Top 5 High-Demand, Non-Technical Jobs in Tech and How to Break In
When people think about careers in tech, coding and engineering roles usually come to mind. But did you know that many of the most sought-after positions in tech don’t require a technical background? Whether you're a communications whiz, an analytical thinker, or someone with a passion for design, there’s a place for you in tech. The key is translating your unique skills into roles that the industry needs.
From personal experience, I’ve learned that college is where you start building skills that can lead to a successful career in the tech industry—even if you're not in a technical role. I didn’t take a single coding class in college, yet here I am with a decade of experience in the tech industry under my belt (though, note to my younger self: take the coding class, too!). Instead, I spent my time writing essays, reading countless books, and balancing a varsity team alongside involvement in various clubs and intramurals. These experiences helped me develop crucial skills like time management, problem-solving, and effective communication, laying the foundation for my career in recruiting and coaching. Showcasing the abilities you build both inside and outside of the classroom is crucial for entering the tech world.
Here are five high-demand, non-technical jobs in tech—and how you can land them.
1. Product Manager: Translating Vision into Action
Skills You Need: Project management, communication, leadership, strategic thinking
Why It's in Demand: Product managers are the glue that hold tech teams together. They work closely with engineers, designers, and marketers to define the product roadmap and ensure that teams are aligned on goals. Your ability to juggle projects and communicate effectively will shine here.
College Activities That Help:
Leading student clubs or organizations, especially if you organized events or oversaw multiple initiatives, gives you strong project management experience.
Being part of a student government role where you coordinated between different departments or groups mirrors a product manager’s job of aligning various teams.
How to Get Started: Highlight any leadership roles you’ve held—whether in student government, club presidency, or even managing group projects in class. Consider learning Agile methodologies or earning certifications like Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
2. UX Researcher: Understanding Human Behavior to Design Better Products
Skills You Need: Empathy, research, psychology, communication
Why It's in Demand: UX researchers gather insights on how people interact with tech products, helping companies design better user experiences. If you have strong research skills or an interest in psychology, this role allows you to explore how human behavior shapes technology.
College Activities That Help:
Taking courses or working on projects related to psychology, sociology, or research methods will give you a foundation in understanding human behavior.
Participating in usability testing for apps or student projects, or even running surveys for research papers, is great experience to showcase.
How to Get Started: Look for opportunities to participate in research projects during college. Volunteer for usability testing groups or conduct surveys for apps built by student developers. Build your portfolio by analyzing and presenting findings from these tests.
3. Content Strategist: Telling Stories that Connect
Skills You Need: Writing, storytelling, brand strategy, content creation
Why It's in Demand: Tech companies need clear, compelling content to communicate their value. Whether it's writing blog posts, creating social media content, or strategizing brand messaging, content strategists ensure that messaging resonates with the target audience.
College Activities That Help:
Writing for a student newspaper, blog, or managing social media for a club or organization shows you're already creating content with a target audience in mind.
Running for leadership in student clubs where you managed communications or developed campaigns to promote events or initiatives is key.
How to Get Started: Highlight any writing experience you’ve gained in school. If you managed social media accounts for a club or wrote articles for a publication, make that part of your portfolio. Consider refining your skills with tools like Yoast SEO and Grammarly to optimize your writing for the web.
4. Sales Development Representative (SDR): Turning Leads into Customers
Skills You Need: Sales, negotiation, communication, customer service
Why It's in Demand: SDRs are crucial for generating leads and building relationships in tech sales. This role requires someone who is competitive, goal-oriented, and thrives on connecting with others.
College Activities That Help:
Student athletes are a perfect fit for SDR roles—your competitive drive and discipline make you well-suited for sales environments. Teamwork and leadership from sports also translate directly into these roles.
Leadership roles in Greek life or student organizations where you recruited members or managed events can be great examples of your sales and people skills.
How to Get Started: If you were part of a sports team or held leadership positions in clubs, emphasize your ability to set and achieve goals, collaborate with others, and take initiative. Sales is about resilience, so highlight experiences where you overcame challenges or persisted to achieve results.
5. Digital Marketer: Driving Engagement with Data-Driven Strategies
Skills You Need: Social media, content creation, analytics, SEO
Why It's in Demand: Digital marketing is essential to reaching the right audience. Companies need marketers who can create and execute campaigns that engage users and drive sales, using data and creativity.
College Activities That Help:
Running social media campaigns for student clubs or events will help you demonstrate experience in crafting engaging content and tracking its success.
Working on marketing projects in courses or taking electives on advertising or digital media gives you a head start in learning the language of marketing.
How to Get Started: Showcase any social media management you’ve done for student organizations or your own personal brand. Learning tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, and SEO will give you a competitive edge when applying for these roles.
How to Land One of These Jobs
Just like you, I once wondered how my non-technical skills could translate into this fast-paced industry. Here’s what worked for me—and can work for you too:
Tailor Your Resume: When I transitioned to working with tech clients, I focused heavily on highlighting transferable skills like communication, project management, and strategy. The trick is to showcase the skills and experiences that match the role you're applying for, even if you haven't held the exact job title before.
Showcase Your Experience and Interest: You might not have a long history in the tech industry, but that doesn’t mean you lack experience. Focus on projects, internships, student leadership roles, or volunteer work where you demonstrated relevant skills. Employers are not only looking at your past—they want to see your passion and potential. Make sure your resume and cover letter convey your enthusiasm for the role and how your skills will make an impact. Show them that even as a new grad, you’ve been actively pursuing opportunities to grow in these areas.
Learn the Language: Learning the basics of tech roles helped me better understand my clients’ needs and bridge the gap between technical and non-technical worlds. Whether it’s picking up Agile methodologies or understanding basic coding, a little extra knowledge will set you apart. Free courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy can teach you these fundamentals.
Conclusion: Your Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think
As someone who transitioned from a non-technical background myself, I know how intimidating it can be to break into tech. But if my story teaches anything, it’s that the tech industry thrives on diverse perspectives and skill sets. Whether you're a strong communicator, a savvy marketer, or a creative problem-solver, there’s a place for you in tech. The key is recognizing your strengths, translating them into in-demand roles, and confidently stepping into the industry.
Don’t let the lack of a technical background hold you back—tech needs people like you, and I’m here to help you make the leap!