10 Technical Careers to Study at Night (or Any Time)
Discover new technical skills to learn on your own schedule and the career opportunities that may be available.
![[Featured image] A web developer maps out the design for a new website on a white board using colorful markers and sticky notes.](https://d3njjcbhbojbot.cloudfront.net/api/utilities/v1/imageproxy/https://images.ctfassets.net/wp1lcwdav1p1/4DgnzomuUxnj9VbMDLMJUS/441123ff926ac4dfab3b14ced1aaf647/iStock-666884060.jpg?w=1500&h=680&q=60&fit=fill&f=faces&fm=jpg&fl=progressive&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=1&w=1000)
Just as remote work has become more prevalent, so have flexible learning options, making it easier to learn new career skills at night, between other obligations, or even while waiting in line at the grocery store.
Previously, night classes at your local community college or vocational school may have been your best option for studying a technical career at night. Now, you can enroll in certificate programs and bootcamps that offer virtual and asynchronous courses, available at any time, from anywhere with an internet connection.
Similar to technical vocational careers, such as electricians, mechanics, and plumbers, the careers we explore here often require problem-solving, troubleshooting, and specialized knowledge of systems. However, the nature of the work tends to be less physically demanding.
In this article, we’ll detail ten careers in information technology (IT), data, and software development that emphasize technical skills and that you can learn on your own time. We also include US salary and job growth information, as determined by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
1. IT support specialist
Median salary: $59,660
Job growth outlook: 5% (faster than average)
An IT support specialist maintains computer systems and troubleshoots user issues. An IT support specialist needs technical knowledge, as well as strong people skills, as they’ll be the ones people turn to for help resolving computer problems.
There’s no standard education requirement to become an IT support specialist. However, you will typically need to demonstrate competency in dealing with computer systems. You can do this through formal education or entry-level IT certification. According to Zippia, 51 percent of people with this job title hold a bachelor’s degree, and 33 percent have an associate degree, often in computer science, computer information systems, or business [1].
professional certificate
Google IT Support
Get on the fast track to a career in IT. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Network Security, Wireless Security, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Backup, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Directory Service, Critical Thinking, Network Model, Ipv4, Computer Architecture, Domain Name System (DNS), Troubleshooting, Problem Solving, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Networking, Cloud Computing, Network Architecture, Linux, Binary Code, Communication, Customer Support, Command-Line Interface, Linux File Systems, Powershell
2. IT project manager
Median salary: $95,370
Job growth outlook: 6% (faster than average)
An IT project manager plans and executes an organization’s IT projects, such as introducing new software or developing new internal IT processes. They may manage budgets, maintain project schedules, and lead risk management and mitigation efforts.
To become an IT project manager, it can help to have knowledge of IT processes to effectively work with IT managers and communicate with outside vendors and company leadership. In some cases, you can boost your credentials with a project management certification. Among IT project managers, 68 percent have a bachelor’s degree, 18 percent have a master’s degree, and 10 percent have an associate degree, according to Zippia [2].
professional certificate
Google Project Management:
Get on the fast track to a career in project management. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Risk Management, Project Management, Supply Chain and Logistics, Business Communication, Leadership and Management, Entrepreneurship, Change Management, Organizational Development, Planning, Collaboration, Strategy and Operations, Software Engineering, Influencing, Communication, Budget Management, Finance, Strategic Thinking, Organizational Culture, Career Development, Quality Management, Project Execution, Scrum, Agile Management, Coaching, Problem Solving, Stakeholder Management, Effective Communication, Project Charter, Business Writing, Task Estimation, Procurement, Project Planning
3. Cybersecurity analyst
Median salary: $112,000
Job growth outlook: 32% (much faster than average)
Cybersecurity analysts, and closely related information security analysts, keep computer systems safe from external threats such as cyberattacks and data breaches. They often work in industries where sensitive and classified information is key to operations, such as government, business, finance, or technology.
