Careers in Tech: Beyond coding and into a world of opportunities - CAS Secondary TC meeting

If you were unable to join us for our recent thematic community meeting, "Careers in Tech, Digital & Data" don’t worry! Here’s a complete recap of the content, along with a recording for you to catch up on the session highlights.

Key Takeaways

• Careers in tech are highly varied, extending far beyond coding roles.
• Over 80% of tech roles don't require programming skills, highlighting a broad range of non-coding jobs.
• Routes into tech are diverse, and most tech professionals don’t have a computer science degree.
• The tech field values interdisciplinary skills like communication, problem-solving, and user-centred design.
• The industry’s structure supports “squiggly careers,” allowing fluid movement across roles and sectors.

Exploring the Truth About Careers in Tech

Our session opened with a myth-busting discussion around common misconceptions about careers in technology. Our speaker, Christina Lovelock, emphasised that many assume a career in tech is all about coding, and even that jobs in tech are limited to big names like Google or Meta. In reality, the tech sector offers an expansive array of roles within nearly every organisation—from retail to public service—and most tech jobs do not require coding skills.

We heard compelling arguments on why the “lone hacker” stereotype is not only outdated but detrimental, potentially deterring a diverse range of candidates from entering tech. Christina also discussed the richness of career paths that don’t revolve around traditional technical skills. For instance, 80% of tech roles are dedicated to areas such as analysis, design, quality assurance, and project management. Teachers are encouraged to challenge student misconceptions about needing a computer science background to succeed in tech.

Understanding Tech’s Structure and Non-Linear Careers

The session then explored the layered structure of the tech industry, which comprises distinct areas such as technology, data, business rules, and security, each of which plays a critical role in building and maintaining digital solutions. This modular approach means that students interested in fields like user experience, customer research, or design have ample opportunity to find a fulfilling career without a coding background.

With tech’s move toward “squiggly careers”—a flexible approach to career paths that often involves lateral moves—professionals can explore a variety of roles throughout their careers, such as shifting from software testing to business analysis or project management. This adaptability appeals to students with diverse interests and opens up more opportunities for interdisciplinary skills to thrive in the tech landscape.

Entry Points into Tech

Another crucial theme was the range of entry points available. Contrary to the common perception that studying computer science is essential, we learned that only around 10% of tech employees hold a computer science degree. Many professionals enter tech through alternative backgrounds, including art, sociology, psychology, or even apprenticeships. The speaker encouraged teachers to promote awareness of vocational courses and apprenticeships, which provide direct, experience-based routes into the tech sector.

The session highlighted several apprenticeships tailored for aspiring tech professionals, such as business analysis and digital forensics, which offer hands-on experience and industry-recognised qualifications. It’s clear that apprenticeships are a valuable yet under-discussed route for students interested in technology.

Next Steps:

Here are a few reflective questions and practical exercises you might consider:

Reflective Questions:

• How can we challenge the misconception that tech careers revolve solely around coding?
• Which non-technical skills, like problem-solving, creativity, or collaboration, are already being taught in ways that align with modern tech roles?

Practical Exercises:

• Career Path Exploration: Assign a research project where students investigate tech careers that don’t involve coding, encouraging them to report on skills, job functions, and entry points.
• Guest Speaker Series: Consider inviting tech professionals from various backgrounds to share insights about non-traditional tech careers and pathways.
• Real-World Project Scenarios: Create projects that simulate actual tech roles, such as a UX design exercise or a data analysis case study, to help students experience the range of skills relevant in the field.

Further Resources 

Watch the recording 
BCS Tech Job Quiz
Join CAS Secondary Community 
Explore CAS Thematic Communities