8 Tips for Selecting a Career in Tech for Travel Enthusiasts
Tech is the newest and, arguably, the hottest industry at the moment. Several niches are coming up now and then. Also, the number of tech jobs is increasing rapidly every year. Case in point, there were 4.6 million job openings posted in 2019, with 822,000 from emerging tech fields.
If you are looking to be employable in the future, you should set yourself for a technology path. But what if you want something that allows you to pursue your passion for traveling as well? This list puts together some of the best tips to help you pick the best tech career for you:
Find Your Interest
Sometimes long-lasting careers should be driven by interest and passion. For example, a career in software programming might not do you good if you like assembling and dismantling computers. A computer hardware engineer course would be better in such case. If you are passionate about tech, you most definitely have tested out a few things and know what you like.
Finding relevant interest might not be that easy, though. To find your passion, you need to block out noise and distractions. Slow down and really think about what you like doing. Now, assess how your interests align with the major target areas in IT.
Assess the Latest Trends and Demands in the Industry
Patterns and trends in the technology industry can tell you a lot about what career is best. While trends (especially in short-term ones) shouldn’t solely determine your decision, they can re-affirm it. Perform a Google search of the options you have in mind to see their trends in recent years. Ideally, you would want something that has been steadily growing, and that has registered new job opportunities consistently.
Consider Careers You Have a Background In
If you’ve been employed, volunteered, run a business, or completed an internship, you might want to re-assess your background experience. Even if you have not been in these situations, you might have a tech background from home or school exposure. Choosing something that you are more familiar with is a much safer option as you won’t need to attempt something new and strange.
Look Beyond Programming
When most people think about tech, programmer, or computer engineer is what comes to mind. However, there are numerous other fields, just as lucrative. With moderate to little programming experience as well as other unique skills, you could be a:
- Data analyst or scientist;
- Project manager;
- UX designer;
- UI designer;
- Software tester;
- Growth hacker;
- Tech support.
Heck, you could even be a technical writer and have the flexibility to travel while working. Writers with experience in tech are on-demand both in the formal and freelance market. You can earn top dollar with royal essay writing with in-depth tech experience and relatively good writing skills.
Think About Self-Employment
If you’re looking for a career that you can do on your terms, think about the possibility of self-employment. Running your own business or working as an independent contractor gives you the freedom to plan your own working hours. You can travel when you desire and work when you want. Software development, web design, virtual assisting, technical writing, and IT consulting are a few suggestions.
Evaluate Your Skillset
Your skills can also point you in the right direction. Look at the things you can do better than others to figure out your skills. For example, are you an excellent analytical thinker? Do you have above-average problem-solving skills? You could also check out the most in-demand skills in different careers to see where you fit best.
Consider the Possibility of Growth
Some careers may look good at first, but the feeling quickly fades off if there’s no chance of growth. Flexible or not, you don’t want to be stuck in a career path that doesn’t offer any development. Check out if there are leading people in your career of interest and where they started from. You can also assess the market, including the different roles in job postings.
What Are Your Salary Expectations?
When it’s all said and done, most people choose careers based on basic pay and benefits. While you want something that’s with your interests and is flexible, you want something that pays well. You will, of course, need money to cater for your travels. So, research the salaries for the paths you are considering. Don’t just look at the average salary but also at the pay ranges (highest and lowest).
Ending Note
Technology offers an endless array of career opportunities, more so if you desire flexibility. The above suggestions should help you figure out what you want based on your interests, needs, and love for traveling. With these criteria, you can come up with a viable list of possible options.