencies specializing in IT leadership roles.

2. Data Scientist

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or related field

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Master’s degree or PhD; certifications in data science, big data technologies

   Career Path: Opportunities to move into senior data scientist roles or management positions in analytics.

   Job Search Resources: Kaggle Jobs, DataJobs.com, LinkedIn, and academic industry collaboration boards.

3. Cloud Architect

   Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or cloud computing

   Preferred Education/Certifications: Certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

   Career Path: Can advance to senior architect positions or IT strategic roles.

   Job Search Resources: AWS Careers, Microsoft Careers, Google Cloud Careers, and specialized cloud technology job boards.

A career in technology is as fulfilling as any other, depending on your interest, aptitude, and opportunities. However, you have to realize before you embark, that this ship is always in motion. I hope this guide has given you valuable information, and if I’ve left anything out, drop a comment and we’ll discuss it.