What is Technological Culture and How Can You Become a Part

Career in IT / image from Depositphotos

It is believed that there are two kinds of people—humanitarians and techies. The former excel in interpersonal relationships, but may find algorithms and data challenging. On the contrary, techies thrive on numbers and engaging with machines. However, as the world increasingly moves towards automation and workforce reduction, it appears that humanities-based professions are losing prominence, prompting the need for change.

 

This raises the question: can a person with a humanitarian mindset acquire a tech background and succeed in this field? Let's figure it out!

How to nail down whether you need a background in technology

Statistics show that by 2030, demand for computer engineering and information technology professionals will increase by 13%

. This field also offers many perks, such as high salaries, remote work opportunities, and flexible schedules.

Technological culture is a broad concept. On one hand, it encompasses how society adopts new solutions. On the other hand, it can also refer to the atmosphere within a specific company. For example, many businesses prioritize fostering an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas and thoughts; this becomes ingrained in their technological culture.

 

You don't necessarily need advanced technical skills because technology-related work is diverse. You can be a project manager, business analyst, or designer. These directions require a humanities mindset, but still involve technological expertise.

 

Moreover, there are numerous solutions to streamline technical tasks. For example, in the past, designers had to manually manipulate an image to get a transparent background. Now, with the help of AI, this process can be automated. There are online background removers accessible from any device with an internet connection, e.g., Depositphotos Background Remover, which works with JPEG, JPG, PNG, and WebP files weighing up to 30 MB.

 

Project managers sort tasks on the DIY Kanban board / image from Depositphotos

 

If you're unsure whether to switch professions, ask yourself a few questions:

 

● Is there anything that genuinely interests me in the technology field? There is a belief that anyone can master a technical specialty if they desire to do so. But the most skilled professionals are those who have been interested in how computers work since childhood. Of course, you won't know for sure until you try. Nonetheless, consider what interests you in the tech development process specifically. It could be brainstorming ideas, teamwork, or solving complex issues.

● What career path do I want to pursue? Technical fields are frequently equated with programming, where specialists spend their time coding at a computer. However, this isn't always the case. Building a technical background doesn't always require mastering programming languages and frameworks. Instead, you can concentrate on understanding business logic, conducting research, and crafting comprehensive business documentation. Consider what aspects of your daily life you enjoy the most. It could be meticulous error detection or conveying information clearly and understandably.

● What skills do I need to develop? Soft skills are crucial in the tech industry, but hard skills are the primary focus for employers. There's no one-size-fits-all approach because each path is unique. For example, if you aim to become a front-end developer, start by learning HTML and CSS, then move on to mastering JavaScript and its frameworks. As a designer, you should prioritize mastering design principles, understanding user interfaces, and becoming proficient in graphic design software. On the other hand, if your interest lies in project management, focus on developing organizational skills, understanding project life cycles, and becoming familiar with project management tools.

In the tech industry, background refers to your skills and experience. For instance, you may be proficient in several programming languages or frameworks. The projects you've tackled also play a crucial role; for example, working on logistical solutions may differ from financial projects. Furthermore, teamwork is integral to the tech sector, so having experience in conflict resolution can be valuable in any position.

The first step is to figure out what role you want to play in developing technological solutions. You can be in coding, designing interfaces, or managing a team. Different roles require multiple skills. For example, if you want to be a designer, start by mastering compositional skills and specialized software. Then, you can dive into the details of user interfaces and experiences. For a project manager, having a basic grasp of programming languages and frameworks is useful, but communication skills are even more important for planning work and liaising with clients.

Should you feel blue if you find it challenging to acquire a technical background?

Some people aspire to enter the technology industry because of the high salaries, believing that it will benefit their lifestyle. However, this path also entails risks like persistent overwork and health issues from prolonged computer use.

 

If you feel that pursuing a technology background isn't your calling, perhaps it's worth considering something that genuinely appeals to you. Surveys indicate that 60% of employees prioritize a job they love over a lucrative one, while 55% believe that maintaining a healthy work-life balance outweighs financial gains.

 

A software developer working on a project in an office / image from Depositphotos

Legal aspects of gaining a technology background

Although technology is developed to assist humanity, it often comes with risks. For example, there are ongoing discussions about how AI poses threats to data security. Thus, technological professions involve numerous legal nuances that you should know about.

 

Data security / image from Depositphotos

 

Legal aspects of technical jobs include the following:

 

● Intellectual property protection. While developers are the creators of technological solutions, in most cases, the official rights holders are companies and stakeholders. All these details must be outlined in a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) stating intellectual property ownership and protection.

● Data privacy. The protection of users' personal data is governed by laws. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is accepted in the USA, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is in place in Europe. Moreover, it's essential to always be transparent with users about how your product collects, uses, and stores their data.

● Contractual agreements. All obligations between involved parties should be documented. Therefore, you need to be familiar with the specifics of employment and client contracts. Moreover, some additional development solutions require purchasing legal licenses to use them, e.g., software licenses or third-party services.

● Regulatory compliance. Each country has its regulations regarding the development and distribution of technological solutions. Knowing these rules and laws is essential if you intend to market your product in other countries.

To start, begin by taking an interest in how things work. For example, computers actually "communicate" using binary code, and programming languages are simply sets of rules that help transmit messages to the machine. To delve into the details, pursue education, participate in training sessions, and acquire new certifications.

Technical training can include formal education, courses, workshops, apprenticeships, certifications, and practical experience. The main goal is to gain hands-on expertise in solving specific tasks.

The technology sector attracts individuals with its high salaries and flexibility. However, mastering it requires a particular mindset. Although many professions in this field lie at the intersection of humanities and technical sciences, you still need to work extensively with numbers and algorithms. Even if a new profession seems too complicated and out of reach, practice and perseverance can overcome any obstacles.