I've spent this entire summer trying to figure out what the bare minimum is for getting into tech in 2025. The landscape has changed dramatically from just a few years ago. Pre-2019, you could get into big tech with basic coding skills and determination. Today, the question has shifted from "Do you know how to code?" to "Do you know how to code with AI?" This fundamental change has created a new baseline that everyone entering tech needs to understand.
The New Bare Minimum: Coding with AI
The Fundamental Shift: You must know how to code with AI, period. No exceptions. This is the number one thing that people going into tech need to figure out. AI hasn't been fully integrated into our infrastructure yet, but over the next decades, it will become ubiquitous.
What "Coding with AI" Actually Means
Core AI Integration Skills:
- • AI-assisted project development
- • Workflow optimization in school and work
- • AI-powered meeting scheduling and networking
- • Prompt engineering for code generation
- • AI tool selection and integration
Why This Matters Now:
- • AI tools are becoming standard in development
- • Companies expect AI proficiency
- • Competitive advantage in job market
- • Future-proofing your career
- • Increased productivity and efficiency
The Infrastructure Gap
AI hasn't been fully implemented into our infrastructure yet, but it's happening rapidly. Getting good at using AI now means you'll be ahead of the curve when it becomes the standard.
Getting Started with AI Integration
Learning Phase
- • Start with ChatGPT for code explanations
- • Use GitHub Copilot for code completion
- • Experiment with AI-powered debugging
- • Practice prompt engineering
Workflow Integration
- • AI-assisted project planning
- • Automated code documentation
- • AI-powered testing strategies
- • Intelligent code review assistance
Networking & Communication
- • AI-powered meeting scheduling
- • Automated follow-up emails
- • Intelligent networking suggestions
- • AI-assisted presentation preparation
Key Insight: The bare minimum is no longer about coding proficiency alone—it's about coding proficiency combined with AI integration skills. This combination is your foundation for success in today's market.
Standing Out: The Three Key Differentiators
Beyond the Minimum: Having the bare minimum will give you a starting point, but there are three specific skillsets that will make you stand out in today's competitive market. These aren't just nice-to-haves—they're what separates good candidates from exceptional ones.
AI Engineering
What It Means:
- • Developing AI systems from scratch
- • Creating RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systems
- • Building AI systems in any domain
- • Understanding AI architecture and deployment
- • Custom AI model development
Why It Matters:
- • High demand in current market
- • Premium salary potential
- • Future-proof career path
- • Competitive advantage
- • Innovation leadership
Getting Started: Start with building simple RAG systems, experiment with different AI models, and work on projects that require custom AI solutions. The key is hands-on experience with AI system development.
System Design
What It Means:
- • Software architecture principles
- • Scalable system design
- • Distributed systems understanding
- • Performance optimization
- • Infrastructure planning
The AI Advantage:
- • AI makes system design easier to learn
- • Previously required years of experience
- • Now accessible to motivated learners
- • Highly attractive to recruiters
- • Essential for senior roles
Key Insight: AI has democratized system design knowledge. What used to require years of experience can now be learned more efficiently, making this skill more accessible than ever while remaining highly valuable.
Cybersecurity Skills
What It Means:
- • Security best practices in development
- • Secure coding principles
- • Application security awareness
- • Threat modeling
- • Security testing and validation
Why It's Overlooked:
- • Most developers avoid security
- • Seen as cybersecurity team's job
- • Perceived as complex and difficult
- • Not prioritized in learning
- • Creates competitive advantage
Real Impact: Having cybersecurity skills makes you a more valuable developer. You can build applications faster and more securely, and you make the cybersecurity team's job easier. This combination is rare and highly sought after.
Strategic Advantage: These three skills combined create a powerful differentiator. While most candidates focus on basic coding skills, you'll be building AI systems, designing scalable architectures, and implementing security best practices.
There's No Right Path—Just Start and Keep Going
My Personal Journey: When I was interested in getting into tech back in high school, I originally wanted to get into tech for the money. But then I fell in love with the process of solving problems using software and creating positive impact on businesses.
The Motivation Shift
Initial Motivation (Money):
- • Focused on salary and benefits
- • Chased trendy technologies
- • Superficial learning approach
- • Limited long-term vision
- • Easily discouraged by setbacks
Evolved Motivation (Impact):
- • Focused on problem-solving
- • Deep learning and understanding
- • Long-term skill development
- • Positive business impact
- • Resilience through challenges
Key Learning: I realized that a lot of people going into and already in tech were the same way. The most successful developers I've met are driven by curiosity and impact, not just financial gain.
The Reality Check
Common Misconceptions
- • "I just need a degree and good grades"
- • "I have the drive, that's enough"
- • "I'll learn everything on the job"
- • "The market will always need developers"
The Harsh Reality
- • Degrees alone are no longer sufficient
- • Drive without direction leads nowhere
- • Companies expect immediate value
- • The market is increasingly competitive
- • AI is changing what "good enough" means
Sad Truth: I sadly hear about many stories of people who are being delusional about thinking all they have to do is get a degree, good grades, and have the drive to get into tech. That is far below the bare minimum in today's market.
The Path Forward
What Works
- • Start with AI integration skills
- • Build projects that solve real problems
- • Focus on one of the three differentiators
- • Continuous learning and adaptation
- • Networking and community involvement
The Mindset Shift
- • Embrace continuous learning
- • Focus on impact over income
- • Build for the future, not just today
- • Develop resilience and adaptability
- • Stay curious and open to new technologies
Final Thought: There's no perfect roadmap to success in tech. The key is to start with the new bare minimum (AI + coding), develop your differentiators, and keep moving forward. The journey is more important than the destination.
The New Reality
The tech industry has fundamentally changed. The bare minimum is no longer about basic coding skills—it's about coding with AI. But that's just the starting point. To truly excel, you need to develop skills that make you stand out: AI engineering, system design, and cybersecurity awareness.
Most importantly, there's no single right path. You have to start somewhere and keep going. Focus on solving real problems, creating positive impact, and continuously learning. The market is competitive, but it's also full of opportunities for those who are willing to adapt and grow.
Your Action Plan
Ready to Define Your Path in Tech?
The tech industry is evolving rapidly, and the bare minimum has changed. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to stay ahead of the curve, understanding these new requirements is crucial for your success.
Let's Discuss Your Tech Journey