Technology Industry
Innovation is unfolding at an unparalleled pace - right here in Maryland.Technology is expanding what’s possible for businesses, communities, and you! Now is the time to pursue a career in technology.
- Demand for skilled workers who can quickly learn, adapt, and become experts in new technology is increasing, with 377,500 openings projected every year until 2032.
- While technology capabilities evolve at a rapid pace, certification programs and colleges struggle to adopt and update curriculum, with 54% of current workers in need of upskilling.
- Over the time period of 2013 to 2021, the number of apprentices in the United States increased from nearly 500,000 to well over 800,000 with now over 27,000 registered apprenticeship programs in the nation.
- According to CompTIA, apprenticeships foster growth and progression in that 92% of apprentices continue working for the same company post-apprenticeship.
In an apprenticeship, you can learn relevant skills right in the places you’ll use them. In the 21st century, every business is a “technology” business, with industries from agriculture to publishing needing technology and technology specialists to power their work. The opportunities are endless! If you've ever dreamed of a career in tech, now's your chance to dive in and make it happen.
TECH PATHWAYS START HERE
IT Support, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data, and Cyber Security are all Career Pathways that can be pursued in the Technology Industry. Each pathway has entry-level components, certifications, and opportunities to pursue high-end lifetime careers. Industry leading tech companies like Amazon (AWS), Google, Microsoft, and more, all have certification programs - powering your reputation and skillset.
Get Started in IT Support
The IT support field is dynamic and diverse. Dive into the roles you can start your career from.
- Entry-Level Technical Support Specialist: Technical Support Specialists provide assistance to end-users with hardware, software, and network-related issues.
- Help Desk Technician: Help Desk Technicians provide more specialized technical support to end-users, often within larger organizations.
- Desktop Support Specialist: Desktop Support Specialists focus on providing on-site support for end-users' desktop and workstation environments.
- Systems Administrator: Systems Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and systems.
- Network Administrator: Network Administrators focus on designing, implementing, and managing an organization's network infrastructure. Many cybersecurity careers start here.
- IT Manager/Director: IT Managers/Directors oversee IT support teams and are responsible for developing and implementing IT strategies aligned with business goals.
Career Pathway For Getting Started in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Adaptability and curiosity are key! How will you impact the evolution of AI?
- Entry-Level AI Technician/Assistant: This role involves providing support to AI engineers and researchers by assisting with data collection, preprocessing, and basic model implementation.
- AI Developer/Engineer: As an AI developer/engineer, you'll be involved in developing AI models and algorithms, implementing machine learning solutions, and optimizing AI systems.
- AI Researcher/Scientist: AI researchers/scientists are responsible for advancing the state of the art in AI through theoretical research, experimentation, and innovation.
- AI Specialist/Architect: AI specialists/architects are responsible for designing and implementing AI solutions tailored to specific business needs and requirements.
- AI Manager/Director: AI managers/directors lead AI teams or departments within organizations, overseeing strategy, project execution, and team development.
- AI Executive/Chief AI Officer (CAIO): At the highest level, CAIOs are responsible for defining and driving an organization's AI strategy, vision, and execution.
Career Pathway For Getting Started in Data
The IT support field is dynamic and diverse. Dive into the roles you can start your career from.
- Data Entry Clerk: Data Entry Clerks input, update, and maintain data in databases or spreadsheets.
- Data Analyst: Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to provide insights and support decision-making.
- Business Intelligence Analyst: Business Intelligence Analysts focus on analyzing business data to help organizations make strategic decisions.
- Data Scientist: Data Scientists use advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to analyze complex datasets and extract valuable insights.
- Data Engineer: Engineers design, build, and maintain data pipelines and infrastructure to support data analysis and processing.
- Data Architect: Data Architects design and oversee the organization's data architecture, ensuring that data assets are aligned with business objectives.
You have real-world, hands-on opportunities in technology, with employers right here in our state! These opportunities are called youth apprenticeships (YA) and school to apprenticeship (STA), and they're your ticket to a terrific tech career. Wanting more? Check out some additional considerations.