10 Myths About Careers in Technology That You likely Still Believe

Thinking of getting into tech but worried that you’re no good at math? There are plenty of myths about careers in technology that stop people from going for their dream jobs. We’re here to separate fact from fiction and debunk the most common misconceptions about working in tech.

1. Tech is just for men.

This couldn’t be more false. While it’s true that there is still a gender gap in tech, there are plenty of women with successful tech careers. And the Singaporean government’s efforts to close the gender gap are beginning to bear fruit. Data from the Ministry of Manpower shows that the percentage of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) increased from 29.9% in 2015 to 32.4% in 2022. In addition, support groups like Girls in Tech Singapore aim to promote a diverse tech sector. And the SG 100 Women in Tech Awards highlight women’s achievements in tech. 

2. You need a computer science degree.

You can get into tech without a STEM degree. The important thing is to demonstrate that you have the skills you need for your desired role. For this, you can take all kinds of short courses and boot camps.  Then you can build your own websites or apps on Github and add them to your portfolio. 

Plus, landing a job isn’t all about having hard tech skills. You can leverage the soft tech skills you’ve gained from your previous jobs—such as project management, communication, and flexibility—to get your desired role.

If you have your heart set on a highly technical role such as data engineering or software development, try a place-and-train programme. They are designed for people without an IT educational background, and these job placement programmes allow you to learn on the go. For example, there’s Microsoft’s #GetReadySG and IBM’s TechSkills Accelerator Company-Led Training programme.

3. You have to be good at maths.

Some tech jobs, such as data analysis, do require a high-level of mathematics. However, plenty of in-demand roles only require basic knowledge. Try being a digital marketer, UX designer, and customer success manager. You could also opt to enter the industry by getting a non-tech job at a tech company. After all, tech firms need HR personnel, accountants, and salespeople, too. 

Besides, as long as you know basic arithmetic, you can begin learning the basics of coding and go on from there. When it comes to coding, and honestly any job in IT, it’s more important to have good problem-solving and analytical skills than to be a math genius. 

4. You need to know how to code.

The tech industry has spread out into so many different specialisations, with many of them not requiring coding. It is especially true for tech-lite roles. For instance, you don’t need coding to work as a content strategist or social media manager. And if you go into a non-tech role at a tech company, such as HR, you won’t need to learn how to code. 

5. There’s no room to exercise your creativity.

There are all kinds of creative roles in tech. There are web designers, game designers, augmented reality designers, UI/UX designers, UX writers, etc. And no matter what your job is, you’ll need to use your creativity to come up with elegant solutions to problems. 

6. Tech is a solitary job.

If the idea of working all on your own day after day is putting you off, think again. Every job requires some form of teamwork. Even if you work from home, you’ll need to coordinate with your teammates and supervisors via apps like Slack or online meetings. Besides, employers often create opportunities for employees to bond, such as team building sessions. And if they don’t, you can always create your opportunities to socialise by suggesting a team lunch or after-work drinks. 

7. People who work in tech are all geeks who play video games.

This may not seem like a big issue, but, according to The Guardian, this impression puts off women from pursuing the field. First of all, there’s nothing wrong with playing video games or geeking out about your hobbies! Let people like what they like. Second, just like with any other industry, there are all kinds of people with different personalities and interests in tech companies.

Regardless of how you define “geekiness” and “nerdiness” these days, the tech industry has long proved that it plays a crucial part of daily life.  

8. Everyone in tech is young.

This is simply not true. Just take a look at tech company executives, such as Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, and Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. And even if you’re not the leader of a big tech firm, it’s never too late to upskill and transition into tech. The important thing is to be patient with yourself, be open to learning new things, and believe in yourself. 

The Singapore Government has a programme specially designed for career switchers who have no background in IT. The TeSA Mid-Career Advance programme helps Singaporean citizens aged 40 and above to reskill while working in tech-related roles such as software engineer, business analyst, cloud solution architect, etc. This initiative allows aspiring digital workers to develop the skills they need while getting hands-on experience and working with mentors. 

9. You’ll get stuck with a single career path.

As we’ve mentioned previously, tech is a massive industry composed of different fields. As technology evolves and permeates many aspects of life, new jobs and specialisations will continue to emerge. 

So, if you start in one area and realise it’s not a good fit, you can easily pivot to a related field by upskilling. For example, you might work in digital marketing, then discover that you have a knack for analysing data and become a business analyst. The possibilities are endless!

10. You’ll wind up working at a start-up.

If tech giants like Grab, Meta, and Google feel out of reach, and the idea of working for a small start-up doesn’t appeal to you, you still have plenty of options. Many SMEs are going digital and looking for talent with tech skills. 

For instance, many retail companies have opened online shops and will need web developers and UX/UI designers for their websites and apps. And any business that’s offering a product or service will need to do some form of digital marketing. 

Now that we’ve busted these myths about careers in technology, it’s time to go for it and #SEEKBetter jobs in tech! Learn more about switching to a tech career by checking out our Career Resources Hub. Then start your job search by downloading the Jobstreet App on Google Play or App Store.