But outside the tech discipline, many people still believe that you can’t get into tech without learning code. And for many of those hoping to join the ever-popular (and ever-growing) tech tribe, learning CSS or JavaScript often seem like the only option. However, not everything in tech comes down to code. At Mentorcruise, a mentorship platform, we’ve seen many people from all kinds of disciplines embrace a career in tech.
While more and more products rely on coding than ever before, there are still plenty of job opportunities that require different, more broad tech skills. Not only do these roles enjoy high rates of employment, but they still offer the perks and hefty paychecks that have become synonymous with the industry. If you’re wondering how to get into tech without coding capabilities, then this article is particularly a treat for you. You’ll learn the following;
- What it’s really like to work in tech.
- How to get into the tech (without learning code).
- Tops tech top careers that doesn’t require coding you should know about.
What it’s really like to work in tech
Expanding discussions on tech careers beyond software engineering creates a comprehensive space and inspires more individuals to find fulfillment and recognition in the community.
Many people believe that to work in tech, you must sit behind screens writing code all day. . While this lifestyle can be an engaging proposition for some people it is a daunting one for others.
However, contrary to popular belief, not that many tech jobs are actually technical.
Sure, we’ve got a lot to thank Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and IBM’s technical masterminds for — they’ve given us the smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, apps, websites, and software programs that society is now dependent on.
But, computer and IT occupations — the technical jobs that involve implementing new technologies, designing computer networks, and developing apps or websites — only make up 56% of all workers in the tech industry.
So what about the other 44%?
Those are the product managers, HR workers, accountants, sales representatives, and customer service workers that tech businesses simply couldn’t function without.
So if you’re a JavaScript novice and squirm at the sight of spreadsheets, you can still break into the wonderful world of tech, no worries! So how do you make this happen?
Making it happen: How to get into tech (without learning to code).
Even if you aren’t a die-hard techie, you can begin your voyage into the IT world with a little bit of hard work. If you are considering a tech career but feel uncertain about getting a good fit, below are some steps to help you begin.
Reframe your achievements
Did you begin your career as a professor? A charity staffer? A pizzeria cook? Certainly, these will by no means give you the qualifications to work in the tech right?
Well, wrong! Why? Because several tech workers took different career paths before landing on the tech. For example; Susan Wojcicki (CEO of YouTube), April Underwood (VP Product at Slack), Katrina Lake (Stitchfix Founder), and Amy Hood (CFO of Microsoft) cast their teeth in investment banking, marketing, consulting, and product management before growing into the prominent leaders in tech. They set the example that software engineering is not the only entry point for a tech leader. These women have unquestionably grown technical expertise along the way, but expertise was never a requirement to get started. So you can do this.
Understand the roles.
Do your research. First, you need to know what the tech industry’s non-coding jobs are all about. It’s essential to see through these ornate titles to appreciate/understand the role that a person in a position of interest plays on a team.
To achieve this, you may want to consult resources like LinkedIn to understand people’s trajectories and backgrounds in these fields. Also, try to explore sites like Glassdoor to understand the interview process for such positions; Interview questions remain good indicators of candidates’ skills.
Once you’ve narrowed down likely career paths, clearly outline why exploring this career path is a good choice for you. Above all, it is crucial to understand yourself throughout the job-hunt phase. You’ll need a convincing reason that inspires your judgment always to reverence, should you feel downcast.
Recognize similarities between the skills needed for this position and your actual experiences to better place yourself as a candidate. Because tech employers come from many different backgrounds and have different ways to identify talent, the fact remains that they really do not have much time to find these talents.
They often struggle to fill dozens of roles concurrently and therefore, can not stop to understand the unique nuances of your career. As a result, it’s in your position to help them swiftly see the connection between what they need from their candidate and what you’ve done in the past. And one great way to do this is to draw a map between your experiences and their open role.
Identify the skills and experiences you’re still lacking. Design a plan on how to fill the gaps. This may incorporate learning computer science, even if you wouldn’t be required to write code on the role. Indeed computer science is difficult . But so is delivering a speech or writing a dissertation. Mind you that, difficulty is not an impassable barrier to accomplishing your goals.
Complete/actualize your plan. Begin by taking small, concrete steps to reach your goal, and make sure to track your progress along the way.
Find tools online
Learning is no longer confined to the four walls of a classroom — now you can access a wealth of valuable educational content online, most of which is free of charge and self-paced.
If you’ve set your sights on product management, FutureLearn offers a free six-week intensive course covering the basics (developed by the esteemed University of Virginia’s business school).
Or, if UX design is more your game, Udacity has a free two-month course packed with industry-level content to get you prepped for a career in product design.
