How to Start a Career in IT With No Experience

IT roles are increasingly important in the 21st century, as businesses continue to adopt wholly digital infrastructure. The job market for IT careers is a competitive one, with the number of job applications in the industry having doubled in the past two years. For candidates without previous experience in the industry, landing a first industry job may seem daunting or even impossible. However, with the right goals and skills, it is possible to find IT careers with no experience previously working in the industry.

If you re wondering how to get IT experience, one of the simplest ways into the industry is through a recognised certification. Lumify Learn enables you to study a wide range of IT courses online in flexible study plans that fit your schedule. Whether you want to learn artificial intelligence, upskill in automation testing or become a network administrator, our courses offer a convenient solution to gaining both practical and theoretical IT knowledge.

Understanding Cybersecurity Roles & Career Paths

Starting a new career in IT is as much about the role you enter into as it is the industry itself. There are a range of different sectors within IT, all of which suit different types of thinkers with varying levels of experience.

Data Analyst

Data analysts are responsible for collecting and arranging data in a way that displays and highlights trends. Building experience with public datasets in tools such as Microsoft Excel, SQL and Python will help you gain entry-level experience before transitioning to a career in IT.

Cyber Security Specialist

As a cyber security specialist, you will be responsible for protecting your organisation from a range of online threats. An entry-level certification is one of the most effective ways of learning cyber security skills if you have no previous experience, while internships are strongly recommended prior to applying for your first job.

Penetration Tester

By simulating cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities in their organisation’s security system, penetration testers are pivotal to cyber safety. If you have minimal experience, practicing in virtual labs and experimenting with coding are the best ways of building familiarity with penetration testing.

Data Scientist

Using advanced analytics, statistical techniques and machine learning algorithms, data scientists are responsible for solving complex problems and presenting insights from collected data. These roles are suitable for those passionate about both mathematical concepts and programming.

Cloud Engineer

Familiarity with cloud-based tools and platforms helps those with minimal experience attain jobs as cloud engineers. In these roles, you will design, implement and maintain cloud-based platforms for your business, creating a scalable IT solution for your organisation. 

Software Developer

A software developer is responsible for creating and maintaining commercial software applications, including for web and mobile applications. For those with minimal industry experience, learning programming languages, participating in coding competitions and taking on freelance work can all help you gain experience relevant to your desired career path.

Business Analyst

As a business analyst, your role will be to balance technical solutions with the needs of your organisation. Breaking into the market as a business analyst involves studying a range of business analysis methodologies and frameworks, while also developing skills with visualisation and data collection tools.

How to Get a Job in IT With No Experience: A Step-by-Step Guide

Landing your first job in IT with no experience can be a daunting prospect without proper planning. Fortunately, we have put together the following step-by-step guide to ensure your resume and job application tick all the right boxes with employers and recruiters.

Earn a degree or enrol in a certification course

Add substance to your resume and learn critical skills in one step by studying an IT certification. These courses provide key knowledge in programming, databases and networking, in addition to offering real-world opportunities and experiences. 

Take note of trending & in-demand roles

Decide on an IT specialisation by browsing what roles are most popular at the time you are searching. Whether you’re interested in becoming a data analyst, a cyber security specialist or following a DevOps career path, knowing what roles are popular in the market will help you plan your career according to the latest trends.

Demonstrate your skills through personal projects

Once you have built up a small amount of experience, demonstrate your skills by completing small projects. Create an app, set up a DIY network project or develop a simple website using an industry standard programming language to start building your professional portfolio.

Apply for internship roles

While you may be searching for IT careers with no experience required, the reality is that even entry-level positions require you to be familiar with critical concepts. Completing internships enables you to experience how the knowledge you have acquired is used in real world applications. 

Network with like minded professionals & teachers

Building a professional network is another important component of gaining IT experience. In addition to LinkedIn, attend industry events, join online communities and leverage the knowledge and network of your teachers to seek advice, career guidance and potential job referrals.

Start Your IT Journey With Lumify Learn

Many people wonder how to start a career in IT with no experience of previously working in the industry. Before you set about building your resume and portfolio, it is important to decide which area of IT you are interested in working in. After you have narrowed down your search, you can begin to build your technical skills and theoretical knowledge through courses, internships and homemade projects.

Gaining IT experience is made easy with Lumify Learn’s online courses, which are available for a range of industry-specific specialisations. From bootcamps to certifications and diplomas, our courses are the ideal way of gaining access to critical industry theory and its real world applications. Discover our courses today and find out for yourself how to start a career in IT with no experience previously working in the industry.