Carving Your Path in Tech: Finding the Right Niche for You

March 3, 2025 - Dasmariñas - To help students navigate their journey in tech, AWS Cloud Club - Philippine Christian University - Dasmariñas (PCU-D) hosted an event on March 3, 2025, titled AWScend Beyond Limits: Define Your Domain, Elevate Your Resume. With support from Tutorials Dojo, the event aimed to help attendees discover their ideal domain in tech while improving their resumes for future opportunities.

In today's fast-changing tech world, standing out isn't just about having technical skills; it's about finding your niche and building strong professional branding.

A niche is identifying the right place where you can excel and grow, be it in a community, industry, or career. However, having this isn’t just about expertise; it’s also about how you present yourself. That’s where branding comes in.

Your professional brand is how people see you—the skills, values, and impact you make. It sets you apart in a crowded field and makes opportunities come to you rather than you chasing them. By aligning your niche with a strong personal brand, you create a powerful presence that speaks for itself.

With so many fields to explore, breaking into the tech industry can feel overwhelming. While having a broad understanding of different areas is good, specializing in one field can give you an added advantage. Once you have found your nook, it allows you to broaden your knowledge scope, sharpen your skills, and pave the way for further opportunities.

Niche vs Specialization: What’s the Difference?

While niche and specialization are quite related, they are not the same. A niche is about locating where you can thrive in an industry, market, or role. It determines your uniqueness and the value you provide. Specialization, in contrast, is about building in-depth knowledge of an area within that niche so you can separate yourself even more.

Niche is positioning yourself in the right space, and specialization is sharpening your skills. Once you’ve identified both, you can leverage them to build a strong personal brand and maximize your impact in the tech industry, which will come in handy for landing a job. Specialization assures an employer that your skill set meets a specific set of specifications, hence making you a strong candidate.

If you feel confused by the endless possibilities in tech, consider what gets you going.

• What problems do you like to work on?
• What projects get your mind swirling?

Answering these questions will set you on the path toward finding the right niche.

Expert Insights from the Next Generation of Tech Leaders

Photo by: Kent Bermillo

One of the event's highlights was a panel discussion featuring student tech leaders who are not only driving innovation but also breaking new ground, gaining industry experience through internships, and making an early impact in the tech field.

• Christopher Bryan Evangelista – Subject Matter Expert at Department of Data Technologies, AWS Cloud Club - PUP
• Jan Rowell Rouello – President, Junior Blockchain Education Consortium of the Philippines - PUP; Community Coordinator, Hey Roomie
• Mark Achiles Flores Jr. – Captain & Executive Director, AWS Cloud Club PUP; Cloud Developer Intern, Tutorials Dojo
• Charles Condolon – Cloud Applications Specialist, Apper Cloud Labs; Former Captain, AWS Cloud Club - TIP Manila
• Kenneth Hular – Lead, AWS Learning Club - Spade
• Jerome Yang – DevOps Engineer Apprentice; University Captain, AWS Cloud Club Mapúa;
• Luis Maverick Gabriel – AI Developer Intern, S.P. Madrid

During their discussion, these leaders shared their experiences in various technology fields with practical pointers on how to find the way forward. They also described how their challenges in carving a niche were valuable in developing strategies to forge ahead.

If you're uncertain where to begin, consider using this guide to start to find your path toward specialization.

1. Research the Different Specializations

If you don't know what's out there, you won't be able to find your niche! The tech field is broad and offers innumerable domains for exploration. Understanding what each specialization offers can help you identify where your interests align. Some of the key areas in tech discussed by the panelists are:

• Data Technology – Managing and processing data from human and machine sources.
• Data Science – Using statistics, mathematics, and programming to analyze data and solve complex problems.
• Cloud Computing – Delivering computing services such as storage and networking over the internet.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Systems that have made it possible to replicate a human form of intelligence through machine learning and deep learning.
• Blockchain – A decentralized digital ledger used to record transactions securely.
• Software Engineering – Designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications.
• DevOps – The combination of software development and IT operations to streamline processes and improve deployment efficiency.
• Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) – Using software engineering principles to enhance system reliability and scalability.
• Cybersecurity – Protecting networks, systems, and data from cyber threats and attacks.
• UI/UX Design – Designing user-friendly and visually appealing interfaces that enhance the overall experience.

There are many specializations you might be interested in. So best to keep an open mind and see what interests you.

2. Explore Different Fields

Every specialization in tech has a community that supports and uplifts one another. The best way to discover your niche is to immerse yourself in different fields. But how do you do that?

Simple, step outside and get involved! So many free tech events, meetups, and workshops are happening every week. These events will help you:

• Gain insights from industry experts.
• Connect with like-minded individuals.
• Discover how different tech fields apply in real-life
• Open doors to mentorship and opportunities

Whether it is a hackathon, conference, or networking event, you should take this as an opportunity to broaden your understanding of the industry.

Looking for a starting point to discover event announcements?

