What Is a Career in Tech (And How Do You Get One)?

Discussion Starter: "When you hear 'tech career,' what's the first thing that comes to mind?"

• Many students think only of software engineering/coding
• Tech industry is much broader than just programming
• Every company is becoming a tech company
• Non-technical roles in tech companies often pay just as well

Key Point: Tech careers aren't just for computer science majors!

Question: "Who can name a tech job that doesn't involve coding?"

Technical Roles:

• Software Engineering: Building applications, websites, systems
• Data Science/Analytics: Making sense of data to drive decisions
• Cybersecurity: Protecting companies from digital threats
• DevOps/Cloud Engineering: Managing how software gets deployed
• Quality Assurance: Testing software to ensure it works

Non-Technical Roles:

• Product Management: Deciding what features to build and why
• UX/UI Design: Making technology easy and enjoyable to use
• Technical Sales: Helping companies buy the right technology
• Customer Success: Helping clients get value from tech products
• Technical Writing: Explaining complex technology clearly
• Business Analysis: Understanding business needs and tech solutions

Discussion: "Which of these sounds most interesting to you and why?"

Question: "What's the difference between an internship and a co-op?"

Internships (Most Common):

• Usually 10-12 weeks during summer
• Can be paid or unpaid (tech internships are usually paid well)
• Great for exploring different companies/roles
• Often lead to full-time job offers

Co-ops (Cooperative Education):

• Longer commitment (6 months to a year)
• Usually alternate semesters (work, school, work, school)
• Deeper experience, more responsibility
• Common in engineering programs

Research Opportunities:

• Work with professors on research projects
• Great for students considering graduate school
• Can lead to publications and conference presentations
• Often unpaid but valuable for academic careers

Key Point: "Any experience is better than no experience!"

Activity: "Let's walk through this process together."

Step 1: Pick a Dream Job

• What role do you want in 5 years?
• What company would you love to work for?
• Don't worry if it seems impossible right now

Step 2: Research the Requirements

• Look at job postings for that role
• What skills do they ask for?
• What experience level?
• What education background?

Step 3: Find People in Those Roles

• Search LinkedIn for people with that job title
• Look at their backgrounds and career paths
• How did they get there?
• What companies did they work for before?

Step 4: Create Your Action Plan

• What skills do you need to develop?
• What experiences should you seek out?
• Who could you connect with for advice?
• What's your next concrete step?

Discussion: "Who wants to share their dream job and what they learned?"

Share Examples: Real stories of JMU students who landed great internships

Example 1: The Networker

• Started with no connections in tech
• Attended every career fair and info session
• Connected with alumni on LinkedIn
• Got referral that led to internship at major tech company

Example 2: The Project Builder

• Built impressive portfolio of personal projects
• Contributed to open source projects
• Showcased work on GitHub and personal website
• Projects spoke louder than GPA

Example 3: The Persistent One

• Applied to 100+ internships
• Got rejected many times but kept improving
• Used each rejection as learning opportunity
• Finally landed dream internship in junior year

Key Takeaway: "There's no single path to success, but there are common patterns."

Let's Bust Some Myths:

Myth: "You need to be a CS major"

• Many successful tech workers studied other fields
• Business, psychology, design, and other majors are valuable
• Companies need diverse perspectives

Myth: "You need to know how to code"

• Many high-paying tech roles don't require coding
• Product managers, designers, sales engineers, etc.
• Understanding technology ≠ writing code

Myth: "Tech is only for young people"

• Career changers are common and successful
• Experience in other fields is often valuable
• Many companies value diverse age groups

Myth: "You need to work 80-hour weeks"

• Work-life balance varies by company and role
• Many tech companies prioritize employee wellbeing
• Startups vs. established companies have different cultures

Activity: "Let's do some real-time career exploration together!"

Major Tech Industry Sectors:

• Big Tech (FAANG+): Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Microsoft
• Enterprise Software: Salesforce, Oracle, SAP, ServiceNow
• Fintech: PayPal, Square, Stripe, Robinhood, Coinbase
• E-commerce: Shopify, eBay, Etsy, Wayfair
• Gaming: Epic Games, Riot Games, Blizzard, Unity
• Cybersecurity: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Okta
• Cloud/Infrastructure: AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks

Entry-Level Tech Salaries (2024):

• Software Engineer: $85,000 - $150,000
• Data Scientist: $90,000 - $140,000
• Product Manager: $95,000 - $160,000
• UX Designer: $70,000 - $120,000
• Cybersecurity Analyst: $75,000 - $130,000
• DevOps Engineer: $80,000 - $145,000
• Technical Sales: $60,000 - $120,000 + commission

Note: Salaries vary significantly by location, company size, and experience

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you enjoy solving complex problems step-by-step?
• Are you comfortable with ambiguity and changing requirements?
• Do you prefer working independently or in teams?
• Are you interested in understanding how businesses work?
• Do you enjoy explaining technical concepts to others?
• Are you motivated by helping users solve their problems?
• Do you like staying up-to-date with the latest trends?

Question: "What do you think a typical day looks like for a software engineer?"

