Many people wanting a change from their current job are looking to a high-tech career for the excitement, challenge and income potential. The most common questions are "where should I start" or "what class should I take", but what you should be asking yourself is "what do I like doing".
The plain and simple truth is that not everyone is cut out for a career in high-tech. You might be attracted to the excitement and glamour, but it requires a lot of hard work to get there, and then more hard work to succeed. Most people get their education before finding out what it is they really want to do, or more importantly, what it is they are really good at doing.
Continuing Education
The one thing for sure in high-tech is that it's always changing, and that means you will always be learning new things. If you think you're going to graduate from school with a degree or certificate and never go back, you're wrong. To survive in high-tech you have to love learning. So if you're thinking of jumping into the technology field, you need to ask yourself if you are committed to continuing education. If not, then this probably isn't the place for you.
Communication Skills
In addition to the passion for learning, there are many different personality traits that make a successful information technology professional. First and foremost, good communication skills - both verbal and written. Most modern work environments require effective communication between cross-functional team members. That means not only will you be talking C++ or Java with other techies, but will need to communicate with everyone from management and entry level staff, many of whom don't understand about computers. This also means you can't always sit at your desk coding all day, but will need to socialize with other co-workers and peers.
Myers-Briggs
In an effort to work better together, some corporate IT organizations have gone so far as to employ a personality type indicator test to help understand how different types work best together. You can also use this method to determine your strengths and weaknesses. The most common is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The test itself is a series of questions where you answer with how you would react in a certain situation. The personality traits that come out of the test are:
- Extraverted or Introverted
- Sensing or iNtuitive
- Thinking or Feeling
- Judging or Perceiving
When combined together, these traits form 16 distinct personality types commonly known as the Myers-Briggs Personality Types. Typical Computer Programmers are INTJ, INTP and ISTJ, where Graphic Designers are more commonly INFJ, INFP and ISFP - the main difference being between Thinking (logical, Computer Programmer) and Feeling (creative, Graphic Designer). In case you're interested, your Computer and Internet Careers Host is an ISFJ - we're a rare breed, but I personally think it's a good combination.
More Information and Next Steps
There is a great reference put together by Monster.com which provides more detail about the Myers-Briggs types and which jobs are suited for which types. The process steps you through questions that will help determine your personality type, then matches that with jobs which you would be suited. Check out the Career Quiz today and learn more about yourself than you ever knew. Note: the quiz is not specific to high-tech, so you will see all professions.
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