Top Tech Careers for High School Students to Consider
byElizabeth Preston
6 min to read
Considering the possibilities of major growth and massive profit in the tech field and with five billion people worldwide owning a mobile device, students may be wondering what tech careers they should pursue in order to become part of this exciting future.
Explore some of the top careers in tech, some tech careers that don’t involve coding, some tech careers that pay well, and the skills students will need in order to break into the tech industry.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the fastest growing tech careers are data scientists, information security analysts, web developers, software developers, and operations research analysts.
Data Scientist
The number of data scientist jobs is expected to increase by 35.8 percent from 2021 to 2031. The median annual wage for a data scientist was $100,910 in 2021.
What Do Data Scientists Do?
A data scientist organizes, analyzes, interprets, and tests large sets of oftentimes messy data in order to provide useful insights to businesses to help them identify problems, solutions, and possibilities to better their operations. They also help clients visualize their data via models, maps, charts, and presentations.
Data scientists typically work in the computer systems industry, finance, insurance, management, scientific research, and consulting.
Required Education for a Data Scientist
A bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, or computer science will help your student on their path to becoming a data scientist. However, a master’s degree or doctorate may increase a student’s marketability to more employers and result in a higher salary.
Required Skills for a Data Scientist
To be a data scientist, students should have skills in statistics, math, coding, logical thinking, problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication.
Information Security Analyst
There is expected to be a 34.7 percent increase in employment from 2021 to 2031 for information security analysts. People in this tech career earned a median of $102,600 in 2021.
What Do Information Security Analysts Do?
An information security analyst develops security measures—such as encryption programs and firewalls—for networks and systems. Think of them as guardians, since they look for risks, protect systems from breaches, and clean up the mess after a cyberattack.
Information security analysts often work in the business or financial industry or for consulting firms.
Required Education for an Information Security Analyst
A bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer and information technology, math, or engineering is typically necessary to become an information security analyst. Employers may also desire a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certificate, a Security+ certification, or an internship for this tech career.
This work often doesn’t involve coding, but students should have knowledge of network monitoring software, security and virus protection software, database user interface software, and web platform development software.
Required Skills for an Information Security Analyst
To be an information security analyst, students should have skills in communication, analytics, creativity, problem-solving, and being detail oriented
Web Developer
It’s expected that 30.3 percent more web developer jobs will be added to the American economy by 2031. In 2021, the median annual wage for this career in tech was $77,030.
What Do Web Developers Do?
A web developer creates, maintains, and tests websites, website functions, website applications, application databases, interface layouts, and navigation usability. Essentially, web developers create websites and make them operate efficiently.
Web developers may work in computer system design industries, advertising, publishing, or management consulting. Some people work within companies while others are self-employed, and there is a high possibility that web developers can work remotely.
Required Education for a Web Developer
A high school diploma may suffice for being a web developer, but an associate or bachelor’s degree in computer science can open the job market to include management positions, since employers may be looking for a formal education within the field.
However, whatever degree students obtain, they will need to educate themselves continually on the new tools and advancements within the field, either through earning certificates or via self-motivated research.
Further, students will need to have knowledge of programming and coding languages, including HTML, JavaScript, CSS, C++, and PHP.
Required Skills for a Web Developer
For this career in tech, students should have skills in listening, communication, collaboration, teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity. To set your student up to become a web developer, consider encouraging them to practice coding, seeking out an experienced web developer to mentor them, learning new frameworks and technologies so that they can stay up to date with the industry, or joining an open-source club or community.
Software Developer
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects there to be a 26 percent increase in the number of software developers within the next 10 years. The median wage for professionals in this field in 2021 was $120,730.
What Do Software Developers Do?
A software developer creates, manages, and troubleshoots the underlying systems of computer applications that control networks and/or run devices. They update software, maintain databases, and analyze the needs of users in order to improve software performance. Software developers may become specialists in testing and identifying problems and risks within software, software testers, quality assurance analysts/engineers, or information technology project managers.
Software developers typically work in the computer systems design industry, finance, insurance, publishing, manufacturing, or management. They may work closely with web developers, and they may work within a team or individually.
Required Education for a Software Developer
A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, engineering, software engineering, or computer and information technology will help students on their journey in this tech career.
Although software developers don’t necessarily specialize in coding, they should still have a background in computer programming and should stay up to date with the newest tools and programming languages.
Required Skills for a Software Developer
To be a software developer, students should have skills in communication, collaboration, analytics, interpersonal relations, problem-solving, and creativity.
Operations Research Analyst
Operations research analyst jobs are expected to increase 23 percent by 2031. The median annual wage for this profession was $82,360 in 2021.
What Do Operations Research Analysts Do?
An operations research analyst uses math, logic, and technology to dissect systems and organizations in order to identify and solve problems as well as make recommendations to help customers meet their goals and improve their businesses. They engage in data collection, quantitative analysis, and software development.
Operations research analysts often work with businesses regarding resource allocation, supply chain management, and product pricing.
Required Education for an Operations Research Analyst
A bachelor’s degree in mathematics, engineering, business, or computer science is typically necessary to become an operations research analyst. However, a master’s degree may be desired by some employers. This tech career doesn’t involve coding, but it does rely on statistical analysis.
Required Skills for an Operations Research Analyst
If your student wants to be an operations research analyst, they should have skills in problem-solving, analytics, creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, interpersonal relations, writing, and math.
Although these are some of the top growing careers in the tech field, they are not the only ones. Other tech careers of interest in the tech field include computer systems analyst, computer hardware engineer, and database administrator and architect. As the industry evolves, there may be even more lucrative and exciting careers in tech, so prepare your student with the skills they need to succeed in whatever career they choose.
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