How to get a career in Tech (for non-Techies!)

Keen to get into Tech, but aren't a coder? Fear-not! We look at 8 alternative career paths into the Tech space.
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  • How to get a career in tech for non techies

The last 10 years have seen coding, data science, engineering and SEO become some of the most sought after skills in the working world. We’ve seen Tech permeate seemingly every industry on Earth. And with governments around the world trying to outdo one another with their digital spending and investments, this will only continue.

Technology is one of the 21st century’s most secure and exciting sectors – that makes right now the perfect time to get into Tech. The thing is – not everyone has an aptitude for analytics. When you aren’t versed in C++ or Java (those are coding languages, by the way) Tech can seem like it has a big red ‘X’ over the door. But don’t be fooled: The industry needs people of all skill sets.

We’ve found 8 examples of amazing alternative roles in the industry to help non-techies get into Tech!

1. Content Writing

You may not be able to tell your IPCONFIG from your IF command, but that doesn’t mean you can’t write about Technology. Many companies in the industry have holes when it comes to engaging with the broader public. That’s where Content Writers come in. You can step in and market their products and services in a comprehensible way to drive awareness and sales. It’s crucial for companies to have a story and be able to sell what the company is working on, how it’s important, and why it matters.

2. Programme Development

Draw on your coaching skills to get into Tech! If you’ve run programmes in the past, your experience is a lot more valuable than you might think. It’s also very transferrable; all you have to do is get acquainted with a new curriculum. This way you can get into Tech by making use of your existing people skills in guiding people through programmes.

3. Account Management

If you’re after bagging an invaluable, customer-facing role in Tech then try Account Management. Bridging the gap between the computer wizards and the users, you can use clear and concise communication to influence customer journeys. It’s also a great chance to be on the frontline of many growing organisations.

4. Social Media

In line with the Tech boom, we’ve seen an explosion of social media usage. For almost all companies today, it’s unfathomable not to have a social media presence. Companies need socially-smart people to run these accounts, personifying their brand and interacting with customers. For those of you who ‘get’ social media, this opens up the chance to get into Tech by ‘becoming the brand’.

5. Community Lead

Could you act as the playmaker who engages a network of interested people? A Community Lead’s job is to maintain and grow a network around a company, which can include: users, partner organisations, alumni, employees, ex-employees, fans and more. With the speed at which many Tech companies are currently growing, these community manager roles are becoming more and more prevalent.

6. Marketing

Every. Single. Industry. Needs. Marketing. It’s one of those essential services that are relevant to most companies no matter what. And Tech is no exception. Good Marketing nous – or even just natural aptitude – can land you an engaging role in an up-and-coming startup. Whether it’s B2B or B2C, showing that you’ve got an understanding of strategy, alongside previous experience, will help you stand out from the crowd.

7. Finance

Another essential aspect of running a business is having someone to take care of the finances. If you’ve got an Accountancy qualification – or are pursuing one – you’re instantly attractive to many fast-scaling Tech businesses. Sure, this may be one of the more obvious opportunities. But it’s worth keeping tabs on upscaling Tech companies; as they grow, so will their Finance departments.

8. Internship

If you’re not convinced you have the necessary skill set to get into Tech via the above paths, fear not! Tech companies are among those most backed by Venture Capital firms. They also tend to do really well in funding rounds, and are – as we touched on earlier – regular recipients of government investment. For this reason, Tech companies generally have a lot of internship opportunities available. For these, you’re not expected to have deep knowledge, just the enthusiasm and tenacity to get into Tech.