FIHLIWEMATSA1 Thanks to the forever evolving technology, the tech industry is at its greatest peak and taking the South African working industry by storm. The great news is you don’t really need to have a degree to get a high paying job in this prospering industry. It is now easy to master a tech job in a short period of six months with the courtesy of online learning and bootcamp courses; you can learn at your own pace. In this article, we will discuss the best tech jobs you can find without a degree, the skills you need to acquire and where to start.
1. A Web Developer
Salary expectation for a Web Developer in South Africa: R250,000 – R600,000 a year
What Do Web Developers Do
- Create and manage websites using technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and using numerous frameworks like React or Vue.js.
Where to start:
- Find relevant courses on freeCodeCamp, Udemy, or Coursera and enroll
- Design your own projects and be a part of open-source projects on GitHub.
- Participate in online coding contests on HackerRank or LeetCode.
2. Digital Marketer
Salary Expectation for a Digital Marketer in South Africa: From R180,000 – R450,000 a year
What Do Digital Marketers Do
- Make use of tools like SEO, social media, paid advertising, and content marketing to increase traffic to businesses and increase sales.
Where to start:
- Enroll for relevant courses on Google Digital Garage, HubSpot Academy, and Facebook Blueprint.
- Create a social media page or start a blog to familiarize yourself with real-world marketing.
- Learn how to use SEO, PPC, email marketing, and analytics to polish your marketing skills.
3. UX/UI Designer
Salary Expectation in South Africa: From R250,000 to R550,000 a year
What Do UX/UI Designer Do
- They build user-friendly websites and apps in an aesthetically pleasing way.
Where to Start:
- Learn how to design apps and websites with Adobe XD, Figma, and Sketch.
- Enroll for a relevant online course on Udemy, Coursera, or Google UX Design.
- Create a portfolio of your designs to showcase to potential employers.
4. Data Analyst
Salary Expectation of a Data Analyst in South Africa: From R300,000 – R700,000 a year
What Do Data Analysts Do
- They gather data, process it and evaluate the data to help companies make better decisions by looking at the data presented.
Where To Start:
- Study how to use Excel, SQL, Python, and data visualization using Power BI or Tableau.
- Enrol in relevant courses on DataCamp, Coursera, or Udacity.
- Test your skills on Kaggle that deals with real world datasets.
5. IT Support Specialist
Salary Expectation of An IT Support Specialist in South Africa: From R180,000 – R350,000 a year
What Do IT Support Specialists Do
- They make sure that systems function properly by troubleshooting hardware and software problems.
Where To Start:
- Enroll and get a certification in CompTIA A+ or Google IT Support Professional Certificate.
- Enroll in Cisco’s CCNA courses for introduction to networking.
- Gain real world experience by fixing computers and managing networks.
6. Cybersecurity Analyst
Salary Expectation For A Cyber Security Analyst in South Africa: From R400,000 – R800,000 a year
What Do They Do
- Their main duty is to shield companies from online attacks. They monitor systems and perform security assessments.
Where To Start:
- Enroll on Cybrary, Udemy, or Coursera for relevant courses.
- Obtain a certification in CompTIA Security+ or Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
- Gain real world experience in ethical hacking on platforms like TryHackMe or Hack The Box.
7. Cloud Computing Specialist
Salary Expectation in South Africa: From R500,000 – R1,000,000 a year
What Do Cloud Computing Specialists Do
- Oversees cloud-based services and infrastructure, these services include Google Cloud, AWS, and Azure.
Where to Start:
- Find a suitable course in AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.
- Join AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure to build cloud projects.
- Learn more about cloud computing from tutorials on LinkedIn Learning.
8. No-Code Developer
Salary Expectation in South Africa: From R250,000 to R550,000 a year
What Do No-Code Developers Do
- Uses tools like Bubble, Webflow, and Zapier to create websites, apps and automated processes.
Where To start:
- Find online tutorials on how to use tools like Webflow, Bubble.io, and Zapier.
- Find relevant courses on Makerpad, Udemy, or Coursera.
- Practice by creating your own projects like websites or small business apps.
How to Land Your First Tech Job Without a Degree
- Create a compelling portfolio – in the tech industry, your skills are mostly valued over qualifications. Build projects that will showcase your skills and experience.
- Get a certification to validate your skills and knowledge and also to improve your resume.
- Network and join tech communities like tech meetups, LinkedIn groups, and Discord servers.
- Gain real world experience by freelancing through Upwork and Fiverr, and also apply for Internships
- Stay updated with new tech trends and evolve with the times.
Final Thoughts
Joining the tech industry without a degree has been made easy by online courses and bootcamp courses that can give you the required skills in under six months. If you are hard working and dedicated enough, you can land your dream tech job with a high paying salary. There is a pool of careers to choose from including cybersecurity, digital marketing, web development, etc. Just pick up your computer, search for the right course and start now.
