4 Ways To Grow In A Tech Role In 2022

Opportunities abound for those with the right tech background. Whether you’re brand new to working in tech or a long-time veteran, it’s important to stay teachable as a technology professional. Here’s a bit of background on why you need training and 4 ways you can grow your tech knowledge in 2022.

With every new technological advancement there becomes a need to learn how to adapt to it and thrive when those changes occur. Embracing new concepts and looking for opportunities to grow is key to staying relevant and marketable in the tech industry post pandemic.

Some professionals are required by their employer to stay up to date on certifications as well as the continuing education a certification requires as a safety precaution, since many IT professionals handle sensitive and important information, like cybersecurity. It’s important to consider any requirements you may need to complete to be compliant in your current position. Talk to your immediate supervisor and discuss some of your long-term goals – many departments will have a suggested career path with resources already vetted for you.

Read on to learn 4 ways to grow your career in technology in the new year.

If you’re currently working in the tech space, you’re likely familiar or proficient in a few programming languages and frameworks like Python, JavaScript, PHP stacks, among others. Around the globe people everywhere are looking at ways to make tech better and faster. The need for well-trained critical thinkers is growing every day.

Bootcamps have become a popular option for those interested in entering the tech industry without committing to another bachelor's degree. Bootcamps come in a variety of formats, and most attendees can learn an incredible amount of information in a shorter time span than in a traditional four-year institution.  

When enrolling in a coding bootcamp you’ll have options to choose from based on your individual educational needs. Be sure when weighing your options that you consider how much time you must dedicate to your bootcamp and what you want to achieve upon completion.

Below are bootcamp format options to consider before you enroll:                   

• Full Time– If you can dedicate a lot of time to learning and you want to acquire a skill quickly, then full time might be what you need. Full time bootcamps typically last 17 weeks with a set schedule and in-person instruction. This format works great for those who want to learn a complicated coding language or framework quickly. In person, an instructor and peers can help brainstorm problems and collaborate for a fully immersive experience for the passionate learner.
• Part Time– Part time bootcamps typically last 34 weeks meeting in the evenings and on weekends. Many working professionals take advantage of part time bootcamps because they can accommodate their work schedule. For some learners, pondering complicated concepts over a longer period is more beneficial for their learning style.
• In Person Instruction– For some, learning from an instructor is vital to their learning process. In person tech bootcamps meet at a designated location and are typically structured like a classroom. An instructor is on hand to help guide students through complicated concepts in real time. This is a great option for learners who need more structure, focus and assistance.
• Online– If you’re a self-starter and enjoy learning or working alone, an online bootcamp might be perfect for you. Online bootcamp can be taught over a set period or they can be self-paced. Many online bootcamps provide access to a mentor or instructor and a student community to share ideas and collaborate.

If intense immersive bootcamps aren’t your style, a certificate program may be more your speed. IT certifications are a great way to verify your knowledge and add a new skill to your resume. 

Certification training can vary depending on your discipline, however most will require coursework and testing to be completed. The more advanced the certificate, the stricter the requirements for completion, so make sure you meet all the criteria and have the appropriate experience for the certificate you’re testing for prior to enrollment. 

Most certificate providers give students access to practice tests, study material and an instructor to help guide you through the material. IT certifications can cost up to a few hundred dollars for each certification. Each discipline has required certifications that you need to acquire before others can be attained. Be sure to discuss your long-term goals with the certificate provider to guide you through the process for optimal success.

Below are some of the more popular certificate programs for beginners:

• Certified Information Security Manager
• Microsoft Certified Engineer
• Cisco Certified Network Associate

As you grow in your career, work experience allows you to attain certifications of higher-level proficiencies. Certificates are a great way to stay focused on your career training over time and prove to employers you’re worth the high end of the pay scale.

Online learning platforms have come a long way in the last decade. Online resources have begun partnering with universities, trade schools and tech giants to provide industry insight and knowledge to the masses. By working together to educate the public, companies are better preparing the next generation of technology professionals to enter the workforce.

With these on demand courses you can dip your toe in a new industry with no long-term commitment by taking an introductory course on a topic you have interest in. We’ve listed a few of the most popular resources below:

Coursera – This online learning platform is affiliated with over 200 colleges and universities offering accredited and non-accredited IT focused courses. E-learning allows students to learn topics like CSS from html5. 

edX – Founded by Harvard and MIT, edX has over 2,600 online courses from 140 institutions. Partners like Amazon and Google provide real life case studies and access to a variety of professional resources for web developers and web design. 

LinkedIn Learning (Formerly Lynda.com) – Their database includes over 16,000 courses spanning a variety of topics, from professional development to IT. Some courses are accredited and others not. Be sure to read the descriptions closely before enrolling.

Udemy – A robust online peer to peer learning platform, Udemy offers over 183,000 video courses from a wide range of topics and training courses.

Skillshare – Another affordable peer to peer subscription-based learning platform with thousands of training programs and subject matter to choose from at an affordable price.

Tech conferences are a great way to stay up to date on changes in the industry. Companies use conferences and expos to announce major advancements and product updates. Oftentimes you’re able to interact with their products and ask questions in real-time, gaining valuable insight that could take weeks to reach the general public.

Another key component of attending a conference is networking. Event planners often organize activities to encourage networking and collaboration. Some conferences provide break out rooms for pitch sessions and discussion. Recruiters use tech conferences as a place to find quality candidates for potential employment and investors are often on the lookout for the next employee prospect.

These events provide you with useful information and access to industry professionals that can help fuel your next innovation. Sometimes just the energy of like-minded people will leave you inspired and energized in your new career.  

If you work in the field of technology, you’ve probably been eyeing new concepts that you would like to learn, so let the new year inspire you to get growing. Take some time to think about where you would like to be next year and what it will take to get there.

Try out a few online courses to sharpen your skills. If you’re ready to commit full time to revamping your career, look into bootcamps that will help you reach your goals and gain a new position. Whatever you decide, there are great resources available to help you put your best foot forward.