Beginner’s Guide: 5 Skills to Launch Your Tech Career
- Chisom Ugonna
- Sep 29, 2024
- 6 min read
If you’ve never touched a line of code, worked with tech tools, or know the difference between a website and a web app, don’t worry—you’re in the right place! The tech world can seem intimidating at first, but with the right skills and guidance, you can break into this thriving industry, even without any prior experience. Whether you want to become a developer, work with data, or design apps, you’ll need to start with foundational skills that are easy to grasp but powerful enough to build a long-term career.
Here’s a breakdown of five essential skills and courses that will help you get started in tech as a complete newbie.
1. Get Started with Basic Web Development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
If you’ve ever wondered how websites are made, web development is where you should start. It’s one of the most beginner-friendly areas in tech because you can quickly see the results of your work and create something meaningful right from your browser.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language): Think of HTML as the skeleton of any website. It’s the language that tells your browser what to display on the screen, like text, images, and links. For example, creating a simple web page involves writing HTML code that defines the structure of that page.
CSS (Cascading Style Sheets): Once you’ve structured your website with HTML, CSS is what makes it look beautiful. It allows you to add colors, fonts, and layouts. Want to change the background to blue or center text? CSS makes that possible.
JavaScript: While HTML and CSS create the structure and style, JavaScript is what brings your website to life. It allows you to add interactivity, such as buttons that do things when clicked or animations that change as you scroll through the page.
How to Get Started:
Take an introductory Web Development course on Univad School of Technology. These courses guide you through interactive lessons and real-world projects that let you build your own websites from scratch.
Start small by building simple web pages and gradually advance to creating dynamic websites.
Opportunities:
Once you’re comfortable with these skills, you can explore careers in front-end development (what users see) or back-end development (what makes websites work behind the scenes).
2. Learn the Basics of Python: Your Gateway to Many Tech Careers
Python is one of the most recommended languages for beginners because it’s simple to learn but incredibly powerful. Whether you want to go into web development, data science, or automation, Python is a versatile language that can open many doors.
Why Python?: Python’s syntax is very close to everyday English, making it easy for beginners to pick up. For example, printing "Hello, World!" in Python is as simple as writing print("Hello, World!"). Its flexibility means you can apply Python in almost any field—whether it’s automating repetitive tasks or building complex applications.
Real-World Uses: Python is used for everything from building websites like Instagram and Spotify to analyzing vast amounts of data. It's also one of the key languages for those interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
How to Get Started:
Start with a beginner Python course on Univad. Look for courses that explain programming concepts in simple terms and provide exercises to help you practice.
Practice by writing small scripts, such as a program that automates a task (like renaming files) or solves simple math problems.
Opportunities:
With Python skills, you can explore roles like software development, data analysis, or even machine learning engineering. Python is also a great choice for those looking to freelance or automate business tasks.
3. Explore Data Analytics and Excel: Your First Step into the World of Data
Even if you’ve never heard of data analysis, you’ve probably used basic Excel spreadsheets before. If you love working with numbers and making sense of data, a career in data analytics could be for you.
Excel: While often overlooked, Excel is an essential tool in tech for organizing and analyzing data. Learning Excel's advanced features like pivot tables, charts, and formulas can help you make data-driven decisions.
SQL (Structured Query Language): SQL is the language used to manage and query data stored in databases. For example, if a company has thousands of customers in a database, SQL allows you to pull specific data from that database, such as finding out how many customers live in a particular city.
How to Get Started:
Start with a Data Analytics with Excel course on Univad School of Technology. These courses cover everything from basic functions to more advanced features like data visualization.
Move on to learning SQL at the Univad School of Technology. These platforms offer beginner courses where you can learn how to work with databases.
Opportunities:
Data analysts, business analysts, and financial analysts all use Excel and SQL to draw meaningful insights from data. This can lead to high-paying roles in almost every industry, from finance to marketing.
4. Learn Version Control with Git and GitHub: Collaborate and Track Your Work
Even if you’re a total beginner, learning how to manage and track your projects is a valuable skill. Git is a system that keeps track of changes in your code, while GitHub is a platform where developers store and share their code with others. These are essential for working on projects as part of a team or even just for keeping your personal projects organized.
Why Use Git?: Imagine you’re working on a project and accidentally delete an important part of your code. Git allows you to “undo” those changes and restore previous versions of your work. It’s a safety net for developers.
GitHub: Once you’re familiar with Git, GitHub is where you’ll store your projects, share them with others, or collaborate with a team. It’s an essential tool for any tech professional, as it allows you to showcase your work publicly.
How to Get Started:
Opportunities:
Every software developer uses Git and GitHub in their day-to-day work. Knowing version control is a must for roles in software development, web development, and even data science.
5. Start Designing with UX/UI Basics: Build User-Friendly Products
If you’ve ever been frustrated with an app or website because it’s hard to navigate, you’ve experienced poor user experience (UX). UX/UI design focuses on creating products that are both functional and enjoyable to use. If you have an eye for design and love creating experiences that delight users, this could be the perfect skill for you.
UX (User Experience): Focuses on how a product feels and works. The goal is to make sure users can easily complete tasks and have a positive experience while doing so.
UI (User Interface): Refers to the look and feel of a product. UI designers are responsible for making sure everything on the screen is easy to read, visually appealing, and intuitive.
How to Get Started:
Sign up for a beginner-friendly UX/UI Design course on Univad School of Creative Arts. These courses often walk you through the design process from start to finish, including how to use tools like Figma or Adobe XD.
Start by redesigning simple apps or websites as practice. This will help you build a portfolio to showcase your skills.
Opportunities:
With UX/UI skills, you can become a UX designer, UI designer, or product designer. This field is in high demand as more companies focus on delivering better digital experiences to users.
Final Tips for Tech Newbies
Don’t Rush: Start with one skill at a time and build a solid understanding before moving on to the next.
Practice Makes Perfect: Regular practice is key to mastering any tech skill. Even if you feel overwhelmed at first, keep experimenting and building small projects.
Join Communities: Tech communities on platforms like GitHub, LinkedIn, or Reddit can offer support, mentorship, and resources.
Breaking into tech may seem daunting, but with dedication and the right learning resources, you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful career. Happy learning!
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