You’re thinking about a career as a tech professional and are weighing all your options. Are you a web developer or a data analyst.? Is UX or UI design a better choice? What about digital marketing, which is a rapidly growing field?
These are all high-paying career paths in recession-proof industries. Now you want to find the right one for you. Finally, you’ve found the right place.
This post will compare and discuss five of the most popular tech disciplines: UX, UI, web development, and data analytics. We will compare the daily tasks and what each career entails.
This guide should help you to have a clearer picture of the tech career you want. You’ll need an outstanding resume to get the perfect career. Visit the online resume writing service SkillHub in Washington and let the experts do the job for you.
Are you ready to discover which career path is right for you? Continue reading!
1. What role do UX designers, UI developers, web developers, data scientists, and digital marketers play in the business?
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There are many paths to take in the tech industry.
UX design, UI Design, web development, data analysis, digital marketing, and other related roles offer rewarding, exciting, and financially rewarding careers. However, each job is different.
Before deciding which field to pursue, you must understand the details of each role. So let’s first look at how these roles are connected in the context of business.
Let’s say we imagine an ecommerce startup called Beautify. Beautify sells all-natural cosmetics online through their website. This small but highly successful startup has a UX designer and a UI designer. In addition, a web developer, a data analyst, a digital marketer, and a web developer are some key team members.
The UX designer
The Beautify user experience designer is responsible for ensuring that the Beautify experience is enjoyable and smooth.
For example, is it easy to navigate the website? Is it easy for customers to find the information they need? Is it easy to checkout? The UX designer determines who Beautify’s customers are based on user research. He also discovers what Beautify shoppers want and need. These insights are used to help make smart decisions about the layout and design of Beautify’s website.
The UI designer
The UX designer has mapped out the user journey. The user interface (UI) designer is responsible for creating all visual and interactive elements that guide users through the journey. For example, how does the customer navigate from A to Z? What methods of moving from one screen to the next? What happens when they click on a button or swipe left to right?
The web developer
The Beautify website is a combination of UX and UI designers. They ensure that it is logical, intuitive, and accessible from a design perspective. The web developer brings it all to life. Beautify hired a full-stack developer to handle the website’s front and back end. They will code the website’s designs and ensure they work as intended. If you feel about this position, you can write an email for a job posting to be noticed..
Data analyst
Beautify is doing well now that the website is up and running. However, the CEO wants to implement a data-driven approach, so they hire a data analyst. The data analyst monitors Beautify’s website, analyzes business trends, and digs into customer data to understand how Beautify shoppers behave. These insights are used to improve and enhance the customer experience at Beautify by working with the marketing, design, and product teams.
The digital marketer
Everything is set up for an amazing user experience. However, beautify must now connect with people who could benefit from their natural cosmetics. The digital marketer is here to help! The digital marketer communicates Beautify’s value (and the brand) through various content distributed on the most popular channels Beautify customers use: Instagram, YouTube, and email. Also don’t forget to develop your professional personal brand on Linkedin, it will add up to your resume. In addition, the digital marketer creates marketing campaigns to build brand awareness, attract loyal clients, and grow a Beautify community.
Although we’ve only scratched the surface of what UX designers, UI developers, web designers, data analysts, and digital marketers do, you can see that each one is a crucial piece of the puzzle. So let’s take a closer look at each career path.
2. Overview of the career as a User Experience (UX) Designer
UX design considers all elements that create a specific experience from the user’s point of view. This could be the website layout or the placement of labels and signs in department stores. The UX designer is responsible for creating products, services, experiences, and products that are intuitive, efficient, enjoyable, and user-friendly.
UX design is a career option that you should consider. You need to know the types of tasks you can expect daily and what resume skills and attributes are associated with this field. Let’s take a closer look.
What is a UX designer?
The UX Design Process includes user research, wireframing, prototyping, and user testing. UX designers might be responsible for the following steps:
- Interviewing users
- Surveys and questionnaires are used to gather user feedback
- Analyzing research data to identify trends and patterns
- Creating user personas
- Definition of the information architecture for a digital product
- Creating wireframes
- Prototype creation
- Users participating in usability testing
- Facilitating workshops
UX designers don’t usually have to design a product’s visuals. Instead, they are responsible for creating the product’s architecture and providing a user experience. The UX designer’s role will vary depending on what company you work for. You might be the sole person responsible for product design in a small company. However, this role might be divided among multiple specialists in larger companies.
What are the main characteristics of a UX designer?
