As the class of 2023 approaches graduation, many tech-savvy students are rethinking what their dream job might look like.
Hiring could still be done by big tech companies, but competition is still fierce, and it’s understandable that widespread layoffs across the industry will give some job candidates pause. What is the positive side of this situation for the top tech talent in the Class of 2023? Tech jobs outside of Big Tech are plentiful, and it’s an exciting opportunity to be part of the big digital transformations happening in every part of our economy.
Demand for entry-level programs and computer engineering roles continues to rise, including in sectors such as Government, financial services and healthcare. At Fidelity, for example, the new tech staff account for 18% to expand their workforce. The class of 2023 is already showing a growing appetite for technical roles outside of technology. For students with technology majors applying for internships this year, we saw an 8.1 percentage point drop in applications to tech employers, and an increase in applications to all other industries.
In addition, job vacancies that require technical skills other than software engineering — in roles related to innovations around robotics, semiconductors, clean energy and artificial intelligence, for example — rose last year. by 24%. The construction, government and manufacturing sectors in particular have a strong and growing need for early talent with technical skills outside of software or computing.
It’s a great time to be a fresh graduate with technical skills because there are so many – and varied – opportunities. Here are some tips for finding your first tech job outside of traditional “tech”:
- Identify areas that interest you and talk to the staff. Use Linkedin, Twitter, and other social platforms to follow thought leaders and professionals in those spaces. Connect with alumni and young employees of companies of interest via Handshake to learn about A Day in the Life. Ask them what major trends, topics, and issues they are thinking about and begin to form your own view on them. Ask them if there are other trends you should learn about and if there are others you should connect with.
- Expand your search parameters. Don’t dismiss an industry right away because it seems too outdated. Like the old automakers general motors They are now platform innovators who have emerged as leaders in zero-emission, self-driving vehicle technologies. Retailers, like Home Depot, have huge needs for tech talent to build mobile apps that have become essential to their community of professional contractors and handymen. And global hotel companies, like Hilton, need software engineers to develop innovations like unlocking your hotel room with a digital key.
- Consider public service. Federal, state, and local government agencies also have talent needs around data warehousing, data analysis, cybersecurity, applications, and project management. Our nation suffers from a deep distrust of institutions ranging from city hall to congress that could make government and the public service poised to be the next big thing in the world of work. Generation Z said Clear and loud They are interested in making an impact on the world. It may take an injection of new talent into the Gen Z public service sector to fix some of the broken things.
- Update your resume and profiles online (and incorporate industry language). Recruiters move quickly to fill the roles available to them, and you need to make it clear that you are ready to launch your career. Make sure you learn the language of the industry and reflect that in how you communicate your past experiences. Many skills can be transferred across industries, but learning jargon and how to communicate in any industry is crucial. Draw connection and show transferability. Not only does it make you a more credible job candidate, it also shows that you did your homework.
- Crush the interview by getting ready now. If you do your research, learn the trends and understand the role and company you’re looking for, it’s not hard to connect the dots to the employer. Identify the three main tasks or goals of the job—that is, the skills you need to succeed in a role—and be prepared to answer behavioral interview questions related to those skills. List several examples that demonstrate these skills and be ready to talk about them. Using the STAR method is an easy way to organize your thoughts:
- S = mode (what was the mode)
- T = task (what did you have to do)
- A = work (what you’ve already done)
- R = score (what was the score)
- Make sure to spend more time on the A and R, which is what hiring managers are interested to learn more about. Excessive emphasis on S and T is a common mistake.
Big Tech discounts shouldn’t kill your dreams of putting your tech skills to work. For members of the Class of 2023 who are ready to get creative and consider sectors off the beaten path, there are plenty of dream jobs out there.