Many information security analysts have a bachelor’s degree—62 percent, according to Zippia—while 20 percent have an associate degree [3]. Additionally, there are plenty of cybersecurity career paths to advance toward, such as security engineering, incident response, or ethical hacking. Depending on your chosen path, you may eventually want to bolster your credentials with a certification.
professional certificate
Google Cybersecurity
Get on the fast track to a career in cybersecurity. In this certificate program, you'll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Hardening, Bash (Scripting Language), Network Security, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, Operating Systems, Vulnerability Management, Stakeholder Communications, Computer Security Incident Management, Cybersecurity, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), Network Protocols, Incident Response, SQL, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, Threat Modeling, Security Controls, Vulnerability Assessments, Linux, Debugging, Python Programming, Packet Analyzer, Cloud Networks, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Cloud Computing, Network Architecture, Security Hardening, resume and portfolio preparation, escalation, Job preparedness, stakeholder communication, integrity and discretion, NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF), Information Security (INFOSEC), Historical Attacks, Ethics in cybersecurity, PEP 8 style guide, Coding, Computer Programming, Incident Response Playbooks, Security Audits, NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF), threat analysis, Cryptography, vulnerability assessment, asset classification, Authentication, Command line interface (CLI), Bash
4. Data analyst
Median salary: $85,780
Job growth outlook: 23% (much faster than average)
A data analyst uses data to answer questions and solve problems. Data analysis tends to have broad applications across many fields. For example, market research analysts may examine consumer behavior, while business data analysts may work to improve a company’s supply chain.
According to Zippia, 65 percent of data analysts have a bachelor’s degree, while 12 percent have an associate degree and 15 percent have a master’s degree [4]. However, becoming a data analyst without a degree is possible if you have foundational knowledge and technical skills like Python and SQL. Building a data analytics portfolio can be one way to demonstrate your skills early in your career.
professional certificate
Google Data Analytics
Get on the fast track to a career in Data Analytics. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Spreadsheet Software, Data Management, Data Analysis, Business Communication, General Statistics, Business Analysis, Data Visualization, SQL, Data Cleansing, Developing a portfolio, Creating case studies, Metadata, Data Ethics, Spreadsheet, Data Collection, Data Calculations, Data Aggregation, Rstudio, R Markdown, R Programming, Presentation, Tableau Software, Sample Size Determination, Data Integrity, Decision-Making, Questioning, Problem Solving
5. Data scientist
Median salary: $103,500
Job growth outlook: 35% (much faster than average)
Whereas data analysts use data to find answers, data scientists determine the questions worth asking and figure out how to answer those questions using data. Data scientists typically need more extensive technical knowledge to build predictive models and develop data systems.
Data science is typically seen as a more advanced position, with many data scientists coming into the role after some experience working with data or studying computer science. According to Zippia, 51 percent of data scientists have a bachelor’s degree, while 34 percent have a master’s degree [5]. However, like many technical roles, getting a job as a data scientist is possible if you can demonstrate your skills through other certifications and a solid portfolio.
professional certificate
IBM Data Science
Prepare for a career as a data scientist. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM. No prior experience required.
4.6
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Data Science, Generative AI, Predictive Modelling, Data Analysis, Model Selection, Data Visualization, Python Programming, Pandas, Numpy, Dashboards and Charts, Matplotlib, dash, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), Cloud Databases, Jupyter notebooks, SQL, regression, Clustering, SciPy and scikit-learn, classification, Machine Learning, CRISP-DM, Data Mining, Methodology, K-Means Clustering, Github, Jupyter Notebook, Data Science Methodology, Rstudio, Deep Learning, Big Data, Quering Databases, Data Generation, Interviewing Skills, Resume Building, Career Development, Job Preparation
6. Data engineer
Median salary: $112,120
Job growth outlook: 8% (faster than average)
Data engineers build systems that collect and store the information that data scientists and data analysts use. Their work is closely related to that of a data architect, who designs the frameworks that data engineers bring to life. Data engineers also leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate different data related tasks.
