You can break into the tech industry. Here’s how

One consistent story we’ve seen in our data at LinkedIn over the past several years is that jobs in the technology industry are in demand. Our 2021 Jobs on the Rise report found that at least four of the 15 highlighted areas required some training in the technology sector, including specialized engineers and artificial intelligence practitioners.

Companies have a difficult time finding people to fill these roles — despite offering attractive salaries, good benefits, and enticing perks. As a result, some tech companies are taking matters into their own hands.

Many top tech companies are now offering free or low-cost training programs of various intensities to help people transition into the industry. People who use to work in the service and hospitality sectors, for example, are now landing entry-level tech positions after taking part in these relatively short training programs.

“I was always interested in tech, but — truth be told — I didn’t think I would be able to work in IT or with computers mainly because of the math,” said Alex Corral, who graduated from the Google Career Certificates program and now works as an information security analyst. 

Corral, who lives in Chicago, had been managing two restaurants until an accident left him unable to walk or work. He took part in the online program through the City College of Chicago. 

Google isn’t alone in offering these training opportunities. Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a handful of such programs to help people start careers in cloud computing. One of these programs is called re/Start, which is a full-time and classroom-based program that trains people for careers in cloud computing. 

What’s really interesting about AWS’s re/Start and many of these programs is that the graduates are generally not meant to immediately go work for tech giants. Instead, the hope is that they’ll be hired by organizations in their local communities who may be clients of companies like Amazon and Alphabet’s Google.

“Our customers don't have the hands and minds to do the work,” said Kevin Kelly, director of education programs for Amazon Web Services (AWS). “They're looking to us to help create that talent. So that's why we have these programs where we're really focused on helping our customers. But, an enormous side benefit is we get to help improve people's lives and help them enter a career that they may not have thought was something that they could do.”

Because many of these programs are designed to teach people the tech skills companies need, they often come with the added benefit of strong career services.

“We’re proud that we connect 90% of our graduates with job interview opportunities,” said Kelly. “So for us, it's not just training for the sake of training. Our success criteria is really a smiling face holding a badge. And by that we mean, we work hard to line up employment opportunities.”

Are these programs right for you?

These types of training programs are typically designed for people who may have no prior experience with technology. But, how do you know if you’re right for these programs?

“When we think about our rescaling and upskilling programs, you know, we look for a few things,” Amazon’s Kelly told me.

First, he said people should be curious and willing to be lifelong learners. Second, he said they want to know what draws people to the subject matter. They also want to hear about people’s previous experiences and skills — even if it’s not related to technology. While a lot of the work involves sitting in front of a computer, Kelly said there is also a lot of work in conference rooms. “And it's about influencing and collaboration skills,” he said. “I think a lot of people discount that set of skills that they have.”

Corral told me that he had some experience with technology before joining Google’s program. He had built a computer and took care of the machines at his restaurants. But, he told me that a person doesn’t need to have experience in tech to take part in a training program.

“One of the things that really impressed me about the program is that it starts off assuming you know nothing about computers,” he said. “The benefit of that is that you’re not excluding anybody.”

Corral said Google’s program resulted in him getting into a field that really interests him, a higher salary and working from home. Additionally, he has a better work-life balance. “For the first time in a very long time, I actually have weekends off, he said. “I can spend more time with my family and see them.”

Have you considered breaking into the tech industry? Join the conversation.

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#GetHired Live will be off Friday, September 3, but we’ll be back with a new episode the following Friday — September 10 at noon ET.

▶ The follow-up

People spend a lot of time at their jobs. Some may love what they do, but many others are less than thrilled by their day-to-day work. Experts say in the last edition of #GetHired that there are some basic steps people can take to find a job they enjoy. They say people should get to know themselves and what they value. They should align those values and needs to prospective employers and roles. Also, they should be realistic and keep the process going. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

▶ A lesson learned:

You may sometimes hide parts of yourself in hopes that it will make it easier for you to navigate the world. Kenji Yoshino, who is the Chief Justice Earl Warren Professor of Constitutional Law at the NYU School of Law, teaches you in this LinkedIn Learning course the ways that we all cover and how to allow yourself and others to be their authentic selves. Watch the course below or by clicking here.

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▶ Up next:

#GetHired will be taking next week off due to the U.S. Labor Day holiday, but I’ll be back on Monday, September 13, with a fresh edition. In that newsletter, we’ll be talking with U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh about the current labor market and what he’d like job seekers to know.