What Can You Do With A Degree in Technology Management?

Technology is at the core of virtually all industries today — not only in terms of the products we use to perform our work but also in the software we use to manage teams and connect with our customers. As a result, there is a growing demand for professionals that are confident in handling the intersection of technology and management. This is what led to the development of technology management courses and qualifications.

A technology management degree is a way for professionals to learn both the relevant technologies and how to lead people to effectively and efficiently make the right decisions regarding the implementation or improvement of these tools and processes. It’s a multi-use type of qualification that can be applied across several industries and positions including but not limited to consulting, project management, product development, and digital transformation.

On the other hand, having a wide range of options for which industry or position to apply your technology management skills can also make the decision of which career path to follow a difficult one. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting and in-demand career options available for technology management graduates.

Digital Transformation Consultant

Digital transformation consultants must leverage their knowledge of both business operations and emerging technologies to assist organisations in their digital modernisation and transformation efforts. As these professionals are tasked with top level decision-making, they typically benefit from business qualifications and specific ICT postgraduate qualifications as well, like a Master in Technology Management. 

By leveraging technology, companies can speed up processes that were previously done manually and improve the quality of their work. However, digital transformation in driving growth isn’t as simple as purchasing a few tools and integrating them into existing workflows. Digital transformation consultants also need to consider factors like staff training, industry compliance, and evaluating the long-term sustainability of those tech investments to continue supporting teams in maintaining and improving quality. 

As experienced technology managers, digital transformation consultants are in the perfect position to advise businesses on how best to take advantage of high-tech solutions. For instance, digital transformation consultants may assist business leaders in designing a training program that equips employees with the technical skills they need to not only use new software, but also continue to improve business processes using these tools. 

Digital transformation consultants can also play a vital role in establishing ICT auditing processes, empowering professional teams in making sure their digital transformation investments continue to meet all regulatory and industry compliance requirements, and support their business goals.

IT or Systems Analyst

Analysing how organisations utilise their technology and recommending improvements is at the heart of an IT or systems analyst role. This professional pathway involves evaluating systems and processes to spot where inefficiencies may be occurring, as well as advising how they could be overcome using new software or other digital tools. 

A hands-on role with plenty of opportunity to see how technology meets business needs, working as an IT or systems analyst is also generally regarded as an attractive first step for ICT graduates – especially for those who studied technology management. The on-the-job insight into IT project needs, benefits and requirements can also provide an effective foundation for future roles in IT project management or systems consultancy.

Computer Science

As a technology management graduate, you have the option to find more managerial-style jobs than you would if you studied a purely technical degree. However, a technology management education also grants you the opportunity to go in the other direction and double down on the tech side of your education.

If you studied technology management for a master’s degree, it's likely that you have a technical background from your undergraduate days. Whether you studied computer science, IT, data analytics or another related degree, these skills make it easy to find jobs that require skills like coding and web design. 

When pursuing a career in computer science, for example, a background in tech management helps you stand out as it gives you a higher-level view of how your job sits within the business as a whole. This helps you prioritise tasks more effectively, and makes you a good candidate for a leadership position in which you'll be managing a team of developers. Whether you're looking to move into management or stay purely technical, a degree in technology management is extremely helpful.  

Project Coordinator

Project coordinators are another career option to consider if you’re interested in how the organisational and managerial aspects of technology work in practice. Project coordinators provide a level of support for project managers, taking care of scheduling and documentation as well as acting as a communication bridge between more technical and less technical staff. 

It’s a role that can help you develop your time management, collaboration and problem-solving skills, as well as giving you a first-hand look at how major tech projects come together. For many graduates, a role as a Project Coordinator is the first step towards working in project or product management, where having a background in technology management is a distinct benefit.

Product Management

Anyone who's worked in a tech company knows that there's often a big divide between the technical and business sides. This is often driven by a lack of understanding of the other side. As a product manager, you’ll be in charge of bridging this gap between the tech team and upper management. 

As a graduate of a technology management program, you’ll be fully equipped to handle the day-to-day tasks that come with being a product manager. Typically, these include communicating which features should be added to the product based on consumer data and managing the expectations of the leadership team based on what’s technically feasible. 

While a technology management education is perfect for a project manager role, it can also help to study additional courses in project management. These will equip you with skills like using data to inform product design decisions and communicating technical concepts to non-technical team members. Product management requires a specific set of skills, but studying technology management gives you the foundation you need to acquire these skills. 

Business or Data Analyst

Business or Data Analysts are well-placed to assist companies in making data-driven decisions and implement strategic planning. If you’re someone who enjoys working with numbers and planning for the future, this is the career for you. 

Analysts in this field collect, organise and interpret data to help organisations make informed decisions. With data-driven businesses on the rise, this role can provide you with a good foundation for both business operations and the technology that is needed for them. 

Your degree in technology management has equipped you with the necessary analytical skills and technical literacy to turn data insights into recommendations for future projects or strategic planning.

Entrepreneurship

Lastly, a degree in technology management also allows you to start your own business, especially if this business is in the tech industry. Because you have a technical background, you’ll be able to communicate with developers and graphic designers effortlessly. On the other hand, your management background also helps you connect with investors, non-technical co-founders and potential clients. 

Going it on your own as an entrepreneur is both risky and rewarding. Because of the stakes that go with running a business, it’s highly recommended that you gain experience working somewhere else before taking the plunge. Once you start your entrepreneurial journey, you’ll need everything you’ve learned both in your technology management degree and from your past work roles to make your business a success. 

Charting Your Career with Confidence

Studying technology management opens plenty of doors for you when it comes to your career. This can be both a blessing and a curse. While choice is obviously a good thing, the sheer number of possibilities can also feel paralysing at times. 

Explore your skills and interests, then carefully make a decision about what you want to do with your degree in technology management.