Technology Career Path Page Header

Let’s begin with a few fun facts. The United States is the largest tech market in the world, representing one-third of the total global market. It represents an industry that accounts for the highest number of fastest-growing companies. The Internet of Things (IoT) now links millions of devices that were previously unconnected to the web. Technology sector reports indicate that the number of internet-connected devices will hit 50 billion by 2030. Organizations of all types (for-profit, non-profit, public sector) will need to deploy AI within their work activities over the next five years to continue to succeed in their respective areas of expertise.

The Big Picture

Top 10 Trending Technologies 

We should all agree that the only constant is change. Check out these top trending technologies:

What You Can Expect

Despite a robust job market for careers in the technology field, securing an internship or full-time position is a very competitive undertaking that will require a commitment on your part: commitment of time in your busy schedule, as well as quality of effort. 

There are many paths to a rewarding career in technology. Some of you will pursue a career with a large enterprise or a start-up, while others may prefer small community-based employment. Still, others will elect to become educators. 

A few careers in technology require post-graduate schooling, e.g., a PhD to become a Data Scientist. It’s not uncommon for recent grads to work in their prospective field for a couple of years before entering graduate school, testing their interests and learning valuable skills. Language skills can be immensely useful and represent a distinguishing characteristic in your candidacy for internships and first-destination career roles. 

The best ways to affirm your career interests are to speak with others who have experience with the career roles you are exploring (family members, friends, alumni) and to do internships involving the knowledge and skill sets generally required in those career roles. 

Areas of Focus

  • Software Development/Engineering 
  • Data Science and Data Analytics 
  • AI and Machine learning 
  • Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality 
  • Robotics 
  • All non-technical career roles within the tech industry, e.g., product management, program management, project management, digital marketing and advertising, finance 

Top Resources

In addition to the resources accessible through Handshake, check out various events, programs, and resources to help you navigate your career exploration and development path on this CCI website. 

Campus to Career Primer 

Career pathways are an individually determined journey. This document is intended to delineate several of the traditional career pathways for students interested in technical roles within organizations across industries, e.g., software engineering and data analytics, as well as non-technical roles in the tech industry, e.g., product management, project management, etc., and can be a helpful tool for you to determine and design your first destination strategies and tactics. Contained in the Campus to Career Primer are:

  • Typical Career Roles and Pathways that may be relevant to CSCI and Math majors/disciplines; 
  • Three Stages in the Campus to Career Pathway;
  • Resources for students during their career exploration process; and
  • CCI Career Exploration Modules. 

Resources for Those Interested in Non-Technical Roles

e.g., Product Manager, Program Manager, Technical Writer, Data Analyst… 

The 10 Most Important Product Manager Interview Questions 

The types of questions you can expect in a Product Management interview are vast and varied. In general, you’ll probably be asked some of the following:  

  1. What do you see as a Product Manager’s main role within product development?
  2. How do you stay user-focused?
  3. What main changes would you make to [our product]?
  4. How do you see your career developing in the next five years?
  5. Tell us about a time you used data to influence an important stakeholder.
  6. Tell us about a time you faced failure and how you bounced back.
  7. How would you improve your favorite product?
  8. What’s your approach to prioritizing tasks?
  9.  Why do you want to work at [our company]?
  10. Why do you want to be/what do you love about being a Product Manager? 

Questions will vary depending on the role, the company, and the industry, and the types of questions you’ll be asked will change as you move through the interview process. 


Stories from the Field

Finding the right career path starts with hearing real-world stories and connecting with those who’ve been there. CCI offers a range of resources to help you explore careers, gain advice, and build meaningful connections.

MiddConnect

Need career advice? MiddConnect is your gateway to connecting with Middlebury’s global network of alumni and parent volunteers. Search an extensive database using filters like employer, job role, location, or major to find people who align with your career interests.

Use MiddConnect to:

  • Set up 1:1 conversations with alumni and parents.
  • Explore career paths and industries.
  • Network for advice when applying for roles.

MiddConnect is part of the Midd2Midd platform, which fosters mentoring, networking, and engagement within the Middlebury community worldwide. Whether you’re seeking a mentor, exploring career options, or sharing your expertise with others, MiddConnect helps you build meaningful connections across the Middlebury community.

futureforward

Watch alumni and parent leaders discuss their industries, share current trends, and provide actionable steps to help you break into those fields.

Live from DC

Watch live webinars featuring experts in policy-driven career fields, discussing how current events shape opportunities and challenges.

MIDDVantage

Explore virtual career exploration episodes featuring Middlebury alumni and guests offering insights into various career paths and industries.