UX designers can come from any background and all walks of life. You don’t have to have a degree or experience in one particular field. You can learn UX design completely from scratch. And because it is such a multidisciplinary field, you will find many of your existing skills can be applied to UX design.
You must demonstrate the following qualities to be a successful UX designer:
- UX designers who can truly empathize and understand users’ feelings and experiences can be called “UX empathy.” It’s difficult to design products or services that are user-centric without empathy. This skill is something you will need to learn. Empathy can be taught. Start building your empathy muscles with these empathy-building methods.
- An analytical and creative mindset. UX Design is one of the few fields that can combine creativity with analytical thinking. You will conduct user research, analyze the data, and find patterns and trends. These insights will allow you to design based on your findings.
- You have a knack for solving problems. UX designers are responsible for designing solutions to specific user problems. You will also need to work within a limited budget and time frame. Your responsibility is to find a solution that meets both the users and business goals. This requires problem-solving skills.
UX designers need to communicate well. It’s a collaborative field requiring you to work closely with business stakeholders, fellow designers, product owners, developers, and users.
If you are interested in becoming a UX designer
UX design can be a rewarding career if it is about getting to the core of people’s needs, being hands-on with design, and impacting products and services. You can expect to be a UX designer with a variety of tasks, lots of collaboration, and a job that is both creative but also analytical.
3. Career overview: User interface (UI) designer
The space in which humans and machines interact is called the “user interface.” It’s similar to the touchscreen on your smartphone. However, UX design focuses more on making a product easy to use and effective, while UI design focuses more on how it looks, you can take a look at nanowerk.com to learn how to endorse your career.
UI design is a critical subset of UX. However, it is important to remember that UX (or UI design) is two different things. The job title of UI designer is an independent job requiring specific skills and abilities. So what does a career as a UI Designer entail? Let’s see.
What is a UI designer?
UI designers are responsible for designing all aspects of a digital experience. For example, they create all screens that allow users to move and the interactive elements that enable this movement (such as scrollbars and buttons).
User interface (UI) designers might be responsible for the following:
- A visual style guide can be used throughout the product to ensure consistency.
- Designing individual screens and deciding what elements should go where
- Graphic patterns and hierarchies:
- Creating UI elements like buttons, icons, and sliders
- Designing interactivity for each UI element – what happens when a user clicks a button?
- Choose color palettes, and choose a typeface
- Animations
- Creating interactive digital prototypes
Although most UI designers‘ tasks focus on visual and interactive design elements, there is also a psychological component to their role. UI designers design screens with the user in view, considering how color, spacing, and buttons can be used to create an intuitive, accessible, and user-friendly experience.
What are the main characteristics of a UI designer?
UI designers don’t just have to make websites and apps look nice. They also need to consider the implications of each design for end users. These are the essential skills you need to be a successful user interface designer.
- You must have a keen eye for aesthetics. You will be using colors, typography, and patterns to create a product that looks great. Although you don’t have to be a visual or graphic designer, you must have an eye for detail.
- A genuine interest in humans. UI design goes beyond making things look great. It also focuses on understanding how a product’s visual and interactive properties can help ensure a positive user experience. Interactivity principles and human behavior are important.
- Some tech knowledge. They can also use digital tools like InVision, Sketch, and Balsamiq. We have compiled a list of essential UI tools for beginners. However, you don’t have to be a technical wizard to become a UI designer. However, a little knowledge will help.
UI designers need to be able to work in a group. Communication is essential as the role requires close collaboration with UX developers and designers. UI designers must be problem-solvers, just like UX designers.
If you are interested in becoming a UI designer
UI design is a creative career that lets you put your artistic flair to good use. For example, suppose you are passionate about technology and want to make it beautiful, accessible, and user-friendly, are interested in interactive design principles, and love working with design. In that case, consider becoming a UI Designer.
4. Why are UX and UI often referred to as one role?
You’ve probably seen many job listings for UX/UI designers if you are considering a career as a UI/UX designer. So why is it that UX and UI are sometimes lumped together?
UX design and user interface are still new fields. This means that they are less well-known than, for example, dental or graphic design. They are often considered to go hand in hand and can be done by the same person, hence the numerous job ads you will see. The job ad writer may not be aware of the differences between UX and UI design and sees them as one job title. Companies will often seek designers who can cover UX/UI design. How can you tell what is happening?
Paying attention to the job description when searching for work is important. Are the tasks and responsibilities more similar to a UX or UI designer’s work? Is it possible that the roles combine both? Or is the person responsible just confusing UX with UI?
