Thinking about starting a career in tech but not sure if it’s the right move? You’re not alone.
This post is a summarized version of a full guide by Daniel Daines-Hutt over at Zero To Mastery, where he breaks down whether tech is worth it, what the path actually looks like, and how to get started from scratch.
The Pros of Working in Tech
You Don’t Need a Degree
One of the biggest advantages in tech? You don’t need a college degree to get hired. Companies care more about your skills and whether you can do the job, not where you learned it.
That’s why most people learn through platforms like YouTube, online courses, or bootcamps. And the costs are a fraction of a university degree. For example, Zero To Mastery students have gotten hired at FAANG companies after just 5–9 months of focused self-study.
You can literally start learning the skills for $50/month instead of $100k in student debt.
The Salaries Are Fantastic
Even entry-level tech roles can start at $50k–$70k per year. And if you specialize, like in cybersecurity, machine learning, or cloud, you can hit six figures quickly.
Some people go from the lowest tax bracket to the highest with their first tech job. It’s a serious financial shift.
The Industry Keeps Growing
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech is expected to add around 356,000 jobs per year for the next 7 years.
Cybersecurity alone is growing at 33%, and companies outside the traditional tech space are hiring too. Yes, you’ll hear about layoffs, but the context matters:
8,000 layoffs at Amazon = less than 0.5% of their 1.5M workforce.
Compared to construction (2%) or hospitality (1.5%), tech is still one of the most stable and futureproof industries around.
Flexibility & Work-Life Balance
Remote and hybrid roles are common in tech, with many companies valuing outcomes over hours. You can:
- Work asynchronously
- Choose your own schedule
- Focus on results, not face time
It’s not perfect everywhere, but more and more companies are ditching the 9–5 in favor of flexibility.
There’s a Role for Everyone
You don’t need to love math or be obsessed with code to have a place in tech. Whether you’re creative, analytical, or a great communicator, there’s likely a role for you.
Examples:
- Visual? → UI/UX or Front-End Dev
- Problem Solver? → QA, DevOps, or Cybersecurity
- Love data? → Analytics or Data Science
- Organized & communicative? → Product Management or Tech Writing
👉 Take the Tech Career Path Quiz to find your match and get a roadmap to start learning.
The Flip Side: Cons of Working in Tech
Tech is great, but it’s not all sunshine. Here’s what to watch for:
You’ll Need To Keep Learning
Tools and frameworks evolve quickly. If you want to stay competitive (and get pay raises), you’ll need to keep your skills sharp.
For some, that’s exciting. For others, it can feel exhausting, especially if you’re used to jobs where you “train once and you’re good.” But it’s manageable. Just follow a solid roadmap and stay curious.
It Takes Work To Get Your First Job
No degree? That’s fine. But you will need to prove your skills, typically by:
- Completing a course or roadmap
- Building projects
- Creating a portfolio
- Passing technical interviews
You might also face competition and need to apply to multiple jobs before landing one. That’s normal, and totally doable with consistency.
The Culture Isn’t Always Perfect
There are amazing tech companies out there... and some not-so-great ones.
While many offer async, remote, and flexible vibes, others still want you in an office 9–5 or expect long hours. Just like any field, company culture varies, so be sure to ask the right questions when interviewing.
Pro tip: Look for companies that value self-ownership and clear communication.
TL;DR — Is Tech Right for You?
If you want flexibility, financial upside, and an industry with massive growth potential, tech is a great path. But you’ll need to stay adaptable, keep learning, and push through the tough early days of getting started.
Want To Start Today?
- Already know what you want to do? → Check out the tech roadmaps
- Still unsure? → Take the tech career path quiz
🧠 Full original post: Is Technology a Good Career Path?
Top comments (0)
Some comments may only be visible to logged-in visitors. Sign in to view all comments.