#MoreThanCode: Why you don't have to learn to code to work in Tech and what you can do instead.

The road into tech looks pretty promising as an engineer but what if you don't know how to code?

It seems as if the only way to find your path into the industry is by becoming a web developer or having a CS degree from a top school. Many avoid pursuing opportunities for fear of not being "technical" enough and are unaware of the hidden roles that could be a good match to their interests and skills. 

After all, tech companies need people to design, market and sell their products -- not just code them. There are tons of non-technical and non-engineering positions that are essential to how companies and startups scale and operate. They are called hybrid tech roles and they’re growing faster than ever.

Hybrid roles include positions like data analytics, digital marketing and product management, to name a few. Despite their lack of visibility, they are accelerating quickly in the space and have no sign of slowing down.

What exactly makes them important? Here are a few things to consider:

More than 250,000 hybrid tech jobs have opened within the past year alone

250,000 is a big number, especially when we’re talking tech jobs. Engineering roles will always be a priority when it comes to tech recruiting; however, there is a lot of room for growth in other fields. Data analytics and digital marketing positions account for a large percentage of these positions as companies are realizing their importance on how they affect businesses internally. Digital marketing for example, has grown over 145% since 2011, largely because of shifts in the marketplace of how consumers receive and digest content. These jobs are also highly concentrated in tech hubs throughout the country making them easily accessible.

The average salary for hybrid jobs falls between 65K to 110 K -- well above the national average:

Developers are known for making top dollar because of their technical expertise, but that doesn’t mean you have to know how to code to break six figures. The average salary for hybrid roles fall in the late 60K to 100K range and compensation increases as you attain more experience. Product managers specifically make a national average of 111K, according to Glassdoor, given their position at the intersection of engineering and design. It’s possible to actually love what you do and get the salary to match and you don’t have to learn Java to get there!

Hybrid jobs require considerably less training.

The world of coding is rather black and white -- either you know it or you don’t. And if you don’t know it well then good luck to you! It takes time to learn how to be a rockstar developer and it can also cost you a pretty penny. Although there are a ton of free online resources that can help you, from my experience the best programmers are rarely self-taught and they require ongoing training to stay relevant. In a hybrid job you don’t have to undergo nearly as much technical training to be successful.

In an industry where code is king it's important to remind people that there are plenty of opportunities available. Tech companies need you, and not just in the engineering department.