The tech industry may seem like an unattainable giant in comparison to other industries when searching for a job, however, this is far from the truth. In fact, by simply following three principles as a student, you can easily find positions that are stable and profitable without much work in exchange.
As I discussed in part 1 of this article, the financial stability, healthcare benefits, and job security that come into play with the tech industry are not only enticing, but absolutely perfect for young students looking to create a bright future in an industry that will never fade. Because of this, however, it is important to know exactly how to make yourself stand out when looking into tech positions, and this informative three-step plan will hopefully help you get well on your way to that comfortable spot in a company that you know will respect you and give you the opportunity to be successful as well.
1- All Good Things Take Time
As a young student, you probably know that time is an integral component when it comes to success. After all, the old saying “Rome wasn’t built in a week” still holds true. In fact, the average students spends a whopping $32k just to go to college, and this doesn’t include the time they spend studying, the money they spend on textbooks, or the cost of living, the rental of lockers, and transportation.
Furthermore, many students have a hard time balancing their college courses with their regular jobs. Unfortunately, part-time work doesn’t pay enough for these students to afford all of their living expenses. However, the tech industry not only provides for young individuals going through college, but often accommodates them in far better ways than other industries do. While many other industries, such as hospitality and retail, tend to care very little about employee retention — and often consider their employees expendable in nature — the tech industry chooses to encourage employee input and creative thinking. This makes the tech industry a leader of the future of employee engagement in every way.
However, to become a part of this amazing industry, it will most certainly take time and patience. Many positions you may need to take in the beginning might not be as exhilarating as the future in tech that lies ahead of you. However, every job counts, and the time you put into these jobs are crucial. On top of this, in order to move past the proverbial fork in the road of big money versus job satisfaction, you must first analyze the position you want and recognize that, although most tech companies pay well, you may not make as much as another person in your field.
However, this could simply be because the position they need to fill requires much more work and time and, with this, your relationships and life simply must come second. This is in contrast to other positions, which may pay a tad bit less in the long-run, but provide you with the job satisfaction you’re longing for.
Furthermore, as you go through your education, you must also understand that the courses you will be taking, to prove you are capable of the tech job of your choosing, may not be as fun and exciting either. However, it is important to understand that everything you learn is crucial to your future, and, no matter how long and tedious each project may be, it will only help you grow as an employee and be more prepared for the job that is in your near future. With this said, time is not the only important factor in ensuring you stand out; hard work is the key to making that time you spend well-worth it in the end.
2- Hard Work is Key
When it comes to a position in the tech industry, the work you put into it directly determines the outcome you will receive. Because of this, the best way to receive a positive outcome is to put your nose to the grindstone. Do everything you can both in and out of your university to make yourself stand out, and ultimately prove to your future employer that you are exactly the kind of worker they need by their side.
For instance, being able to balance multiple things at once shows you are both determined and dedicated. Many of the largest corporations in the world began with one multitasking individual who had a dream for more, meaning you could also prove your worth to investors by creating your own startup. Therefore, showcasing you can balance work, clubs, committees, or even sports along with your schooling proves you are capable of doing more than one thing at a time, and it also shows job recruiters or investors that your outside life will not affect your work ethic. This demonstrates that you are comfortable putting yourself in confronting situations and are able to redefine your comfort zone as well.
In fact, when discussing this very subject in his article, “How I Went From Competitive Swimmer To Tech Startup CEO”, Alex Dreiling, CEO of the successful tech company, Clipchamp, had this to say: “I learned how valuable putting yourself in confronting situations is — you automatically grow as a person. The ability to quickly assess situations in a fast-moving environment is also something that applies daily in running a startup.” Since Drilling began the startup company, Clipchamp has been highly successful and are currently looking towards a bright future ingrained in technology.
From video games and social media all the way to transportation and insurance, technology is slowly transforming our world into a better and more connected one full of opportunity and constant growth. In fact, investments into insurance tech startups are growing, VR/AR investments reached over $2 billion last year alone, and the first autonomous cars are nearly complete.
With this comes a plethora of opportunities for the young adult to make an impact in the world, and to make a name for themselves in the tech industry. But hard work and time are only two-thirds of the equation. Although taking the time to show you can balance various other things alongside your schoolwork is a great way to showcase your strengths, it is important that your grades do not falter because of this, as knowledge is the foundation with which your power in the industry is built.
3- Knowledge is Power
When it comes to a university, the time you spend and the work you do are both extremely important, but your grades are typically the first thing a potential recruiter sees. Therefore, your grades and the knowledge you obtain throughout school are highly important. It simply isn’t good enough to just memorize things for the sake of a test, and then forget them — due to the fact that this information is crucial to the future position you hope to have. However, despite this, studies show that students forget 95 percent of what they learn in school only three days after the fact.
Therefore, the best thing to do is to ensure you are retaining this information by studying with other students, finding a private tutor, getting a tech job that specifically deals with the computer studies you are taking, and going back through your previous semesters after the fact. By doing these things, you can recognize areas where you need work and keep the information in your mind for after you graduate, or when you are looking for that position in the tech industry.
Furthermore, this process will also prove to your new employer or investors that you are capable of listening to and retaining information, which will make them feel more assured of your capabilities as an employee or CEO. However, it is equally important to know what information is not worth remembering so you can focus on the information you actually need to go over and study heavily. To do this, you must figure out what position you are looking for and exactly what this job entails. From there, you can begin to build the foundation of a bright future for yourself, and have the three most important aspects of your schooling taken care. This will make you stand out above the rest, despite the onslaught of various other capable candidates.
After all, the tech industry is one that prides itself on creativity and unique thought, so these tiny steps to show you are more than just the average tech student are exactly what is needed to prove you belong in this bustling industry, alongside the best and smartest in our modern world.
See Part 1, Millennial Students and The Allure of the Tech Industry, for more information on the tech world and how it provides more for its employees …