DETROIT – Looking for a career change? That’s becoming increasingly common these days, as more people have started to realize the range of options available to them. Some are facing the uncomfortable realization that they might have been underutilizing their potential, while others just want a change of scenery. This is a particularly common sight in the tech sector, which used to look quite different just a couple of decades ago.
Today, many tech specialists are pursuing occupations that can allow them to apply their skills in a more direct, focused manner. If you recognize yourself in that description, don’t worry – you’re far from alone. And the good news is that there are lots of options for you to consider if you want to get a fresh start in a different industry. Let’s take a look at some of the popular career choices for people with technical backgrounds at the moment.
Data Science
Data science has exploded in popularity in the last decade, and it looks like we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. There are various predictions that the field is going to be at the center of some sectors in the next decade or two, and we might see data scientists becoming a very valuable resource in the job market. There is already a severe shortage of experts in this position in some areas, and it’s likely that this trend is going to continue with full force.
A great thing about data science is that is a very universally applicable field. You can find work in practically any sector you can imagine – from healthcare, to finances, security, logistics, and more. Wherever there are large volumes of data to churn through and look for patterns, you will be able to find steady employment. And while you don’t need a degree for that, following something like Emerson College’s Master of Arts in Digital Marketing and Data Analytics online program can give you a lot of insight into the field.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity specialists are also quite rare on the market right now – at least the good ones. The field is quite challenging to get into from the start, and you’re going to face a lot of work in terms of learning about all relevant solutions on the market, the different threats you can anticipate, and even things that don’t have much to do with technology, like social engineering and manipulation.
It’s also a constantly evolving field, and you’re going to have to keep up with a lot of information on a regular basis. If this sounds appealing to you, then you should definitely check out what cybersecurity has to offer. Keep in mind that even with a strong technical background, you might still find it difficult to get your foot in the door initially. You’re going to have to do some additional networking, and also have a little bit of luck.
Healthcare
With the link between healthcare and technology growing so strong year by year, it’s no surprise that the field is very attractive to tech experts with a strong background at the moment. There’s a lot to do in healthcare on all levels, from software for managing hospitals and clinics, to analytical tools and advanced research involving artificial intelligence. Hardware is also a very heavily emphasized topic for technicians who work in healthcare, and if you have a knack for it, you’re already in a small percentage of candidates.
And unlike most “main” positions in healthcare, like a physician or a travel nurse, the workload involved on the tech side of that field is not that demanding. You’re still going to face the occasional challenging situation – especially if you have to be on call for certain products – but in general, it will feel more like working in tech than working in healthcare.
Marketing
It shouldn’t be surprising that marketing is also a popular field for tech experts looking for a career change. The field is full of opportunities for those who know their way around modern tech, and it keeps growing every year. Most of the technical work in marketing right now revolves around data collection and analysis. So, if you already have a background in machine learning or something similar, you’re on the right track.
That’s not to say that this is the only way to get into marketing through tech though. There are lots of developments happening on the web front, and it’s a field that’s constantly in demand of experts with advanced knowledge who can bring some new ideas to the table.
Keep in mind that marketing is a very dynamic field, and often quite demanding on those involved in it – and that applies to the technical corner of the field as well. You will often face strict deadlines and constantly changing requirements, and this is something you’ll need to adapt to from an early stage. We don’t want to paint a chaotic picture of the current marketing environment, but it’s definitely a field that takes a certain attitude.
Finances
Another common choice for those with a lot of experience under their belt is the world of finances. The financial market is constantly moving, especially when you look into areas like stock trading, hedge funds and cryptocurrencies. And since all of this boils down to an infrastructure that’s almost entirely digital at this point, it makes sense that tech experts are in high demand by financial firms and the financial departments of individual companies.
This is another field that can be somewhat difficult to break into without any contacts though, so make sure to put some work into your networking before deciding on a jump in that direction. It’s not impossible to find a good job and move up on your own, but it’s going to depend largely on luck.
It doesn’t help that many financial organizations are a bit restrictive towards those outside of their field, due to operating under more traditional approaches from a couple of decades ago. This is changing, but it will take some time before the market truly adapts to the idea that the field of finances needs experts from other fields.
Manufacturing
Between the Industrial Internet of Things, machine learning, and various other modern solutions, the field of manufacturing is going through a major boom right now. Companies are able to organize their production better, and get more value out of their input. At the same time, we’ve seen various approaches to physical optimization, like Lean and Six Sigma, that seem to blend well with technological skills.
It’s quite interesting to follow the progress of the manufacturing field from the perspective of someone interested in tech, because it’s clear at this point that the factories of today are on their way out. A lot of work is being done to explore concepts like full automation, lights-out manufacturing, and other similar approaches. And all of this requires people with a lot of technical expertise to put those ideas to work. If you enjoy optimizing large processes, investigating new solutions and working with hardware and software alike, this is likely going to be a great choice for you.
Agriculture
Technology has a huge place in agriculture today as well. If you haven’t been on a farm in the last couple of decades, you’d be surprised how the typical one looks right now. A modern tractor is a work of art in terms of the technology it integrates and the support work it requires in the long term. And it’s getting better. Autonomous drones are used to handle various tasks and relieve farmers of their workload. Fields are being mapped with extreme accuracy in order to allow machines to operate in them more efficiently. And there is a lot more communication between different farms, their suppliers and consumers.
Agriculture is actually a very advanced field at the moment from a technological perspective, and it’s likely going to continue moving in the same direction for the foreseeable future. In fact, some suspect that we’re barely scratching the surface of what’s possible with the help of technologies like artificial intelligence. And there is a lot of room for advanced tech experts in the field right now.
Art
Last but definitely not least, don’t ignore the opportunity of putting your skills to a more creative use. Art and technology actually have a strong link right now, and it’s very likely that it’s going to get even stronger in the near future. It’s not just about the obvious answers like digital painting and 3D modelling. Some artists are now using machine learning to generate new works from their previous input. It’s not just static images, either; we’ve already seen successful experiments with procedural music generation, and even entire video clips. If you have a creative vibe, you’re going to love what the art world looks like right now thanks to its adoption of modern technology.
As you can see, there is no shortage of options to check out if you’re interested in transitioning to a different field at the moment. The link between technology and other fields is too strong to ignore, and you shouldn’t feel limited in your current work if you are unsatisfied with it. Just take a look around and make your choice!
Bio: James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.
