So, what exactly are you saying? You don't have a bachelor's degree in computer science? Professors and parents may cringe, but there's no need to be concerned about your future if you didn't study in computer science in college. In fact, because the digital world is so big and varied, your studies and work experience in completely different sectors may be what sets you apart (in a good way!) while looking for a tech job. We've compiled a list of 21 tech careers that don't require a bachelor's degree in computer science.
If you're still not convinced, have a look at the 21 job openings listed below. None of them require an IT-related degree—in fact, most don't even mention a degree!—but they're all intriguing and gratifying jobs that you can get with some basic tech skills.
TECH JOBS YOU DON’T NEED A COMPUTER SCIENCE DEGREE TO DO
- Support
- Marketing
- Operations
- Product
- Content
- Social Media
- Design
- Development
SUPPORT
Regardless of your college major, if you’re friendly, patient, and have a knack for explaining complex problems in a straightforward way, a support position could be a great place to start your tech career and usually doesn’t require a CS degree.
Technical Customer Support Specialist (remote), HubSpot
Customer Experience Agent , Slack
MARKETING
If there’s one thing that’s important when it comes to online business, it’s marketing. Even if a company creates the most state-of-the-art product, it doesn’t do them any good without a stellar promotions and sales team. If you’re interested in getting the word out online, digital marketing may be the place for you.
- Associate Digital Campaigner , ACLU
- Marketing Associate (remote), Global Brigades
- Email Marketing Specialist , Zipcar
OPERATIONS
Even if you’re more into admin and analysis than development and design, digital skills might still be your way into a new career. I can say from my own experience in operations here at Skillcrush that this area is filled with opportunities to use your tech knowledge, plus the opportunity to do rewarding behind-the-scenes work to support your team.
- Technical Recruiter , Apple
- IT Business Analyst , Harvard Business School
PRODUCT
Even just a few years ago product development meant mainly working with your hands and your engineering degree to build and test physical products. But nowadays many products are virtual (think apps, software, and websites) so tech skills are needed to create and evaluate them. Product managers and testers fill those roles.
- Software Applications Tester , Better World Books
- Product Manager , Hopper
CONTENT
Writing and tech might seem as far apart as the North and South Poles but one of the most up-and-coming areas in the digital space is content marketing. The goal of online content is to make a connection with customers through storytelling and sharing. So, if you know how to create engaging blog posts, videos, or graphics, there can be a place for you in content.
- Tech News Writer (part-time, remote), Bustle
- Graphic Designer , Jane
- Web Content Specialist , MINDBODY
SOCIAL MEDIA
You might not have realized it but if you’re a wiz with social media, chances are you’ve picked up some tech know-how as you’ve been building your online presence. And those digital talents, combined with your people skills and a knack for trending topics, will put you in high demand for roles in the growing field of social media.
- Social Media Strategist
- Social Media Coordinator
DESIGN
Turn your passion for beautiful things into a fabulous tech career in design. Your eye for color and proportion and your sense of what’s visually appealing could be your money maker in one of the many different design roles in the tech world.
- Production Designer
- UX Designer
- Visual Designer
- Web Designer
DEVELOPMENT
You’d be forgiven for assuming that jobs with “developer” or “engineer” in the title are reserved strictly for computer science grads. But, fortunately, many of them are open to you even if you’ve just built a foundation in tech skills. Bonus: most are well-paying and exciting too!
- JavaScript Developer
- Front End Engineer
- Junior Python Developer
And, if you discover your dream job from the list but still aren’t certain you have what it takes, attempt these pointers to get the self belief you need to land the job:
Take on more technical work where you are now or do side tasks to earn and research in your free time. Then add them to your portfolio to exhibit plausible employers (or your present day one) what you can do and how enthusiastic you are about a digital position.
Think about transferring horizontally as a substitute than vertically. I like to suppose of this as switching to a new career ladder instead of struggling to hold mountain climbing one that you don’t even like. Wouldn’t you as a substitute step over to a career you love than just get a fancier-sounding title for a job that leaves you feeling unfulfilled and uninspired day after day?
Consider extraordinary sorts of opportunities like startups, small businesses, or agencies no longer based totally in fundamental tech hubs. These companies tend to be extra bendy about education and job necessities and focus on transferable abilities and gaining knowledge of possible as a substitute than typical education.And don’t forget about organizations with tech-related merchandise and services. They generally offer greater positions involving tech skills. So, no depend what size the corporation is, you would possibly find the position you’re looking for there.
Learn greater tech skills. Since you recognize you prefer a profession in tech, it’s really worth getting the information to make it a extraordinary one. And, not like a CS degree, mastering what you want to get started in tech doesn’t have to take four years of your existence or most of your financial savings account. You can be prepared for a profession alternate in solely a few months and for solely a TINY fraction of the cost of a university education.