These are just two of the many platforms that allow you to get started without any commitments, learn at your preferred place, and build valuable skills in your chosen tech area.
Do some reading
Reading is one of the most efficient ways to get tech-educated, as you can learn about the industry from those working in it today.
There are a wealth of tech-ed books out there written by industry veterans that help you to understand which roles suit your skillset and how to climb the tech ladder.
To further your knowledge and keep abreast of the ever-changing tech landscape, sign up to a free weekly newsletter like The Exponential View which covers everything going on (and about to go on) in the tech world.
Get out there
As the old saying goes, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
While you always need some fundamental tech knowledge, having contacts in the industry is key to breaking in.
Integrate yourself into your local area’s tech community by attending seminars, open conferences or meetups like Meteor Camp’s Meteor NY. This meetup attracts techies from near and far to share their knowledge or products, and gain valuable feedback. Link to people in your network who have your model career. Seek advice and ask them how they went about it, whether or not they would like to criticize your resume or portfolio.
Find a mentor
Journeying into a new career can be a pretty daunting task, and experiencing a few tough times is almost a given.
Having someone by your side every step of the way can be an invaluable support system. Even better if they come with expert insider knowledge of the industry, and a black book full of high profile contacts.
MentorCruise has a pool of warm and welcoming tech mentors, equipped with the knowledge and know-how needed to help you get where you want to be.
Providing everything from feedback on interviews and applications to developing your skills and personal growth, they are on-hand 24/7 (well, almost!) with tailored guidance and a friendly face to help pave your way to code-less tech success.
And with a 7-day trial available from each mentor, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The principal step in the process is distinguishing the career path you want. Then, reassure yourself that you can do it and get the faith to commit and employ the steps you need to make it happen.
Top tech roles that don’t require coding skills
The following no-code tech jobs will give you an idea of what’s out there, and how much you can expect to earn — they all go to show how easy it is to get into tech without coding:
UX Designer
User experience designers (UX) are tasked with keeping the end-user in mind. Their primary goal is to increase user satisfaction through creating a simple, engaging, easy-to-use product. While some UX Designers will know code, many simply work alongside coding teams to bring their vision to life.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting customer research to understand users needs
- Knowing the most effective ways to structure digital content (information architecture)
- Making design decisions based on data analysis
- Building prototypes of test websites/apps
Average salary: $72,780
SEO Specialist
Search engine optimization (SEO) specialists tailor a website’s content for search engines. Despite being heavily marketing-based, this role requires some technical skill as they must keep on top of changes to search engine ranking methods and alter website algorithms accordingly.
Responsibilities:
- Researching keywords
- Working with developers and designers to ensure SEO best practices across website and app
- Optimizing copy to improve search ranking
- Tracking, reporting, and analyzing advertising campaigns
Average salary: $40,750
Growth Hacker
Commonly required by startups, growth hackers combine marketing, technology and business skills to grow a site’s audience by huge numbers. A firm grasp of statistics and data analysis is required to draw conclusions from the tests they run.
Responsibilities:
- Test new strategies for acquiring users
- Measure results
- Being flexible and willing to tweak — or even discard — plans as necessary
Average salary: $74,369
Product Manager
Product managers are in charge of the product strategy for the company (or a specific product line in larger organizations). They direct the growth of a product, as well as come up with new ideas to widen product lines. Yes, you’ll need to understand how a digital product works, but you’ll never need to tweak the code yourself!
Responsibilities:
- Overseeing creative teams
- Strategizing plans and devising roles amongst teams
- Keeping an eye on the wider market and any developments that may impact the product
Average salary: $87,900
Technical Customer Service Representative
One of the most customer-facing roles in tech, a technical customer service representative is someone who helps customers struggling with a technical product. Basic knowledge of technology and the specific product is key, as well as the ability to listen and explain things clearly.
Responsibilities:
- Dealing with customers and providing solutions to technical issues
- Evaluating the systems’ problems to recommend enhancements
Average salary: $30,500
Data Analyst
Strong mathematical and analytical skills are vital for data analysts, who draw meaningful conclusions from the collection of data. Occasionally, some companies may ask for programming skills, however, the need for advanced coding acumen is rare.
Average salary: $52,981
Sounds great, right? Your next question will probably be how to actually get one of these jobs. Simple: be proactive.
Begin a career in tech with MentorCruise
If you want to work in tech, don’t let the lack of experience hold you back. There are so many great jobs out there that don’t need you to write a line of code and that do take into account the awesome experiences you’ve already had.
However, finding or changing a career in tech can be a daunting experience if you don’t have the right kind of help. But with a mentor to give you professional guidance every step of the way, you can guarantee a smooth transition.
If you are looking for longterm mentorship in Tech, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or sign up for a mentor at MentorCruise.