If you are considering a career in the exciting world of new technology, you should perhaps consider attending one of many colleges and universities that offer degree programs for this ever-growing field. One such college is the San Francisco Bay University, specializing in preparing a workforce with the skills Big Tech needs.

Here are ten steps you should take if you’re looking to get hired in the exciting world of Big tech:

1. Earn a degree

While not necessary, earning a college degree can be very beneficial and is likely to help you get your foot in the door with Big Tech employers. Some look for candidates who have earned one or two certifications; however, this should not be relied upon as being the only thing that will get you hired.

2. Develop your skills

Many different types of skills will be helpful for this career. You should look into the ones that interest you and see what it would take to develop them even further if desired. These could include coding languages, operating systems, database management, networking, and more.

3. Get a certification

While it is not necessary to have one, getting a certification or two will help give you that extra edge over the competition. In addition, you should look at some of those offered by Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and others as these are likely to impress Big Tech employers more than those from other companies.

4. Network

Network with professionals in the industry. Just because you don’t have experience yet doesn’t mean that you can’t start now; this means getting out there and meeting people who might be able to recommend you for open positions as they become available. The more people who know about your desire to work for Big Tech, the better your chances of actually getting hired.

5. Seek out internships

While you might not be able to get one right away, it is still important for you to start seeking them out like you would a full-time position because this is the experience that will help you stand out even more, when you are ready to apply for one.

6. Volunteer your time

Volunteering is a great way to get experience without getting paid, though you might have to go out of town to do so. If possible, look into volunteering with companies involved with technology or at least creating new technology. You will gain exposure to this field, and it might help you get a foot in the door even sooner.

7. Take responsibility for your career

You need to be willing to put in the time and effort necessary to hire a major tech company such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, or Facebook. While you can’t control everything, you should look into education opportunities and internships that might be available to you.

8. Do your research

Before applying for any job with a major tech company, make sure that you know as much as possible about the company itself; this is especially true if it isn’t one of the top 10 tech companies. The more research you do, the better prepared you will be, and this can make a huge difference in your resume and interview performance.