It can be demoralizing to see UX/UI job ads for hundreds of jobs compared to just a few UI design opportunities. To find the UI designer roles, look closely at the requirements and skills.
You might be curious about which program you should take if you are interested in UX/UI design. First, let’s take a look at your options.
What program should I choose? UI design or UX?
The UI design program is for you if you want to be a UI designer. It focuses primarily on the skills you need to be a UI designer but also covers the basics of UX design. You will be able to apply for UI roles requiring UX knowledge after the UI Design program. Remember that these roles are often called “UX/UI Design,” so keep this in mind as you search for UI design jobs!
We recommend the UX Design program, which offers a UI specialization. You’ll be able to master UX design and learn key UI principles that will help you excel in a combination role.
We recommend the Intro To UX Design Course if you want to focus your career on UX design and learn UI design skills. UX design is the foundation of product design. This one-month course will give you a better understanding of your options.
5. Career overview: Web developer
Web development refers to the creation of websites and applications. It is not about designing a website. But it is the programming and coding that will power the website’s functionality.
This guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of web development. But first, let’s look at what a web designer does.
What is a web developer’s job?
Web developers create and maintain websites, apps, and software. Web developers can work in the front, backend, or entire technology stack.
You might be a web developer and have to perform the following tasks.
- HTML and CSS are used to bring the designs of UX and UI designers to life.
- Ensure optimal display across all browsers and devices
- Construction and maintenance of the technology required to power the front (the elements that a user sees on a website)
- Database management and creation
- Conducting usability tests and fixing bugs
- Backend frameworks are used to build server-side software
- Develop and deploy content management systems (for example, a blog)
- To determine the specifications and needs of the product, we need to communicate with the owners
- Strategist and best practice advice
Web developers are ultimately responsible for creating a product that fulfills the needs of both the business owner or client and the customers or end users. In addition, web developers collaborate with clients, stakeholders, and designers to determine how the final website or product should look and function.
What are the main characteristics of a web developer’s work?
You don’t have to hold a lot of formal qualifications to be a web developer. However, consider the following qualifications if you are interested in a career as a web developer:
- Passion for problem-solving. Much of your work as a web developer is a process of problem-solving.
- A talent for building things. Web developers can use libraries, frameworks, and languages to create websites, apps, software, and databases. In addition, web developers are passionate about understanding how components work together to create a functional product.
- You need patience, perseverance, and a drive to learn. This is part of being a web programmer. This is an opportunity to be challenged and motivate some. On the other hand, it can be a source of frustration and dissatisfaction for others. You’ll need patience and perseverance if you want to pursue a career as a web developer.
Web development is more than just sitting behind a computer and writing code. As you will be working with other teams, you must communicate well. You will also benefit if your ability to think strategically and create solutions beneficial for both the user and the business.
Become a web developer if…
Web development is a career that will place you at the forefront of technology. You’ll be able to find your place in web development if you enjoy the idea of learning new programming languages and web technologies, creating products from scratch, solving problems, and building them out.
6. Career overview: Data analyst
Data analytics involves collecting, processing, and analyzing data to generate meaningful and actionable insights. These insights can be used to make business decisions. The data has overtaken oil to become the most valuable commodity in the world. This means that data analysts are highly sought after. So what does a data analyst do? Let’s see.
What is a data analyst?
Data analysts can be described as translators. They transform raw data into meaningful information that is easily understood by others. Data analysts study data to find trends that predict future patterns and behavior. This helps eliminate the guesswork in a business setting and allows them to develop real strategies.
Data analysts may be responsible for the following:
- Optimizing and setting up systems and processes to collect data
- Cleaning data to eliminate any incorrect, incomplete, or irrelevant data
- Analyzing data using statistical and analytical tools
- Identify trends and patterns in data
- Visualizations of data, such as charts or graphs, can be created
- Reporting is necessary to share and present insights.
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to develop business strategies and establish KPIs
Data analysts spend much time on the computer and using relevant tools and programs. However, data analysts don’t work as much alone as you think. They also have to share their knowledge and advise other stakeholders on making a data-driven decision.
What are the most important traits of a data analyst
A passion for statistics and data is a great starting point if you are considering a career in data analysis. Data analysts are also:
- Data analysis is about digging into data and looking for patterns and trends. Think of yourself as a detective trying to figure out the story the data is telling you.
- Analytical and methodical. Data analysts are very analytical. Data analysts are meticulous in their work. They collect the data, cleanse it, analyze it, then deduce and share insights.
