What comes immediately to mind when someone tells you he or she works in tech? Perhaps you think of a loner who sits in front of a screen for hours coding; or, a geek who spends a full weekend at a hackathon. You might also think that it’s a job that does not involve interaction with people. These are just a few common misconceptions about what it means to pursue a career in tech.
Even amid the global economic uncertainty that has led to widespread layoffs in the tech industry, it is still a thriving sector with infinite possibilities. Let’s now debunk some of the most widespread myths about what it’s like to work in tech:
You need to be a math whiz to get a job in tech
Advanced mathematics is not a pre-requisite to perform most coding jobs, which means you don’t require a computer science degree. With a good foundation in secondary and pre-tertiary mathematics, combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, you can learn the fundamentals of coding and progress to more advanced levels after mastering the basics.
What if you’re not good at math? There are still roles in tech for you too, including web development, data analysis, and quality assurance.
Tech knowledge and skills are all you need when working in tech
Take a close look at today’s tech job postings; you’ll find that every organisation has different requirements for similar opportunities, as the requirements often depend on the role and the technologies they utilise.
While technical expertise is key, prospective employers will also be on the lookout for other professional skills including project management, stakeholder management, and soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and creative thinking.
You can’t get a job in tech without the necessary skills and experience
You’ve decided you want to make a career switch into tech. However, you don’t have any prior experience in the field. You can learn the necessary tech skills and programming knowledge through courses and certifications. Attending conferences or seminars will provide a deeper understanding of the tech industry, and help you build your networks.
To gain hands-on experience, you could apply for internship positions or participate in hackathons and coding competitions, which will allow you to build a credible portfolio for job applications.
There is no room for creativity in tech
There are many ways that technology and design work together to demonstrate their artistic flare – think web designers, game designers, augmented reality designers, UI/UX designers and UX writers. Regardless of your role, you’ll need to apply a level of creativity to develop well-designed programmes and elegant solutions.
A tech job is usually a solitary one
Tech professionals are often required to collaborate with other departments, lend support, and engage with their co-workers while designing a solution, or planning and outlining the future of a business’s technological landscape.
The world of technology is constantly evolving. Therefore, networking to establish contacts outside of the office is also important so that you can keep learning and growing in your field of expertise.
You’re stuck with a single career path
Tech is a massive, ever-evolving industry composed of different fields. New occupations and specialities will continue to develop as technology progresses and continues to permeate our lives.
Upskilling could help you pivot to other tech roles. For instance, you might start in programming and realise you have a knack for data analysis, which opens opportunities for a role as a data analyst.
The possibilities are endless! Many tech jobs allow you to build on the skills and experience you’ve acquired over the years – which means you don’t have to start completely from scratch when you embark on a new role.
Entering tech means joining a tech company or a digital start-up
People typically picture large tech corporations or digital start-ups when they think about tech jobs. The fact is, most large companies including financial institutions, retailers and security firms have in-house tech teams who work on business transformation and digitalisation initiatives.
Many financial institutions – including insurance companies – have been ramping up the development and deployment of technology to improve their customers’ experience and/or better manage business risks.
One such company is Chubb, the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, which is continually deploying new technologies to assess, assume and manage risks for its clients. The company is looking to hire people with a wide range of perspectives, experience and backgrounds and want to develop a career in technology.
If you are a self-motivated innovator, have a can-do attitude and focused on delivering results, there could be a great opportunity waiting for you at Chubb. Find out more from five of the company’s tech specialists who share more about what they do, and don’t forget to head on over to its job portal for available roles.
This article is brought to you by Chubb.