Since a data engineer’s role is highly technical, many people in this profession pursue a formal computer science or electrical engineering education. According to Zippia, 65 percent of data engineers have a bachelor’s degree, 22 percent have a master’s degree, and 7 percent have an associate degree [6]. Many people also build data engineering skills through certifications and other similar programs.
professional certificate
IBM Data Engineering
Prepare for a career as a Data Engineer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM. No prior experience required.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Generative AI, Database Security, Database Servers, Database (DBMS), Relational Database, database administration, Star Schemas, Data Lakes, Snowflake Schemas, Cubes, Data Warehousing, Data Marts, Rollups, Cassandra, Cloud Database, Cloudant, Mongodb, NoSQL, Machine Learning Pipelines, Data Engineer, Apache Spark, SparkML, Machine Learning, SparkSQL, Apache Hadoop, Big Data, Data Generation, Querying Databases, Convolutional Neural Networks, Information Engineering, Apache Kafka, Extract Transform and Load (ETL), Data Pipelines, Apache Airflow, Pandas, Data Analysis, Data Science, Numpy, Python Programming, Google Looker Studio, IBM Cognos Analytics, Data Visualization, Dashboards, Business Intelligence, Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), Postgresql, Database (DB) Design, MySQL, Database Architecture, Shell Script, Linux, Linux Commands, Bash (Unix Shell), Leadership and Management, Databases, Data Management, Relational Databases, Data Visualization Software, SQL, Web Scraping, Network Security, Cloud Databases, Jupyter notebooks
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Algorithms, Github, Data Analysis, Computer Programming, Mathematics, Human Learning, Regression Analysis, Probability & Statistics, Problem Solving, Machine Learning, Interactive Design, Computer Graphics, Regression, Probability Distribution, General Statistics, Web Development, Applied Machine Learning, Data Visualization, Machine Learning Algorithms, Statistical Programming, R Programming, Generalized Linear Model, Linear Regression, Model Selection, Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms, Random Forest, Statistical Inference, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Statistics, Web Application, Interactivity, Plotly, Natural Language Processing, Data Science
7. UX designer
Median salary: $83,240
Job growth outlook: 16% (much faster than average)
A user experience (UX) designer aims to make products easy and enjoyable to use. They typically do this by applying creative thinking and problem-solving skills to various stages of research, testing, and analysis. UX designers often work with a digital product—such as a website or an app—though UX designers may also work with physical products or services.
A majority of UX designers have a bachelor’s degree—71 percent, according to Zippia [7]—although not all companies require entry-level UX designers to have a degree if they demonstrate the necessary skills. Earning a UX credential and building a portfolio may be enough to land your first UX role.
professional certificate
Google UX Design
Get on the fast track to a career in UX design. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
User Experience, Wireframe, User Experience Design (UXD), Prototype, UX Research, User Experience (UX), Figma, mockup, Usability Testing, UX design jobs
8. Web developer
Median salary: $78,580
Job growth outlook: 16% (much faster than average)
Web developers build and maintain websites. They may focus on front-end development (the way a website appears to a visitor), back-end development (the website’s internal structure and code), or full-stack development (both front-end and back-end).
According to Zippia, 71 percent of web developers have a bachelor’s degree, 14 percent have a master’s degree, and 11 percent have an associate degree [8]. However, with web development, attaining a specific education level may not be as important as demonstrating proficiency in key technical skills. Web development can also be a lucrative side hustle or freelance career.
