12 ideal careers for gadget nerds

As a gadget nerd, a certain desire eats away at your heart. It's not necessarily that you need to have the latest and greatest device(s) on the market. Instead, a gadget lover's desire is more about having truly new and fresh experiences.

It's why we modify and alter our smartphones, and outfit them with custom firmware. It's why we find new ways to use our tech, other than what it was intended for. It's why we love our gadgets so much.

Believe it or not, your love of gadgets could land you a pretty sweet job. Sure, it may take a little schooling, but if you apply the same focus and dedication in your future career as you do with your gadgets, you'll be just fine.

To help you out, I've put together a list that includes 12 ideal careers for gadget nerds. Check them out:

1. For the Ultimate Gadget Lover: Tech Reviewer

If you love gadgets and want to tell others all about them, the best career for you lies in technology journalism. You'll need to hone your writing skills if you want to get anywhere, and some of the most renowned gadget publications require experience over credentials.

It will definitely help if you have a degree, but it's not necessary. That said, you most certainly need a firm grasp of the language you wish to write in and you also need a good understanding of common grammar.

2. For the Specs Geek: Electronics Engineer

If you're obsessed with the hardware packed inside your gadgets, you might be suited to a career in electronics engineering. This requires a degree, so you'll need to go back to school if you're interested.

Some of the positions you can land with the right credentials and experience include being a broadcast engineer, electrical engineer, IT consultant, network engineer, systems analyst and even aeronautical engineer.

3. For the Gamer at Heart: Game Designer

If you absolutely love and adore video games, you would fit right in with the countless others in the $7.4 billion software entertainment industry. It's a good idea to get degree in the subject.

There are many fields where you can work including military, health care, television and education. All of these fields require game development for certain jobs within them. You could also become an independent developer and create your own dream game from scratch.

4. For the App Lover: Software Engineering

If you love tinkering with the latest apps or modifying existing software applications, then consider a career in the software engineering field. For most jobs in this career you'll need a degree in computer science. Along the way you'll learn things like simulation and modeling, artificial intelligence, user-interface optimization and more.

There are tons of jobs out there, most of which will have you developing applications and software for a wide variety of fields.

5. For the Programming Geek: Information Technology

The IT field is incredibly vast, and includes jobs from information security and service maintenance all the way to programming and development. You'll need to get some IT training first, but you don't necessarily need a four-year degree to be an IT professional. Some jobs will even fund the required training or pay for the appropriate certifications provided you have the experience to do the job.

6. For the Ultimate Hype Guru: Marketing and Sales

Do you often find yourself dishing out a lot of hype for upcoming products, games or gadgets? A career in marketing and sales would be ideal for you. The field is also expansive and includes market research, customer sales, marketing campaign management and more. A degree is a good place to start, but experience will get you far in this career field.

7. For the Gadget and Computer Fixer: Support Specialist

Computer support specialists provide advice to both people and organizations as it pertains to computer equipment and software. This field also includes help-desk technicians and IT resource professionals who help others with various electronics and gadgets. You do not necessarily need a degree, but you may need to get certified for the related field you wish to work in.

8. For the History Geek: Archivist or Curator

If you love history, a career as an archivist, appraiser or curator might be ideal for you. You'll be working directly with historical documents and goods, and your jobs will range from appraising, to maintaining, to documenting them in full. You will need a degree in order to get your foot in the door, however.

9. For the Crime Geek: Forensic Science Technician

Forensic science technicians help investigate and solve crimes by collecting or analyzing evidence from various gadgets, electronics and more. Most technicians will either work in a laboratory or at the crime scene. You will need the proper certifications and degree in criminal justice.

10. For the Image Geek: Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create visual concepts and working products in many different fields including Web design, software development, gaming and more. You don't necessarily need a degree in visual and graphic design, but it will help.

11. For the Brain Geek: Psychologist

Are you fascinated by human behavior and mental health? Then your ideal career lies in the field of psychology. Depending on what type of job you take on, you may be working with people directly or you may be conducting research. You will need a degree in psychology, most likely a master's.

12. For the Science Geek: Chemist or Materials Scientist

Chemists and materials scientists conduct research on the structures, compositions, reactions and properties of substances. Expertise is used to create and develop new products or processes.

You may help create a next-generation material used to advance our modern electronics, who knows? This field requires a degree, as well as experience which can often be gained by working as a researcher at your school.

What's your dream gadget job? Tell me in the comments section below.

Image by Viktor Hanacek, qiye and Viktor Hanacek