You or someone you know belongs in a technical career. Probably both.
Technology is now embedded in everything. There was a time we explicitly connected to the Internet (and it made an awful noise) and then disconnected when we were done. A time when you checked out a book with your paper library card and found it in the library using a card catalog. Then the librarian date/timestamped when the book was due and took the card out of the pocket in the back of the book to know you had it.
No more. It’s all digital and seamless. You carry a phone that doesn’t have a cord and doesn’t have a tie to your home. Chances are it’s got more technology to it—exponentially more—than what came in early computers. Games, songs, banking apps. Convenience – you’re carrying convenience.
And we want more. Faster, better, more applicable apps and payments and things arriving.
Somebody’s got to build it. Others have to design it, secure it, test it, release it, advertise it, support it, and make it better. You can—and should—consider doing that.
The tech field is screaming for diversity. Women are a small fraction of it, with most working in people-centric roles. People of color are a smaller fraction still, with women of color at under 5% of the tech workforce. Friends, we need you. (I like to joke that there’s never a line at the bathroom for we women at the tech conferences).
We know that diverse work teams significantly outperform their homogenous counterparts. Diversity of thought—in age, in background, in gender, in ethnicity, in experience. Programs and groups are emerging with explicit focus of broadening the profile of workers in technology. Here are a few:
· Blacks in Cybersecurity
· Black Girls in Cybersecurity
· Women+ in Technology of Northwest Arkansas
· Springfield Women in Tech
· Blacks in Technology
So what’s next? You’re interested in taking me up on my offer to upskill. First, know your strengths. If you’re still in high school or have just graduated and want to stay local, OTC is a great value; it gives you real-world training in two short years that’s practical and actionable. You can enroll in the IT path and, if you dig in and study, you can leave the program with multiple certifications that employers honor as “this person is knowledgeable.” Alternatively, you can enter the cybersecurity path and take a mix of IT and cybersecurity coursework. Skilled workers are in high demand. Seasoned workers who are looking to enter technology from other careers can also follow the OTC path and often with even greater success. In addition to new skills, these workers bring all of their experiences from their former careers. Software development/programming is also a career path. Look into Codefi’s program if you’d like to upskill there. That program is free and teaches skills regarding full stack software development.
If OTC and Codefi are not viable options, here’s some good news – much of technology can be learned independently, especially cybersecurity. If you want to learn more, you can send me an email at hnoggle@mccoe.org (that’s at the Missouri Cybersecurity Center of Excellence), and we can talk about a path.
What aptitudes and interests do you need in technology? The biggest overall skill is curiosity and a desire to learn how things work together and independently. The work becomes systematic but remains interesting because you’re solving new problems, helping people, and making things better to help avoid problems.
Emerging technologies like AI (artificial intelligence and the data science that makes it possible) and—soon—quantum computing will need additional workers.
Many of these jobs I’ve mentioned in this article do not require degrees because degree programs have trouble keeping up with how quickly these technical jobs are changing as the technology itself changes. Experience and certifications are more valuable.
The Springfield-Greene County library provides free Udemy training to people who have library cards. Just an hour of study a day can help you upskill and determine your interest level—for free. Look for courses that are rated at 4 stars or more.
Need help with any of this? You know where to find me. Looking forward to seeing you in the tech community. Let’s make technology better!
By Heather Noggle, Owner, Codistac
hnoggle@codistac.com
https://www.codistac.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heathernoggle/