professional certificate
Meta Front-End Developer
Launch your career as a front-end developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career and earn a credential from Meta. No degree or prior experience required to get started.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 7 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Algorithms, GitHub, Version Control, Git (Version Control System), Jest (JavaScript Testing Framework), React, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), JavaScript, Web Development Tools, Usability Testing, React.js, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Data Structures, HTML, Responsive Web Design, UI/UX design, Github, Linux, Web Development, Bash (Unix Shell), Front-End Web Development, HTML and CSS, User Interface, React (Web Framework), Web Application, Application development, Accessibility, User Experience, Web Design, User Experience (UX), Computer Science, Pseudocode, Data Structure, Communication, Computer Programming, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Test-Driven Development, Unit Testing, Debugging
professional certificate
Meta Back-End Developer
Launch your career as a back-end developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career and earn a credential from Meta. No degree or prior experience required to get started.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 8 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
React.js, Back-End Web Development, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), User Interface (UI), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Development, Front-End Web Development, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), JavaScript Frameworks, Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Design and Development, Full-Stack Web Development, Databases, Server Side, Software Testing, Version Control, Unit Testing, Git (Version Control System), Web Applications, API endpoints, Application Development, Authentications, Django (Web Framework), Database Management, User Accounts, API Design, Restful API, MySQL, Scalability, JavaScript, Production environments, Virtual Environment, Cloud Hosting, HTML, Application Programming Interface (API), Cloud Computing, Command-Line Interface, Github, Software Development, File Management, Software Versioning, Software Configuration Management, Linux Commands, Bash (Unix Shell), Unix Commands, Linux, Software Development Tools, Computational Thinking, Algorithms, Computer Science, Computational Logic, Pseudocode, Data Structure, Programming Principles, Data Structures, Technical Communication, Software Visualization, Problem Management, Communication, Extensible Markup Language (XML), Filtering and ordering, Performance Tuning, Data Validation, Authorization (Computing), Authentication and authorization, JSON, Debugging, REST APIs, Serializers and deserializers, Software Documentation, Test Tools, Web Servers, Application Frameworks, Design a web application, Database Development, Data Modeling, Application Security, Object-Relational Mapping, Build a data model, Development Environment, Computer Programming, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Integrated Development Environments, Application Programming Interfaces (API), Test Driven Development (TDD), Python Programming, Database Design, Query Languages, Database (DBMS), Data Integrity, Database Management Systems, Relational Databases, database administration, NoSQL, SQL
9. Application developer
Median salary: $124,200
Job growth outlook: 25% (much faster than average)
Application developers build the software that businesses and people use, either within computer systems or for mobile. They are technically skilled in programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and Python and may have further specializations in cloud, Android, or iOS development. In some cases, they make use of AI and machine learning tools to create intelligent software applications.
Zippia estimates that 71 percent of app developers have a bachelor’s degree, 18 percent have a master’s degree, and 7 percent have an associate degree [9]. Since app development is an evolving field, people may pursue further education opportunities over the course of their careers through formal degrees, bootcamps, or certifications.
professional certificate
IBM Full Stack Software Developer
Prepare for a career as a full stack developer. Build job-ready skills – and must-have AI skills – for an in-demand career. Earn a credential from IBM.
4.6
Beginner level
Average time: 5 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Generative AI, Django (Web Framework), Back-End Applications, Object Relational Mapping (ORM), Relational Database (RDBMS), SQL, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web, Web Development, JavaScript, Kubernetes, Openshift, Containers, Cloud Native, Docker, Node.Js, Web Application, Full Stack Development, Devops, Iaas PaaS Saas, Cloud Computing, Hybrid Multicloud, Pandas, Data Analysis, Data Science, Numpy, Python Programming, Coding Challenge, Career, interview Preparation, Full Stack Developer, Software Engineer, Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS), Cloning and forking, open source, Github, Git (Software), Software Architecture, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Agile and Scrum, Software Engineering, Communication, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), React (Web Framework), Front-end Development, User Interface, Computer Science, Server-side JavaScript, express, back-end development, Software Testing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Flask, Application development, Cloud Applications, serverless, Representational State Transfer (REST), Microservices, Code generation, Software Development, AI prompts
10. DevOps engineer
Median salary: $109,020
Job growth outlook: 25% (much faster than average)
DevOps stands for “development operations.” A DevOps engineer coordinates the development and maintenance of a company’s software. They work across teams to manage software development, quality assurance, security, and updates.
DevOps engineers generally need strong coding and programming skills, project management skills, and knowledge of how to deploy AI and machine learning applications. Building skills in these areas can be a good starting point. Many people—75 percent, according to Zippia—grow their skills through a bachelor’s degree program in computer science, engineering, or information technology. Another 20 percent of DevOps engineers have a master’s degree, while 2 percent have an associate degree [10].
