"A day in the life working at Google."
"How I spend my £100K+ tech salary."
"Come with me to our software launch party on a yacht."
Working in technology is heavily glamorised on social media. And we have to agree–it's a fantastic industry to work in.
However, we want to help you find a realistic and practical path to tech. So, we need to let you know that while yacht parties and £100K+ salaries are possible, they are pretty uncommon.
Fortunately, there are countless reasons why pursuing a career in technology is still the best choice you can make.
We spoke to our community to find nine of the most popular reasons current tech professionals went into the field:
You don’t need a degree - there are multiple ways to become ‘qualified’
Technology evolves so rapidly that some employers see degrees as optional in technology. Instead, employers tend to focus on continual improvement and training. Short but regular boot camps and portfolio projects are essential to give you a competitive edge.
There’s a skills shortage - you’re almost guaranteed a job
There aren’t enough people getting into technology for the number of jobs businesses create. Some roles will be more subscribed to than others, but functions in cyber security, specific programming languages, and project management are calling out for quality candidates.
It's a large and varied industry - there's a space for everyone
When you say you want to 'get into tech', that's a lot like saying you want to get into government or the third sector. There are hundreds if not thousands of specialities and skill sets, from sales, to design, to marketing, front-end development, to security. The list ends somewhere, but we're yet to find where.
We need technology departments in every industry - find a role supporting anything from engineering to entertainment
Similar to the broad spectrum of specialities, the industries you can work in are uncapped. Everyone from food manufacturers to eco-energy providers needs tech teams, so you have the pick of your end product and audience.
You can help to change the world - build the technology of tomorrow
Technology often involves working to find more efficient ways of working. Better working methods may mean human accessibility or being kinder to the planet. Working in technology, you'll build products that make people's lives easier or improve the world.
Be at the beating heart of innovation - create something new
As we covered in point 5, technology means you are inventing the future. In your job, you'll use the newest technology and find new applications for existing technology. As a result, it's an extraordinarily creative and exciting field for something many see as a desk job.
Get paid well - human skills are a technology company's most valuable asset
Jobs are paid well in technology because of its unique skills demand and associated shortage in supply. Human resource is usually the main outgoing for companies and technology departments, so they can afford to splurge on good staff.
Great perks and company culture - technology brands set the bar on in-office fun
To attract great staff, tech companies invest heavily in culture. The industry is unrivalled regarding Friday afternoons off, social events, health insurance, free lunches, and more. Company structures also tend to be flat and less hierarchical, meaning you can have an impact from any position.
Roles are often remote and flexible - work how and when you want
While the work in some technology roles can be challenging, they do still offer great flexibility. A high percentage of technology companies allow staff to work from anywhere and often let them choose to start early or late.
Does technology sound like a career for you? Start your journey in the North West or West Midlands regions with Skills City. Our government-funded boot camps can kickstart your new career in 12 weeks to 16 weeks.
Read more about our Skills Bootcamps here, or email us at SkillsCity@HOSTSalford.com to speak to a career consultant.