business.com receives compensation from some of the companies listed on this page. Advertising Disclosure

Home

20 Top Career Paths for Tech Geeks

Deb Dey
Deb Dey

If you love technology and data, these are the careers for you.

Are you a self-proclaimed tech geek? Do you love dealing with computers?

Are you looking for an attractive career opportunity to pursue? Keep on reading and find out some of the best career paths that will work best for you.

1. Data scientist

As a data scientist, you will need to understand the algorithms behind data science, engineer data sets and communicate solutions that are tailor-fitted to the needs of the client. You can work with big brands, or you can pursue a freelance career if you seek freedom. To start with, check out MastersInDataScience.org's Data Scientist Guide and learn how the latter can help you build your knowledge and skills to pursue an opportunity in data science.

2. Computer systems analyst

In this modern age of business, companies rely on the use of computers. Therefore, they will need an expert with the main responsibility of evaluating and improving the computer system in an organization, making sure that it is foolproof. According to Forbes, the median salary is $78,000, and the demand for this position is expected to grow as much as 22% from 2010 to 2020.

3. Software developer

When we talk about jobs for tech whizzes, a software developer is one of the first things that come into mind. If you are good at programming and creating software solutions to meet the needs of an organization, you are in for a treat. The job roles include coding and testing new software, troubleshooting existing software, and collaborating with stakeholders to develop the right software.

4. Mobile application developer

In an age when people are always on their smartphones, there is a huge demand for mobile application developers. Basically, you will need to develop a mobile app that satisfies the needs of a business. You will need analytical and programming skills to be successful in this career path. Essentially, most of the things that you do will be similar to a software developer's duties. Nowadays, even small businesses utilize the power of mobile applications to propel success, providing plenty of work opportunities for mobile app developers to tap. The challenge is to create an app that is engaging, relevant and unique.

5. IT security specialist

Organizations are confronted with different types of cybersecurity threats, which can be a significant risk. Hackers can use confidential and sensitive information in such a way that it can be a significant danger for the business. Hence, there is high demand for professionals who can provide a secure IT infrastructure, which can give the management peace of mind. They also help to give customers peace of mind that any information they share with the company stays safe.

6. Video game developer

Video game developer is a good career for those who love playing video games. You will be designing the actual game, including aesthetics. From the characters to the plots, you will have control over the game. Aside from designing the games, you will program and test them to make sure they will satisfy the needs of the players. According to Glassdoor, a game developer can yield an average annual base pay of $101,932.

The mere mention of the word "hacker" already conjures negative images. However, you can do it legally and receive generous compensation for your skills. Also called white hat hacking, the practice involves testing the IT security of an organization's system and evaluating its vulnerabilities. Certified Ethical Hackers have an annual income of up to $99,000.

8. Computer hardware engineer

Where there are software engineers, there is also a computer hardware engineer. Basically, this profession involves design, development and supervision of computer hardware, including circuit boards, chips, printers, modems and keyboards. Their job is similar to that of electronics engineers, the main difference being that their concentration is computer technology. They create prototypes of new hardware and supervise manufacturing, among other things.

9. Statistician

Statisticians use available data to make well-informed decisions. Aside from deciding the data they need, they collect information, design experiments and report conclusions. According to U.S. News, the median annual salary is $84,060, with more than 12,600 jobs available in the country and an extremely low unemployment rate of 0.9%. Statisticians work in various settings, such as education, healthcare, sports, public safety, and environmental and social sciences.

10. Computer network architect

This profession involves designing, building and keeping data communication networks. The specific duties include the creation of plans for data communication networks, upgrading current hardware to meet the requirements of the computer network, and implementing innovative technologies that help the organization to confront the future and become more competitive. It requires analytical, leadership, interpersonal and organizational skills, among others.

11. Cloud administrator

Cloud technology provides plenty of benefits, including improvements in collaboration and accessibility. It is also a green technology. It is important for organizations to have a cloud administrator and take advantage of that person's ability to make the most of the company's adoption of cloud technology. The job entails making sure that the cloud platform tools are delivering the best performance without compromising security.

12. Business intelligence analyst

Business intelligence analysts gather the information that an organization uses to make the right decisions. They maximize the utility of data and ensures their accuracy, making it useful in decision-making. They mine data from various sources, analyze data trends, recommend solutions for a more profitable business, and determine the actions management needs to undertake to fulfill its goals and objectives.

13. SEO consultant

If you want to crunch numbers and analyze results, SEO consultant is an attractive job opportunity. Your primary concern is to ensure the presence of high-quality content that ranks the client on the first page of search engine sites. Increasing traffic and optimizing content are some of the main responsibilities. Aside from the textual content, you need to know how to optimize videos and photos to achieve the top spot in search engines.

14. UX designer

User experience design is all about creating products that provide a meaningful experience to customers. The main job of UX designers is to design for a better experience. It is user-centered design that involves thorough desk and field research to determine exactly what users want.

15. Artificial intelligence engineer

A lot of organizations are embracing AI to improve efficiency, cut costs, increase profitability and become more competitive. To make this possible, companies need to have a knowledgeable AI engineer. They are IT professionals who make sure that AI and machine learning implementation does not meet with serious problems. They help make the most of AI to come up with faster and better decisions. These professionals need knowledge in software development, data science and data engineering, among other things.

16. Accessibility specialist

These professionals improve the accessibility of certain products, making sure they will be easy to use. They work with product, user experience and user interface designers. From websites to devices, the job requires the need to make products more accessible to all users. Experience and expertise in assistive technology will help to land a job as an accessibility specialist.

17. Interaction designer

This isn't as popular as the jobs mentioned above but equally promising for tech geeks looking for attractive job opportunities. It belongs under the umbrella of user experience, since it has the main goal of delivering better experiences. It is the creation of interactions between products and users. The job entails the creation of engaging interfaces for more effective communication.

18. Agile software developer

Agile software development requires sustainable development to ensure that the software doesn't have security issues and performance problems. Certain principles guide agile software development, such as simplicity, regular adjustments, building projects around motivated and trusted individuals, face-to-face communication during the development of the project, and welcoming changing requirements.

19. Front-end developer

Front-end web development or client-side development is involved in the creation of interaction and user experience to run a website. The core elements of front-end development are JavaScript, CSS and HTML. It brings into life the concept of the designers. It also creates custom user experiences and implements a mobile-responsive site.

20. Full-stack developer

The job of full-stack developer entails the need to be familiar with server and client software. This is a technical job that requires knowledge of programming servers, browsers and databases. Full-stack developers are not experts in a single skill: The job requires horizontal technology development, which is why there is a need to be an expert in different modules or stacks.

Image Credit: Fotoinfot/Shutterstock
Deb Dey
Deb Dey
business.com Member
I am the CEO of a small startup - 3Leaps. I love marketing and I like to come up with innovative ideas to solve real world complex problems. I also like design fast loading websites for small businesses and when I am not at my desk, I love exploring nature.