Read more: What Is AIOps? Definition, Examples, and Use Cases
professional certificate
IBM DevOps and Software Engineering
Launch your DevOps and Software Engineering Career. Master DevOps, Agile, Scrum, CI/CD and Cloud Native with hands-on job-ready skills.
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Software Engineering, Software Testing, Web Application, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Flask, Python Programming, Application development, Continuous Integration, Automation, Continuous Development, DevOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure As Code, Test-Driven Development, Test Case, Behavior-Driven Development, Automated Testing, Zenhub, Sprint Planning, Kanban, Scrum Methodology, Agile Software Development, Software Architecture, Computer Programming, Programming Principles, Agile and Scrum, Communication, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Kubernetes, Openshift, Containers, Cloud Native, Docker, Devops, TDD/BDD, agile, Tracing, logging, Telemetry, Monitoring, Observability, Cloud Applications, serverless, Representational State Transfer (REST), Microservices, security, Security Engineering, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Iaas PaaS Saas, Cloud Computing, Hybrid Multicloud, Pandas, Data Analysis, Data Science, Numpy, Distributed Version Control Systems (DVCS), Cloning and forking, open source, Github, Git (Software), Extract Transform and Load (ETL), Shell Script, Linux, Linux Commands, Bash (Unix Shell)
Start your technical career with Coursera
Learn more about technical careers in IT, data, and software development with Career Academy on Coursera. Practice critical skills on your own schedule with a professional certificate from industry leaders like Google, IBM, and Meta. With less than 10 hours of study per week, you can become job-ready in six to eight months—no prior knowledge or degree required. Register today for free to get started.
professional certificate
Google IT Support
Get on the fast track to a career in IT. In this certificate program, you’ll learn in-demand skills, and get AI training from Google experts. Learn at your own pace, no degree or experience required.
4.8
Beginner level
Average time: 6 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Network Security, Wireless Security, Cryptography, Cybersecurity, Backup, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), Directory Service, Critical Thinking, Network Model, Ipv4, Computer Architecture, Domain Name System (DNS), Troubleshooting, Problem Solving, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Networking, Cloud Computing, Network Architecture, Linux, Binary Code, Communication, Customer Support, Command-Line Interface, Linux File Systems, Powershell
To add AI and machine learning to your technical training and explore their roles in different industries, consider these offerings:
specialization
AI For Business
Learn the Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning. Develop a deployment strategy for incorporating AI, ML, and Big Data into your organization that will take advantage of cutting-edge technologies
4.7
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Algorithms, Data Analysis, Fraud Prevention, Human Learning, Probability & Statistics, Leadership and Management, Business Analysis, Human Resources, User Experience, Machine Learning, Analytics, Marketing, Deep Learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Management, People Analysis, Decision Making, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Applied Machine Learning, Big Data, Strategy, Machine Learning Algorithms, Finance
professional certificate
IBM Machine Learning
Prepare for a career in machine learning. Gain the in-demand skills and hands-on experience to get job-ready in less than 3 months.
4.6
Intermediate level
Average time: 3 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Ensemble Learning, Decision Tree, Exploratory Data Analysis, Supervised Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Regression Analysis, Ridge Regression, Feature Engineering, Linear Regression, Machine Learning (ML) Algorithms, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Machine Learning, Algorithms, Data Analysis, Human Learning, Regression, Probability & Statistics, Statistical Programming, Machine Learning Algorithms, K Means Clustering, Dimensionality Reduction, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Applied Machine Learning, Cluster Analysis, Unsupervised Learning, General Statistics, Python Programming, Artificial Neural Network, unsupervised machine learning, Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning, Network Model, keras, Reinforcement Learning, Classification Algorithms
Article sources
Zippia. “Computer Support Specialist Education Requirements, https://www.zippia.com/computer-support-specialist-jobs/education/.” Accessed October 23, 2023.
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