When people think of technology careers, they think of developers.
But the ecosystem is must bigger than that.
Let’s talk titles.
Let me show you a diagram I put together to help people understand how big our industry is, and how much variation there is within titles, fields and our industry more generally.
Before I get hate in the comments, keep in mind every title varies drastically at every single tech company. I have had junior titles but been managing major projects, I have had senior titles but junior duties, there is little standardization. Except for the below.
There are not just titles to these roles, but levels.
This is how most tech companies do levels (I grew up in FAANG but you see similar in other companies). Oftentimes they have a matrix of duties, that corresponds to a paygrade, and decide where you are on the matrix.
And oftentimes, people in “soft skills” jobs will go into management, as they enjoy the social aspect, talking to people, and coaching others. They also have their own quota, oftentimes.
It is also worth noting that many people at the mid point in their career, choose a lateral move. Either they are not enjoying their current path anymore, want a lower pressure role, have family obligations/caregiving/obligations with others, or they just want to learn something different.
Many people change careers at the mid point, and at the director level, where they decide oftentimes to break off and start their own firm with their associates, or become a coach, mentor, or board advisor.
This is where you see lots of people writing books, making content, doing speaking. The individuals have gathered enough credibility and influence to start selling their own ideas. In the engineering field, many people leave to start their own startup and become a CTO/CISO/CIO, and partner with someone else to start a venture. This innovation is welcome in the industry.
Each director-level position has a few known exit opportunities. I have seen people start a startup, start their own consultancy, join a journalism practice, go back to school, leave for parenthood, etc.
Cloud Certifications from the Big Providers —
Amazon Web Services - AWS had Cloud Up For Her, which has now been transitioned into skill builder, which can be accessed here:
This includes training and certification, if you just want certification, go here:
[ ] https://www.aws.training/Certification This year, they did not openly advertise women-only scholarships, but emailed people in their database, so look out for that.
SAP Digital Skills and Certs for Women - This is a training center that also includes certifications:
Oracle - Oracle opens their "race to certification" every year and women get priority. It is a seasonal program, so check out the dates here:
Microsoft - Microsoft has partnered with Women in Cloud to offer free azure examinations and scholarships for women:
[ ] https://womenincloud.com/universal-digital-skilling-campaign/ Under the Microsoft "digital skills initiative" some certs include: PowerBI, Azure, and Cybersecurity.
Linux Foundation Free Certifications - These are absolutely a gem. I would encourage you to register for the linux foundation where they have certs on everything.
Please check it out here:
Introduction to Linux Course from Skillup and Simplilearn:
[ ] https://www.simplilearn.com/free-linux-foundation-course-skillup
Cisco - Has free Linux courses and certs focused on the Linux Command line under Cisco Networking Academy.
Here is the link to get started:
Open Source Security Foundation - Has courses on lots of different things with certs https://openssf.org/training/courses/
— Red Hat Linux —
[ ] Free redhat and openshift trainings: https://www.redhat.com/en/blog/red-hat-provides-free-learning-opportunities |
[ ] Free Linux Command Line Training: https://prep.fullstackacademy.com/