When you start a career in technology, there are many different ways to grow your skills and move your career forward. If you're exploring how to start a career in technology, one piece of practical tech career advice is to stay open-minded about paths that support long-term career growth in tech. While I want people to be happy in their jobs, I always coach my candidates to be open to opportunities they may not normally consider.
Summary
Stay open-minded in your tech career by prioritizing job responsibilities and skill growth over titles, which vary widely across companies. Consider roles that may not seem ideal on paper but build practical, foundational experience, especially early on or when transitioning into tech. Once in a role, proactively say yes to extra projects to develop skills and build relationships. Don’t dismiss opportunities based on titles—openness can lead to unexpected, rewarding paths.
Let's start with job title.
Frankly, companies make up titles, and one title at one organization may be a different job at another. Therefore, when you are considering whether a job is right for you, focus on job title vs job description and the tasks you would do in the role -- not the title. For example, when you read an it business analyst job description at one organization, the same work might appear as Business Analyst, Project Analyst, System Analyst, Technical Analyst, Requirement Specialist, or Terminology Expert at other companies -- these titles can all be used to describe the same role. Similarly, sometimes software developers are given an analyst title, but they are expected to code and develop software. Read the job description carefully when applying to roles and ask questions in your interview to ensure you understand the job you are pursuing.
Next, think about the work itself.
There are technical roles that may not sound like exactly what you want to be doing on paper, but they will still give you the opportunity to grow your technical skills. These experiences can show you how to grow technical skills in a practical setting, including entry level tech roles that help you build a strong foundation. Be open to these roles as they may just put you on the right career path and launch your career in the direction you want to go. There is a sense that you must walk before you run, and it can be hugely beneficial to have the opportunity to learn about different areas before you can get into the ideal role, especially if you want to transition into tech from another field.
Then when you end up in a role, be open to doing any work that is needed.
If it is not in your job description, offer to help anyway! I tell people to say YES when you are asked if you want to help with a project or an assignment outside of your normal workload. If you have free time, offer to help with other projects or jump in to help someone else with their work. This may mean that some of the work will not be engaging, and that is okay. See this as an opportunity to grow your skills and make connections with your team and within your department.
Overall, this is your opportunity to grow.
Do not discount a job based on its title and take the chance to grow your skills. You may never know. Maybe you will try something and really enjoy it if you go in with an open mind.
Q&A
Question: Why shouldn’t I focus on job titles when applying to tech roles?
Answer: Because titles vary widely across companies and can describe very different day-to-day work. The same responsibilities might be labeled as Business Analyst, Project Analyst, System Analyst, Technical Analyst, Requirement Specialist, or even Terminology Expert in different organizations. Conversely, some “analyst” roles may actually involve coding. Read the job description closely and ask questions in the interview to understand the actual tasks and expectations.
Question: How can a role that isn’t my “ideal job” still help my tech career?
Answer: Roles that don’t look perfect on paper can still build practical, foundational skills that set you up for long-term growth—especially early in your career or when transitioning into tech. Think of it as walking before you run: exposure to different areas helps you learn what you enjoy, strengthen core competencies, and position yourself for your target role later.
Question: What should I prioritize when evaluating a tech job posting?
Answer: Prioritize the responsibilities and skills you’ll develop over the title. Focus on the day-to-day tasks listed in the job description and how they align with the experience you want. Then, use the interview to clarify expectations and ensure you understand the real scope of the role.
Question: Once I’m in a role, how do I keep growing my skills?
Answer: Proactively say yes to extra projects and offer help when you have capacity—even if the work isn’t always exciting. Taking on assignments outside your normal workload accelerates skill development and helps you build relationships across your team and department.