- Business-savvy. Data Analysts bring tremendous value to organizations by showing how data can help drive strategies and make crucial decisions. Data analysts must have a basic understanding of business and a keen interest in data and business.
You background matters, so consider to write your education on resume to prove your knowledge. Data analysts and data scientists are different. This guide will explain all the differences between a data analyst and a data scientist.
If you are interested in becoming a data analyst
Data analysts can work with data and play a key role in business decision-making. If you enjoy numbers and statistics and want to make a difference at a strategic level, you should consider becoming a data analyst.
7. Career overview: Digital marketer
Digital marketing can be described as any type of online marketing. Digital marketing allows companies to reach their customers in a variety of ways. They use a mix of content and channels, such as search engines like Google, Bing, Twitter, Instagram, email, and their website.
What does a digital market professional do? Let’s take an in-depth look.
What is a digital marketer?
Digital marketers are responsible for creating and implementing marketing campaigns through various channels and using data to track campaign performance. This role requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a love of data. The specific tasks and responsibilities for a digital marketer depend on how you choose to specialize– e.g., as a web marketing manager – or if you choose to focus on one area, such as performance advertising, management of social media, editorial content, or copywriting.
It’s hard to pinpoint a list of tasks or responsibilities due to the wide-ranging nature of digital marketing. However, if you are interested in digital marketing, you can expect at least some of these responsibilities.
- Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy to market the brand or company.
- Content creation and distribution in different formats (e.g., blog posts, infographics, videos, emails)
- Research to gain insight into the target audience (e.g., creating user personas)
- Keyword research is necessary to find relevant content topics.
- To determine which versions or formats of content perform best, run tests
- Collaboration with external stakeholders to create content partnerships
- Collaboration with designers and product managers within the company to achieve branding alignment
- Data analytics tools are used to monitor performance across channels using different data sources
Digital marketers work well in a collaborative environment. They often collaborate with copywriters and designers to bring campaigns to life.
What are the top traits of a digital marketer?
You need to have an insatiable curiosity about people and the types of content that can appeal to them if you are interested in a career as a digital marketer.
- Experimentation and creativity are key. Digital marketing is about connecting with your audience in new ways. This involves trying out different content formats and channels, innovating what has been done before, and constantly finding new ways to keep people interested.
- Business-minded, strategic, analytical, and business-minded. Digital marketing allows you to measure key success metrics, track your marketing campaigns and analyze why they failed or succeeded. It is crucial to be strategic and comfortable with data. You must also be able to link your work to the overall business goals.
- Great communicators and collaborators. You can’t do it alone as a digital marketer. To help you create marketing assets, you will need designers, copywriters, or other creative professionals. Depending on your role, you might also be in direct contact with customers or followers. Therefore, communication skills are essential, and so is a collaborative spirit.
Become a digital marketer if…
Digital marketing is a career that will allow you to be creative and collaborate with other stakeholders. You’ll also need to keep track of campaign performance, analytics, and reporting. So if you’re curious, creative, and able to think outside the box and want to make a tangible impact on company performance, consider becoming a digital marketer.
8. What are the best career options for me?
You might now have a better idea of the work done by UX designers, UI developers, web developers, data scientists, and digital marketers. What if you are still unsure? You might like the user-centric nature of UX design, but you also enjoy the idea of learning code. Perhaps you can’t decide between careers of web development or data analytics. Or maybe you wish you could combine the work of a UI Designer with programming.
It’s important to realize that you don’t have to be a specialist in one field when choosing your career path. Many UX designers go on to learn UI design skills. It’s common for UX designers and UI developers to learn front-end development skills. Multiskilled tech professionals will always be in high demand. There’s no reason to stop you from exploring other disciplines.
Make sure to test it before you commit. The free courses are designed to give a quick introduction to each field. You can take a few short courses for free, attend workshops and meetups, or just talk to others already in your field. It can also be helpful to browse job descriptions– they’ll give you a good idea of what companies expect from each role.
Do some market research. What salary are you likely to make for each job title? What is the outlook for employment? What specialist career options are you able to pursue down the road?
9. How to choose your career in tech: Key Takeaways
Here’s a brief overview of five of the most exciting tech careers right now.
- Consider taking an introductory course to learn more about the job or talking with a career advisor about your next steps.
- You don’t have to think too hard if you still have some research.
- Learn as much about each field as possible and meet people in the industry.
- You can be a specialist in multiple fields.
- You can learn additional skills and specialize as you go.
This article and guide will help you learn more about becoming a UX designer or UI designer, a web designer, a data analyst, a digital marketer, or a UX designer.