Do you need a four-year degree to become a tech professional? For many who want to work in tech, this is a burning question, because pursuing a degree takes quite a bit of time and resources.
According to new data from CompTIA, a considerable number of open tech jobs don’t require a four-year degree. Here’s the breakdown from their latest Jobs Report:
If you want to work with databases and networks, it seems a number of employers are more interested in your technical skills than any degrees in your possession. There are also other ways to prove your skill-set, most notably certifications; for example, many job postings ask network administrators to have a certification such as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or a CompTIA Security+ cert (depending on the role, of course).
Other ways to show off your skills to a prospective employer include:
- Open-Source Projects: Contribute meaningfully to open-source projects on GitHub and other places, and you’ll demonstrate to potential employers that you have the knowledge it takes to succeed at their companies’ projects.
- Personal Projects: This can take a variety of forms, such as building a website or app on your own—you’ll show you not only have technical skills, but also the passion for the job.
- Build Out a Portfolio: A website or online document showing your projects—and highlighting your successes—is invaluable.
During a job interview, focusing on your projects and your successes in your previous roles can help you overcome the lack of a degree; having a few certifications can likewise allow you to stand out in a crowded field of applicants. Remember, more companies are dropping their degree requirements, opening new opportunities to those tech pros who have the right skills, but haven’t necessarily had the time or resources to complete their formal education.
