In today’s age, your career is no longer dependent on the degree you hold in your hands. The digital sphere means that businesses are more interested in the output you can deliver instead of what university you attended or what type of degree you possess. According to a recent report, there are millions of well-paying jobs in the US alone which do not require a graduate qualification. Interestingly, most of such openings are in the IT sector, thanks to the emerging fields like AI, machine learning, big data analytics, and security. What’s more, such jobs are expected to increase in the next 5 years.

• Software engineers: In the US alone, jobs for software engineers are among the 5 biggest openings and are expected to make up 24% of all jobs in the country. Similar trends can be expected in other countries in different parts of the world.
• Security experts: Security experts are becoming increasingly in demand nowadays because of the need to address the risks of online fraud and security breaches. Within the next 9-10 years, jobs for security experts are expected to increase by almost 30 percent.
• IT support staff: Support staff is in high demand in all offices to help in addressing operational IT issues as well as troubleshooting, procurement, networking, cloud management and a host of similar matters. Jobs for people with relevant certifications like ITIL Foundation certification and other ITIL certification are also expected to increase by more than 10 percent within the next 8 years.
• Web designers: Web designers are essential in the development and creation of new websites. There is a well-paying job with an average annual salary close to $70,000. People can enter this field after completing a relevant certification or diploma course in web development and design.
• Digital marketers: Perhaps one of the most exciting and rewarding IT professions to emerge in recent years, SEO professionals and social media managers along with a host of other digital marketers are responsible for generating online business for their employers/clients by attracting customers, clients and audiences through online advertising, search engine optimization and other cutting edge technologies.

It has also been reported that Amazon alone will create 50,000 new jobs in the IT field, which will not require a university or college degree. In fact, these jobs will go to those who possess the right skills and certifications. Some of these jobs include database administrators, intelligence experts, application developers, software designers, and data engineers. Other market leaders such as Apple and Google are also creating new campuses where courses will be offered to develop an IT workforce who can contribute to the growth of this field while pursuing rewarding careers.

Skills Over Degrees

Gone are the days when a degree in computer science was mandatory before anyone could even think of getting a job at Microsoft or Google. In fact, a growing number of jobs at these companies do not include graduation as a mandatory requirement. According to current figures, almost 20 percent of professional developers do not even have a graduate degree.

The good thing is that many of these courses, like AWS training, can be completed online. IT technicians and security experts are just two of such jobs for which you can become fully trained online. These courses range from basic level certifications to more advanced professional level diplomas at affordable fees.

Companies such as equipment manufacturers, networking companies, software and app development companies are already shifting away from hiring candidates based on their degrees while emphasizing more on their tangible skills. In fact, if you look around, many of the pioneers in the IT industry do not have a college degree. Instead, their success is the result of their skills and continuous learning.

Here are some of the critical skills that you will need to acquire to succeed in such a changing environment:

• Go for certifications: Regardless of what kind of degree you already hold, or even if you do not have a college degree, a relevant certification from a reliable and credible body will help you get started in your IT career. These bodies offer comprehensive, industry-based courses with online training and resources as well as student support. You can go for these certifications which include AWS Sysops Certification, Scala, CCNA, CompTIA+ and CISSP. GO online and explore more of such courses depending on whether you want to make a career in app development, coding, networking or security management.
• Innovative learning methods: Learning methods are rapidly changing as students and instructors adapt to new learning and training technologies. Most lectures nowadays are delivered using a blended approach, combining the benefits of traditional classroom learning and online methods. Many companies offer such blended courses to address the learning preferences of all kinds of students. These courses also include project labs, online videos, online assignments and collaborative activities. The advantage of blended learning is that it helps the learners acquire skills based on industry norms and standards, which prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the real world.
• Become a project developer: Not getting a college degree is no barrier to getting a good tech job as long as you have access to hands-on practice opportunities. In most companies around the world, especially those in the IT sector, work is organized around projects, with different project teams assigned a specific project. In fact, professionals find themselves working in different capacities on different project teams within the same company. Moreover, project tasks add to your resume and provide tangible proof of your abilities to a potential employer.

Conclusion

As can be seen, the IT environment is changing radically at a fast pace, with old norms and standards giving way to considerations of efficiency and agility. In this environment, you should rely more on keeping in step with current developments in your field instead of a degree you earned a few years ago. Pursuing relevant certifications, developing your skills continuously and taking up a variety of projects is the approach that helps IT professionals today build an impressive career, even in the absence of a formal degree.