Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
There are a lot of factors that go into trying to find a great career fit. Ideally, you’ll find a role that blends your interests with a lucrative and growing field. And with the world of tech exploding around us, you’re wise to consider whether that’s the right career path for you.
But career regret is a real possibility if you get swept away in a tide of excitement. So, instead of jumping in headfirst, take the time to analyze some signs and personality traits that suggest you’d thrive in a tech career.
From problem-solving skills to a passion for innovation, these traits are great indicators that you should dive a bit further into everything a tech career offers.
1. You’re Naturally Curious
Do your friends tease you about your seemingly endless questions? Are you generally the person who wants to understand how things work? Do you have an adventurous spirit?
Even though you drove your parents nuts dismantling things as a kid so you could understand how they work, your natural curiosity is a perfect fit for the tech industry. After all, the entire industry is built by curious problem-solvers. New technologies result from people constantly asking questions, experimenting, and looking for new solutions.
2. Languages Fascinate You
Did you whiz through German in high school? When you travel, do you find it relatively easy to pick up a new language? Do syntax and structure naturally make sense to you? Aside from the obvious need to communicate in a global workforce, the desire and ability to learn languages signals that a tech career would suit you.
Coding languages vary from simple to extraordinarily complex. Those same analytical and logical thought processes that help you master spoken languages are a great indicator that you won’t be intimidated regardless of the coding language you may work with.
3. You’ve Never Met a Puzzle You Didn’t Want To Solve
Do you struggle to walk by a jigsaw puzzle or Rubik’s Cube without giving it a try? Or, perhaps you were giddy with excitement when others groaned at the word problems in your math classes. Similar to learning languages, puzzles require you to think in a systematic and structured way.
In the tech industry, attention to detail is critical, and identifying patterns and connections is vital. Not only that, but solving a puzzle often requires you to be persistent and willing to try multiple options before you find the solution. All of these skills are highly beneficial in tech fields.
4. You Find Yourself Thinking of Easier Solutions
Have you ever been sitting in a busy coffee shop and felt the vibe was hectic and stressful, rather than energetic and joyous? Do you find yourself analyzing the workflow of the baristas behind the counter? Do you notice some inefficiencies in their tasks and have to resist stepping in and suggesting a few adjustments?
If that sounds like you, a career in tech may be a good fit. After all, looking at a process from a high level and discovering ways to simplify it is a significant aspect of many tech roles.
5. Making the World Better Is Your Jam
The tech industry is so much more than the latest smartphone. If you’re passionate about leaving the world a better place than you found it, there are countless opportunities to apply this motivation in a tech career.
You might work on software that helps doctors diagnose diseases more accurately and quickly. Or, you could work with an educational startup that leverages technology to make education more accessible and equitable. Your projects can impact the world in extraordinary ways.
6. Data and Graphs Excite You
When you see a spreadsheet, does your mind get overwhelmed? Or, do you start categorizing the rows and columns, looking for the message in the sea of information? Making informed decisions based on complex information is the base of many tech roles. If you find data thrilling, that’s a great signal that you could thrive in a tech role.
For example, data analysts and data scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Tech leaders use the information they provide to make choices about updates and new product lines.
7. You’re the Resident Tech Support
Whether you like it or not, you always seem to end up in the role of tech support for your family and friends. It may not even be because you have any special skills but because you’re not intimidated by tech challenges. Between online research, a tech manual, and some ingenuity, you can generally hunt down the issue and resolve it.
That can-do attitude with a bit of research mixed in will take you far in the tech field. When pioneering new applications and uses, there isn’t a structured manual. Instead, you get to be at the forefront of change and keep digging away to find solutions.
8. You’re Comfortable in a High-Energy Environment
Where do you turn to renew your energy? In other words, how do you refresh your mind, and what environment do you thrive in? The tech industry is a fast-paced, dynamic industry. To succeed, you’ll need to adapt quickly to meet ever-changing demands. Consider your Enneagram type or your Myers-Briggs personality type to analyze whether you’ll feel run-down or invigorated in a career in tech.
Remember that you’re likely to run into tight deadlines and the need to analyze and apply data at a rapid-fire speed in the tech industry. Many roles have the energy of a startup, regardless of the company’s size. You’re on the right track if that sense of adventure and change excites you.
9. You Have a Knack for Communication
Are you the person who can strike up a conversation with almost anyone you meet? Those communication skills can be a great asset in the tech field.
Even though many tech roles are remote, you’ll rarely work alone. Not only will you generally be working on a team, but you’ll likely rely heavily on collaboration with other departments, customers, and clients.
10. You’re Eager for Flexible Work
If you had to choose between a bustling, open-office setup in a downtown high-rise or your home office, where would you end up? If you’re eager to work in a flexible role, you will find that flexible work options are vast in the tech industry. Many tech companies are diversifying their teams by working with professionals from all over the globe.
That ability to work with a distributed team has led to massive amounts of freedom for many tech workers. On the flip side, you’ll work with team members who might not always be readily accessible, and you’ll need to master time management and boundary-setting.
Building the Tech Career You’ve Dreamed About
Analyzing this list of personality traits and abilities, do most or all of them describe you? If so, you’ve found a career path you should explore. With determination and a sense of adventure, your problem-solving skills and curiosity can take you far in the tech industry.
