Technology and design careers are both strong job industries.
There have been significant technological advancements that open up a whole new group of jobs. Not only that but because so many advancements have taken place, companies are creating new positions specifically for employees who keep the company up to date.
For some companies, their success depends on having the most up to date technology. Design jobs are directly linked to technology. The more technology advances, the more opportunities are available for designers.
Several different types of jobs are available relating to both technology and design. Some jobs involve working individually with customers to help solve technical issues, such as repairing computers. Other jobs involve working with a team to address larger technical or engineering issues.
Numerous design and technological jobs are available to choose from, but some of the most common and popular career choices are covered below.
Computer Support Technician
Computer support technicians directly work with customers to repair any computer-related issues. Most computer support technicians spend their days working both over the phone and in-person with customers, depending on the severity of the issue. Smaller issues are commonly handled over online chat or through email instead.
Computer support technicians deal with a multitude of issues, ranging from small items like login issues to larger problems like broken hardware. This position is typically relied upon to fix software when it is infected with a virus as well.
Computer technicians are highly sought after in nearly every sector. They are most commonly found in education, government and healthcare-related fields. Some companies specialize entirely in computer support.
The work environment largely depends on where you are interested in working. If you do not like traveling to different job sites, get a job in a call-center to remotely help customers with their issues. Other customer support technicians are on retainer with a specific company.
For larger companies, you may work in multiple locations depending on where your services are needed. Other employers keep their customer support on hand to specialize in one location.
Some roles do not involve working with customers at all. Network technicians primarily repair network equipment, such as routers and servers. As a network technician, your only interaction with customers is responding to calls when something goes wrong. If it is a relatively minor issue you may have to walk the customer through it, but typically network technicians are called in to directly fix larger issues.
Because the job is so varied, no set job requirements exist. Having a background in computers or technology looks good on your resume. Some employers do set specific requirements for their employees, such as completing a postsecondary degree. Other employees require a specific certification, which is quicker to acquire than a postsecondary degree.
Web Design
Most companies, both large and small, have some form of online marketing. Companies with no physical presence solely sell products or services through a website. Even if you do not directly market with your website, it is an important advertising tool.
Websites are one of the most effective ways to promote a brand and reach new customers. As a web designer, you are responsible for creating websites. Web designers must be creative, and they must possess good listening skills as well. It is important to remember, as a web designer you are working for your client.
Even if you are not passionate about their ideas, you must be willing to incorporate them into the website you design.
Being a web designer means understanding technology, but it helps to have an artistic flair. Some of the tasks you are responsible for include coming up with favorable color schemes and deciding what typeface looks good on a page. Even if the site runs perfectly, it does little to help a company if the website is too off-putting to use.
Some web designers are only hired to make a website, but most web designers remain on retainer to address any issues with the website. Sometimes this means troubleshooting the website, while other times it means making updates or changes to a website.
Like support technicians, web designers do not have any technical requirements, but many choose to pursue a two or four-year degree to boost their resumes. Certificate programs are available for web designers as well. Some classes are only a few weeks, while others take several months to complete.
Graphic Design
Graphic design focuses as much on marketing as it does technology. Graphic designers are responsible for coming up with advertisements and other displays to show off specific products or ideas.
Graphic designers handle many types of projects. Some are small and only involve creating one or two images for a project, like a basic website banner or a logo. Other projects are much larger, like creating billboards or designing a sales packet to pitch a new product. Depending on the size of the project, graphic designers work as a team to get the job done.
Some graphic designers work as freelancers, taking on projects with various companies. Others prefer to work on the marketing team of a specific business. Select graphic design companies offer some of the same freedom of being a freelancer but provide the security of having a preexisting pool of clients and better advertising opportunities.
Having some sort of marketing degree is important for graphic designers. Many graphic designers have either a postsecondary degree relating to technology or at least certification with different graphic programs. Many graphic designers start out as interns to get hands-on experience.
Architectural Drafting
Architectural drafting is an important career combining both technological and design aspects. Many educational requirements exist to become an architectural drafter, and even with the necessary degrees and certification, the job market is competitive. Architectural drafters have some of the highest salaries and work on the most exciting projects.
The main job of the drafter is to create blueprints and digital models for large projects, such as new roadways and buildings. Drafters must be able to adjust their designs in real-time as needed to reflect changes in the project. Many drafters are hired to work on government projects, but large construction companies hire architectural drafters as well.