Career Development
How to Start Your IT Career: A Roadmap for Beginners
Article by: Peter Omollo Updated: 13-Mar-2025Starting an IT career can be exciting and rewarding, but knowing where to begin can be overwhelming. This guide provides a clear roadmap for beginners looking to enter the tech industry. From understanding key IT career paths to identifying essential skills and certifications, we break down the steps to help you build a solid foundation in areas like software development, cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and more. Whether you're just starting or considering a career shift, this guide will set you on the right path.
If you are considering starting a career in IT, you are in great company! The tech industry is booming, making it one of the most lucrative and sought-after fields today. Whether you are considering a career change or stepping into the workforce after graduation, the tech industry offers a wealth of opportunities. However, for those just starting out, the vastness of the industry can be overwhelming. With so many IT fields to choose from, how do you even know where to start?
Understanding the IT Landscape
The tech industry encompasses a wide variety of careers, each with its own set of responsibilities, skills, and technologies. From software development to cybersecurity, data engineering to cloud engineering, there are countless options. While it is exciting to think about all the possibilities, it is easy to feel uncertain or overwhelmed, especially if you are not sure which direction to go in. Self-doubt can creep in, especially when you see people who have been in tech since a young age and have years of experience. But remember, it is never too late to start!
Whether you are fresh out of school or looking to make a career change, the IT industry offers endless opportunities for growth, innovation, and fulfillment.
Popular IT Career Paths
When it comes to choosing a tech career, there are several paths to consider.
Based on industry rankings and job demand, here are some of the most popular IT roles today, which are expected to grow even more in the future:
- Software Engineering
- DevOps Engineering
- Cloud Engineering
- Cybersecurity/Security Engineering
- Data Engineering
- Machine Learning Engineering
These roles are not only in high demand, but they also offer competitive salaries and career growth opportunities. So how do you know which path is right for you?
Take a Structured Approach to Learning
It is normal to feel unsure about which IT field to pursue. The good news is that you do not have to pick one right away. In fact, trying out different areas can be a good idea to see what you enjoy most. However, it is crucial to approach this with some structure. Jumping between various fields without focus will only lead to confusion and burnout.
A better strategy is to start with the basics. Identify one field that piques your interest and focus on it for a few months. This will allow you to develop a deeper understanding and help you make an informed decision on whether you want to continue in that direction or switch paths.
How to Get Started: The Software Engineering Path
One of the most common entry points into IT is software engineering. This field is the foundation of many other roles in tech and offers a broad range of specializations. A software engineer is someone who develops applications—whether web, mobile, or desktop. Think about applications like Netflix, Amazon, or even the software in your car or smart home devices—all of these were created by software engineers.
Software engineering is an expansive term, and within it, there are several specializations you can explore:
- Frontend Developer: Focuses on the user-facing part of an application (the front end).
- Backend Developer: Works on the server-side components that handle data processing and storage.
- Full Stack Developer: Combines both frontend and backend skills to build complete applications.
- Mobile App Developer: Specializes in developing applications for Android or iOS.
- IoT Developer: Works on software for connected devices like smart homes or smart cars.
Each of these roles has its own set of skills and technologies to learn, but they all share a common foundation in programming. If you are just getting started, I recommend learning JavaScript. It is a versatile language used in both frontend and backend development, making it a great entry point into software engineering.
Practical Learning: Build Projects
Once you have grasped the basics of programming, it is time to apply what you have learned. Start by working on simple projects. This could be as simple as a personal website, a to-do list app, or a small database application. The key is to learn by doing. By building real-world projects, you will understand how software is structured and gain hands-on experience with the development process.
If you are focused on web development, you wll want to familiarize yourself with technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For mobile development, you will need to learn Swift (for iOS) or Kotlin (for Android). As you advance, you can dive deeper into more specific frameworks or programming languages based on the type of development you are interested in.
Transitioning to Other IT Fields
The good news is that the knowledge you gain in software development is not limited to just one role. If you start with software engineering but later decide to pursue DevOps, cloud engineering, or even data engineering, your programming skills will transfer across these fields. Many of the concepts, such as databases, cloud computing, and automation, are interconnected.
DevOps Engineering: A Popular Transition
DevOps is another rapidly growing field in IT, focused on automating the processes in the software development and release cycle. DevOps engineers work to improve collaboration between development and operations teams, ensuring that software is delivered quickly and reliably. While DevOps can be a highly rewarding career, it does require some prior experience in software development or system administration.
For those starting with zero IT background, it is best to first build a foundation in software development and then transition into DevOps later. It is a great option for those interested in the "behind-the-scenes" work that ensures smooth software deployment and infrastructure management.
Cloud Engineering: The Future of IT
Cloud engineering is another high-demand field that plays a significant role in modern IT infrastructure. Cloud engineers design, build, and maintain systems on cloud platforms such as AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Microsoft Azure. As companies increasingly migrate to the cloud, the demand for cloud engineers has skyrocketed.
For beginners, cloud engineering is an excellent entry-level role. You can start by learning about cloud platforms like AWS and obtaining certifications, such as the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification. This will give you a solid understanding of cloud services and help you secure your first job in the field.
Cybersecurity: Protecting the Digital World
No matter what area of IT you pursue, security will always be a crucial aspect. Cybersecurity professionals are responsible for protecting networks, data, and systems from cyber threats. Every IT role, from software development to cloud engineering, requires knowledge of security best practices to ensure applications and infrastructure are safe.
Cybersecurity is a growing field on its own, and specialists are in high demand to protect companies from cyber-attacks. If you’re particularly interested in security, this could be the career for you.
Final Thoughts
Starting a career in IT may seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can make it a rewarding journey. Begin with one area, build your skills step by step, and allow yourself the flexibility to pivot if needed. The IT world is vast, but it is also incredibly dynamic and full of opportunities for those willing to learn and grow. Whether you choose software engineering, DevOps, cloud engineering, or cybersecurity, the future of tech is bright, and you can carve out a successful career in it.
So, don’t hesitate to take that first step into the world of IT. Your future self will thank you!