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PSA: You Don’t Need to Code to Work in Tech

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series of blog posts by LinkedIn’s rockstar summer interns.

Rewind to February of my freshman year in college. I’m sitting in front of my laptop, searching “best places to intern” in an effort to kick start my internship hunt. I see the same tech companies appear in every list across the web and proceed to read all about how great the engineering interns have it. At that moment, I started to wonder if I should’ve taken that introductory computer programming class in the fall. Did I miss my chance to work in tech?

Fast forward to today. I’ve just finished my internship with LinkedIn, and I still haven’t taken that computer programming class!  This marks my second time doing “non-tech” work at a tech company, after spending last summer in corporate marketing at Akamai Technologies and having just spent this summer in LinkedIn’s Global Sales Organization (GSO) program.

LinkedIn Intern Crew

College students who aren’t developers or programmers often make the mistake of overlooking technology companies in their job search, and I was no exception. To my fellow underclassmen, don’t fall into that trap. There are amazing opportunities at the tech companies you want to work for with positions in departments such as marketing, sales, and business development.

The technology industry is exciting, fast-paced, and innovative – the perfect place for an ambitious college student with an open mind. By working on the business side, you’ll have the chance to communicate your passion and excitement for some of the most sought-after products and services today.

Yes, some of the companies you want to apply to might only actively seek technical talent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t try.  Shoot their HR team an email, connect with a recruiter on LinkedIn, or walk up to their booth at your school's career fair – you never know who has an unlisted opening or might be willing to create a brand new role.

Non-coders out there, I guarantee there’s an opportunity waiting for you. Who knows, you might even get some free swag in the process.