Tech jobs are the hot ticket these days, and even careers that haven’t normally required tech know-how (like the journalism we do here) are moving towards areas like data science, analytics and UX design. Considering the big salaries we keep hearing about in Singapore’s tech industry, which surpassed their European equivalents for the first time, and the flexibility to work remotely, it’s not surprising that many of us look at technology careers and think: wonder if I could do that?
But before you embark on your adventure of tech world domination, does your personality match the gig? The beauty of the tech industry is how diverse and broad the scopes of work can be. You don’t have to necessarily be a parody of Silicon Valley to find a home here.
Curious about where you might fit? We’ve partnered with the Vertical Institute, which hosts regular tech bootcamps for three of the industry’s most sought-after jobs, to break down what employers look for in potential tech stars.
UX Designer
The Compassionate Thinker
Why UX Design?
There are many different types of backgrounds that can make the jump into the world of UX Design, making it a very attractive tech field to dive into given the high earning potential compared to other industries that use a similar basket of skills — Glassdoor estimates a median income of S$9,825 between base pay and bonuses. Depending on your experience and the size of the company, lots of places will offer salaries into the six-figure range.
Also, job opportunities are growing — according to LinkedIn, there was a twenty percent jump in UX hires between 2019 and 2020. In Singapore, in particular, there is a growing demand for UX designers (and this gap doesn’t seem to be closing any time soon). No programming is needed at all, and is a natural fit for those who love to engage with people. It also opens up opportunities to work with some of the world’s biggest companies, like Meta, YouTube, Samsung, and more.
What qualities do UX designers have?
They are good listeners
To understand someone, you need to walk a mile in their shoes. Good UX designers understand that the only way to truly know what users, stakeholders and communities need is by paying attention to what they say, not ignoring it.
They have empathy
Receiving feedback isn’t enough, UX designers need empathy for the people they are listening to. They need to be able to understand what it must be like to be someone else, and truly care about that experience.
They are humble
If you can’t accept the feedback you are getting from users and stakeholders, UX design isn’t for you. Good UX designers know how to put their ego at the door, and drive results based on feedback and what others are saying.
Wondering how to get started in UX?
Vertical Institute’s UX Design Bootcamp will teach you the ins and outs of this process. You will learn how to research human behavior using data, creative informative architectures, and get your hands dirty with wireframing & prototyping using Figma—ultimately ending off with building your first UX portfolio project.
Data Scientist
The Inquisitive Technician
Why Data Science?
As we are increasingly relying on data in our day-to-day lives, it should come as no surprise that the data scientist consistently ranks as one of the fastest-growing jobs. In Singapore specifically, the position of data scientist came in at fifth in LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report. Glassdoor indicates that data scientist roles in Singapore start off at an annual base income of approximately $72,000. Data science is also a ubiquitous requirement for most big businesses, so there is an element of job security that is often appealing for folks looking to make the jump.
What qualities do Data Scientists have?
They are endlessly curious
Data scientists need to use programming languages like Python to develop algorithms that organize data in unique and abstract ways. Good data scientists are endlessly curious, constantly thinking about new uses for data and pushing the boundaries of how it can be understood.
They are clear communicators
It’s one thing to develop a rock-star algorithm, but it’s useless if people can’t understand in plain terms what it does. Good data scientists know how to communicate the significance of their efforts and how they contribute meaningfully to a company’s goals.
They are problem solvers
Data scientists often find themselves in uncharted territory, solving problems that are unique to their business or industry—or even diagnosing previously unknown problems. Good data scientists have a knack for tackling problems, even when the right tools might not be at their disposal yet.
Ready to kickstart a data science career?
Vertical Institute’s Data Science Bootcamp will teach you fundamental data analysis techniques and how to use machine learning to build algorithms that can make predictions based on data — an extremely helpful tool for most businesses. You’ll learn how to master Python, use it to clean up data, turn numbers into visualizations, and build machine learning models.
Data Analysts
The Logical Puzzle Solver
Why Data Analytics?
If you are a natural puzzle solver, this is the gig for you. Data analysts are incredibly important to a company’s larger decision-making. Like data science, the job is also in high demand across a range of industries, such as finance, tech, design, and a host more — and as this demand keeps increasing, so will the salaries on offer. The Robert Walters Salary Survey 2022 noted that salaries in the technology industry will see a significant hike, and in fact, 85 percent of Singapore-based tech firms have already implemented pay rises for current employees.
They are self-motivators
Good data analysts are proactive. They are tasked with searching for meaning in complicated troves of information and get excited to find answers before they are tasked by their boss to get to the bottom of a problem.
They love hunting for patterns
If trends were obvious, then there would be little reason to hire data analysts in the first place. It’s the hunt for patterns and trends that gets these people out of bed in the morning and makes them find things that others can’t. Good data analysts have a knack for putting data sets together to find trends that are not apparent to the naked eye.
They are highly pragmatic
So, you’ve found a trend and delved into its meaning, but are you right? People who make excellent data analysts are highly pragmatic, meaning they know how to take a step back and honestly assess whether their efforts are producing useful results. They know when something isn’t working and how to adjust.
Gain Data Analytics skills to be in-demand
The Vertical Institute’s Data Analytics Bootcamp will see you learn crucial skills to help leverage data and make business decisions. You will master key industry tools, like Excel, SQL, and Tableau, to work on a real-world dataset and solve business problems.
Level up your career with Vertical Institute
If you are looking to break into tech or want to upskill for your career, you can gain industry-recognized tech certifications by attending a Vertical Institute bootcamp.
The IBF-accredited bootcamps at the Vertical Institute all consist of seven lessons, each lasting three hours long. The classes are all held 100% virtually, so you can learn from the convenience of your own home. The programs are taught by experts from top companies such as Google, Grab and Gojek. The classes are community-driven, so you will meet and interact with plenty of like-minded people along the way.
There are also government subsidies available. Eligible Singaporeans and PRs may enjoy up to 90% IBF Funding off their course fees and will have to pay as little as $267.50. This remaining fee can be fully offset with SkillsFuture Credits. In addition, NTUC members can utilize UTAP Funding to cover 50% of any remaining fees.
To learn more about Vertical Institute’s bootcamps, you can click here.
