Career family
Technology, Software & Data
Building software and digital products, keeping systems secure and running, and turning data into decisions.
- Mainly Investigating & Solving
- Also Making & Fixing
- Also Organising & Managing Detail
What the work involves
A closer look.
Most work happens at a computer, solving problems step by step and learning new tools constantly. Teams often work remotely or across companies. Many people enter through self-study and portfolios, not only through degrees.
Typical roles
- Software developer
- Data analyst
- UI/UX designer
- IT support technician
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Product manager
- Quality assurance tester
- Network administrator
Entry routes in Nigeria
- Any SSCE stream; Maths and English help
- Degrees in computer science, software engineering, information systems, statistics or related fields
- Short courses, bootcamps and online certificates, backed by a portfolio of real projects
- Industry certifications for some roles (for example networking, cloud or security)
Requirements change. Always verify with the official body, JAMB or the institution.
Skills that matter
- Logical problem-solving
- Learning new tools on your own
- Clear written communication
- Attention to detail when testing
- Working with others on shared code or data
By life stage
Where you could start.
Secondary school
Often-linked SSCE stream: Any (Science helps). Check with your school.
Undergraduate
Computer science, software engineering, information technology, statistics, mathematics. Internships: tech companies, banks and telecoms IT teams, startups.
Fresh graduate
Junior developer, data or reporting analyst, IT support, QA tester, technical support, graduate trainee in IT.
Young professional
People commonly move in from engineering, maths, accounting, design, customer support and teaching, usually after building a portfolio.
Vocational routes, entrepreneurship, public service and further study are all valid paths. We don’t show salaries or employment rates without a dated, verified source.
Ask a practitioner
Questions to ask.
Use these in a 15–20 minute conversation with someone who works in this family.
- What does a normal week look like for you?
- What do you enjoy most about the work, and what is hardest?
- How did you get into this field? Were there other routes you could have taken?
- Which subjects, courses or qualifications really matter, and which matter less than people think?
- What skills do you use every day that school didn’t teach you?
- What do people misunderstand about your job?
- If you were starting today, what would you do first?
- Who else should I talk to?
Test it
Ways to check if it suits you
Informational conversation
Talk to one person who does the work, using the questions on this page.
Job description review
Read three real adverts for roles in this family and list the requirements that keep coming up.
Small project
Try a small piece of the work yourself, then reflect on whether you enjoyed it.
Short course
Take a free or low-cost introductory course to test your interest before committing.
Job shadow or workplace visit
Spend a few hours watching the work happen. CPI arranges visits for participants.
Mentor conversation
Discuss what you have found with a mentor or coach.
Official qualification research
Check requirements with the professional body, JAMB, the institution or the employer directly.
Related
You might also explore.
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ExploreScience & Research
Asking questions about the natural world and testing answers carefully, in labs, the field, universities, industry and government.
ExploreBusiness, Finance & Accounting
Keeping organisations’ money, people and operations in order: accounting, banking, finance, HR and management.
ExploreWant to know if this fits you?
Take the self-assessment, then use your roadmap to test this direction.