Daily Realities:

• Meetings: 30-50% of time in meetings (standups, planning, reviews)
• Coding: 40-60% of time actually writing code
• Debugging: Significant time fixing existing code
• Learning: Constant learning of new tools and technologies
• Documentation: Writing and reading technical documentation

Work Environment Factors:

• Remote vs. In-Person: Many companies offer flexible arrangements
• Startup vs. Big Company: Different pace, resources, and stability
• Team Dynamics: Collaboration is key to success
• Continuous Learning: Technology changes rapidly
• Work-Life Balance: Varies significantly by company and role

What They Don't Tell You:

• Imposter Syndrome: Almost everyone feels like they don't belong sometimes
• Constant Change: Technologies and priorities shift frequently
• Not Always Glamorous: Lots of maintenance and bug fixes
• Communication Skills: Often more important than technical skills
• Burnout Risk: Fast pace can be overwhelming

The Four Pillars of Career Success

Pillar 1: Technical Skills

• Core Competencies: Master the fundamentals of your chosen field
• Continuous Learning: Stay current with industry trends
• Hands-On Practice: Build projects that demonstrate your abilities
• Depth vs. Breadth: Go deep in one area, broad in others

Pillar 2: Professional Network

• Industry Connections: Build relationships with professionals
• Peer Network: Connect with fellow students and early-career professionals
• Mentorship: Find mentors and eventually become one
• Online Presence: Maintain professional social media profiles

Pillar 3: Real-World Experience

• Internships: Gain practical work experience
• Personal Projects: Demonstrate initiative and creativity
• Open Source: Contribute to community projects
• Freelancing: Work with real clients on real problems

Pillar 4: Professional Skills

• Communication: Explain complex ideas clearly
• Problem-Solving: Break down complex challenges
• Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with others
• Leadership: Take initiative and guide others

Interactive Planning Session

Your 4-Year Career Plan:

Freshman/Sophomore Year:

• Explore different tech roles through research and informational interviews
• Build foundational skills through coursework and online learning
• Start building your professional network
• Create your first personal projects

Junior Year:

• Secure your first internship or co-op
• Develop specialized skills in your area of interest
• Build a strong portfolio of projects
• Expand your professional network

Senior Year:

• Complete additional internships or advanced projects
• Begin full-time job search process
• Leverage network for job opportunities
• Prepare for technical and behavioral interviews

Post-Graduation:

• Start your first full-time role
• Continue learning and skill development
• Build reputation within your company and industry
• Begin mentoring others and giving back

Your Complete Career Exploration and Planning Assignment

Week 1: Research and Discovery

Days 1-3: Industry and Role Exploration

• Research 10 different tech roles across various industries
• Create detailed profiles for each role including responsibilities, skills, and career paths
• Identify 3 roles that align with your interests and strengths
• Research salary ranges and job market demand for each role
• Find and analyze 5 job postings for each of your top 3 roles

Days 4-5: Professional Network Analysis

• Find 15 professionals on LinkedIn in your target roles
• Analyze their career paths, education, and experience
• Identify common patterns and requirements
• Create a list of companies that employ people in your target roles
• Research company cultures, values, and employee reviews

Days 6-7: Skills Gap Analysis

• List all technical and soft skills required for your target roles
• Assess your current skill level in each area (beginner, intermediate, advanced)
• Identify the biggest gaps between your current skills and requirements
• Research learning resources for each skill gap
• Create a prioritized learning plan for the next 2 years

Week 2: Planning and Goal Setting

Days 8-10: Career Roadmap Development

• Create a detailed 4-year career plan with specific milestones
• Set SMART goals for each semester through graduation
• Identify specific internships, projects, and experiences to pursue
• Plan your course selection to align with career goals
• Create a timeline for skill development and learning

Days 11-12: Network Building Strategy

• Identify 20 professionals you want to connect with
• Draft personalized outreach messages for informational interviews
• Research upcoming career fairs, networking events, and conferences
• Create a plan for building relationships with professors and peers
• Set up professional social media profiles (LinkedIn, GitHub, etc.)

Days 13-14: Action Plan and Accountability

• Create a detailed action plan for the next 6 months
• Identify accountability partners and mentors
• Set up systems for tracking progress and staying motivated
• Plan regular check-ins and plan adjustments
• Create a personal mission statement for your tech career

Required Deliverables:

1. Career Research Report: Comprehensive analysis of 10 tech roles
2. Professional Network Analysis: Detailed profiles of 15 industry professionals
3. Skills Assessment Matrix: Current skills vs. required skills analysis
4. 4-Year Career Roadmap: Detailed plan with milestones and timelines
5. Learning and Development Plan: Prioritized skill-building strategy
6. Networking Strategy: Plan for building professional relationships
7. 6-Month Action Plan: Specific, actionable steps for immediate implementation
8. Personal Mission Statement: Your career vision and values

Success Metrics:

• Research Depth: Comprehensive understanding of target roles and industries
• Strategic Thinking: Clear connection between current state and career goals
• Actionability: Specific, measurable steps for career development
• Network Foundation: Initial professional connections established
• Self-Awareness: Clear understanding of strengths, interests, and growth areas

Bonus Challenges:

• Conduct your first informational interview with a tech professional
• Attend a virtual tech meetup or conference
• Start your first personal project related to your career interests
• Connect with 5 professionals on LinkedIn with personalized messages
• Write a blog post about your career exploration journey

Your Complete Roadmap to Success

Submit Your Career Foundation Portfolio!

After completing your 2-week career exploration challenge, submit your comprehensive homework through the Homework tab. This foundational assignment will set the direction for your entire tech career journey!

Submission Deadline: Two weeks from today's meeting

This assignment is the foundation of everything we'll build together - invest the time to do it right!