• AWS Cloud Clubs Philippines – Perfect for students interested in cloud computing.
• The BLOKC - Great for those passionate about blockchain and Web3.
• AWS User Group Philippines – Ideal for professionals seeking industry insights and networking opportunities.
• You can also explore articles here featuring various tech events!

3. Find What Interests You the Most

As you explore, you’ll naturally gravitate toward certain topics. Pay attention to what excites you. Are you fascinated by cybersecurity and ethical hacking? Do you enjoy designing interfaces or working on Web3 projects?

Take the time to experiment with hands-on projects in different areas:

• If you are curious about cybersecurity, engage in some ethical hacking challenges on TryHackMe or Hack The Box.
• Want to dive into Cloud Computing? Play around with AWS Free Tier, and try deploying small projects.
• Do you like building? This may be where Software Engineering comes in! Consider contributing to some open-source projects on GitHub.
• Becoming an AI and Machine Learning enthusiast? Try experimenting with TensorFlow or Scikit-learn to create some AI models of your own. Go for some Kaggle competitions to test out your skills.
• Are you interested in designing user-friendly interfaces? Learn UI/UX points and work with Figma or Adobe XD to create user-friendly designs.

Through real-world application of what you learn, you will obtain skills and a clearer view of your strengths.

4. Seek Mentorship and Join Communities

You don’t have to figure everything out on your own! Having the right people around you can provide clarity and motivation.

• Follow industry professionals and tech influencers within your chosen domain.
• Participate in online communities on Discord, LinkedIn, and Reddit to share knowledge.
• Attend hackathons, workshops, and tech meetups for networking and exposure.

Here are more communities you might be interested in joining aside from those mentioned earlier:

• Java User Group Philippines – A community for Java enthusiasts from beginner to expert levels to share knowledge and best practices.
• Data Engineering Pilipinas – A hub for data engineers and enthusiasts to discuss big data, ETL pipelines, and cloud-based solutions.
• K8SUG Philippines – A Kubernetes and OpenShift User Group perfect for anyone passionate about containerization and cloud-native technologies.

Joining a tech community is a great way to keep up-to-date with technology, meet like-minded individuals, and gain practical experience. Find a community that works for you, and get involved!

5. Keep Learning and Adapting

Technology changes very fast, so adapting to this change is a precondition to success in the long term. Invest time in keeping yourself updated with hands-on projects as well as online courses and certificates. Some of the excellent examples of platforms include:

• Coursera, Udemy, & Tutorials Dojo - Well-organized comprehensive courses on every topic in tech.
• Harvard CS50 & edX - Comprehensive computer science foundations.
• AWS Skill Builder – A free learning platform offering hands-on labs, training courses, and certification prep for AWS technologies.

And remember—staying ahead requires a willingness to experiment, commit mistakes, learn from them, and become better. It is often the process of making many mistakes that helps people break through to something new. You must try to accept it as part of the process of growth. It comes through trial and error, and it takes time. So, don’t rush yourself; embrace the process and step outside your comfort zone.

6. Build Your Network and Keep Learning

Many successful individuals in technology have the right people around them. These connections can open doors to opportunities you may not have known existed. So, ask yourself: Are you engaging with the right people? Are you actively seeking out mentors and communities that challenge and inspire you?

• Network with like-minded people - Surround yourself with those who push you to grow. Go to events, join conversations, and connect with people who share your passions.
• Be a Mentee - You do not need to know everything yourself. Learn from those ahead of you, ask questions, and absorb their insights.
• Keep Learning - The tech industry is always evolving, and growth comes from staying curious, exploring new ideas, and continuously learning. Keep trying! Each and every step you take, especially the missteps, will propel you forward.

Your journey is molded by the people you meet and the insight you gain. Step out of your comfort zone, establish meaningful connections, and grow. One day, you'll be the one mentoring and shaping others into their fullest potential.

Final Thoughts

While still mulling over your position in this technological world, you must try some things out. Sign up for online courses, engage in practical activities, and attend community events. Network with like-minded people, become a mentee and keep learning.

Finding your niche isn’t about rushing into a decision, it’s about exploring, learning, and aligning your career with what excites you. The more you expose yourself to different fields, the clearer your path will become.

Relax, take your time, be curious, and most importantly—enjoy the journey fully! 🚀

Curious about everything that happened during the event? Watch the livestream replay here!

Morning Session: https://www.youtube.com/live/Or0IC6tF2c0

Afternoon Session: https://www.youtube.com/live/JWgzsWhmHEY

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About the Author

Gaile C. Espinosa is a visionary women-in-tech leader transforming technological landscapes through her multifaceted roles in AWS Cloud communities while pursuing her Information Technology degree. As a Buildhers+ Ambassador and AWS Cloud Club student leader, she turns limitations into launching pads for emerging talents. Gaile doesn't just navigate technology—she redesigns its potential, empowering individuals to code their boldest dreams. Her mission: proving that innovation has no boundaries, only unbridled potential.