Can You Get a Tech Job Without a Degree? How to Get a Job with No Experience
Can you get a tech job without a degree? The tech industry is one sector where experience can be valued more than educational qualifications. Many big tech companies have removed the strict requirements for a degree in this field. Today, a professional certificate or bootcamp program may be enough to get you a high-paying tech job.
However, there are a few things you should do to land your first tech job without experience. This guide will highlight some important steps available for you to take to get a tech job without a four-year degree. You should build your technical skills, communication skills, soft skills, and relevant experience if you want to start a great career in technology.
Is It Possible to Get a Tech Job Without a College Degree?
Yes, it is possible to get a tech job without a college degree. This is because many jobs in the IT sector do not require regular four-year degrees. The same applies to two-year degrees from community colleges. You can start your career in tech and become a network engineer, aerospace technician, or network support specialist if you start to earn important skills now.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 26 percent of information technology employees in the US do not have an undergraduate degree. In most cases, tech jobs require proof of experience that you have the skills to do the job rather than a formal qualification. There is an emphasis on experience and skills rather than college education.
What Are the Other Tech Education Options?
Aside from degrees, there are other tech education options such as coding bootcamps, online courses, and certificates. Coding bootcamps are short career acceleration programs that teach practical tech skills employers are looking for. They also provide career services and active networks to help you meet people and get a job.
Some of the common bootcamp programs include UI/UX design, data science, software engineering, web development, cyber security, product management, project management, and digital marketing. Going through a bootcamp course is also much more affordable than earning a four-year college degree.
There are a lot of online courses that can help you to break into tech. However, it takes a lot of effort to learn without a structured curriculum. Certifications also come in handy, but not all are for entry-level candidates. A bootcamp or certificate program is your best bet if you want to get a job in tech.
Tips to Get a Tech Job With No Experience
There are a few things you can do to enter the tech field without any experience. They include building your skills, building projects, networking, earning a certification, and creating your portfolio. Read below to learn how you can achieve job security and a high-paying career track with only a bootcamp or certification program.
1. Build Your Skills
To start, you need to build your skills in your field. The tech sector may not require a degree for the job, but skills are mandatory. Programming languages may come in handy in most fields, so choose the most popular ones and find a bootcamp that offers courses in them.
2. Work on Projects
To thrive in the tech industry, you need to be able to push yourself and remain updated with the latest trends. Building projects can help you to get started. You can solidify the knowledge you already have and show recruiters your capabilities. You can also share open source projects online so you can learn from others and teach them too.
3. Build an Online Portfolio
If you have built several projects, you can begin to build your online portfolio. This makes it shareable with recruiters. GitHub and LinkedIn are excellent places to share your projects. If you want to work in UX, design user-friendly pages, but if you want to be a web developer, build memorable and creative websites.
4. Network in the Field
Most jobs are not advertised. Recruiters may ask for recommendations from employees and others. To gain access to such jobs, you must learn the art of networking. This could mean finding local meetups or searching for tech-based events around you. Try to form good professional relationships with other professionals who can guide you or even employ you.
5. Get Certified
In most cases, certification stands as proof that you’re skilled in a particular field. It gives you the external validation needed to thrive, and you can stand out more if you have been certified by international organizations. They can also help you get a salary bump. Some certifications require renewal after months, so don’t fail to renew them.
Highest-Paying Tech Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
The tech field offers high salaries, and you can earn up to six figures without having a college degree. Some professionals start on an average salary of $100,000, and this earning potential can increase as you gain more experience in the field. Read below to learn more about the best tech jobs that don’t require a college degree.
| Job Title | Education Requirements | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Software Architect | High School Diploma | $132,506 |
| DevOps Engineer | High School Diploma | $114,359 |
| Cyber Security Specialist | High School Diploma | $111,052 |
| Software Engineer | High School Diploma | $99,729 |
| IT Manager | High School Diploma | $87,289 |
| Web Developer | High School Diploma | $75,073 |
| Computer Programmer | High School Diploma | $65,142 |
| Help Desk Analyst | High School Diploma | $45,336 |
| Junior Data Analyst | High School Diploma | $51,686 |
| Computer Support Specialist | High School Diploma | $44,918 |
Software Architect
These experts design systems according to the client’s requirements. Software architects collaborate with engineers, business leaders, and developers to create intuitive and clear software that is easy to use even for those unfamiliar with tech. The experts are also responsible for overseeing codes and ensuring that the project is completed on time.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers upgrade, develop, and implement software solutions. They are also responsible for monitoring the server’s health with other experts. They introduce tools, methodologies, processes, and other things needed during the software development lifecycle. They also bridge the gap between the IT operations and development teams.
Cyber Security Specialist
Cyber security specialists monitor different networks to find potential threats and vulnerabilities to data belonging to an organization. These experts are also responsible for building firewalls to protect the data and manage attacks on network infrastructures. Cyber security professionals develop and implement data protection strategies.
Software Engineer
Software engineers are responsible for developing software solutions for customer relationship management and the marketing and finance industries. They document software using flowcharts, coding, and layouts. These experts are also responsible for applying software engineering principles to design, maintain, evaluate, and test computer software.
IT Manager
IT managers are responsible for overseeing an IT staff and the organization’s technology as a whole. These experts also maintain hardware and software while evaluating their needs for infrastructure. Also, they analyze and install different computing networks. To become an IT manager, you may require some experience in other fields to qualify.
Web Developer
Web developers are either front end, backend, or full stack developers. Front end developers work on the client side, or the part users see. Backend developers work on the server side to ensure that the infrastructure of the site works well. Full stack developers perform both front end and backend development functions to help websites thrive.
Computer Programmer
These experts use programming languages to update, write, and troubleshoot programs. They debug, code, and develop computer infrastructure. Computer programmers also maintain operating systems and design, conceptualize, and test structures to fix different computer issues.
Help Desk Analyst
Help desk analysts often provide technical support to end-users. They do so via email or on the phone. These experts are also responsible for maintaining records of issues and developing solutions to help end-users fix them. They collaborate with IT support and senior staff to install and implement technical solutions.
Junior Data Analyst
Junior data analysts assist data analysts in retrieving data for cleaning and organization. They work on databases and process data for customers. The role of junior data analysts may differ from company to company. However, they work under the supervision of an upper-level analyst.
Computer Support Specialist
Computer support specialists are responsible for troubleshooting computer software and monitoring networks. Computer support specialists also help install hardware or software for customers and perform computer repairs. Troubleshooting is an important part of this job, and knowledge of programming languages can come in handy as well.
How to Get a Tech Job Without a Degree FAQ
Can you get a job in tech without a degree?
You can get a job in tech without a degree. Several companies in the tech industry have begun to overlook the strict requirements for college degrees. They focus more on the skills and experience to hire the best talent regardless of educational background. Coding bootcamps can help you to gain the skills needed to secure a tech job without a degree.
Does Google hire without a degree?
Yes, Google hires employees without a degree for most software engineering and project management roles. Apple and Tesla have also removed requirements for degrees from their job posts. Many Big Five companies hire people who don’t have degrees.
What jobs pay over $100,000 without a degree?
DevOps engineering and big data engineering pay over $100,000 a year. Other more common roles in software engineering and web development can yield salaries above $100,000, depending on experience level.
How can I get a tech job without a degree?
You can get a tech job without a degree by learning in-demand skills. Coding bootcamps can help you to learn these skills within a short time. You can also enroll in online courses to learn the skills needed to secure a job in tech.
