Switching Careers? How to Break into Tech

If you are thinking of a career switch, maybe it’s time to break into tech.

The technology industry is growing at an exponential rate. The growth is to the point where there are many job positions left unfilled. The industry has grown to reach every aspect of our lives. Many companies from other industries depend on this sector to keep themselves in the market. In the past, positions in tech required specialized experience which was difficult to obtain but things are much different today. Now, almost anyone with the right disposition to learn could get the skills needed to enter the tech industry. 

In some cases, a college degree is not even required. While there are some jobs that demand higher scientific knowledge and advanced degrees in niche topics such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, there are other career paths that are more accessible to larger groups of tech enthusiasts.

Today, more and more people are embarking on tech career paths. Work from home orders due to Covid-19 have changed how we think and work for good. Tech is now a bigger part of everyone’s lives.

With competitive salaries and various benefits, it is not difficult to see why. If you are thinking of switching careers and you have your eyes set on the tech industry, these are the steps you should take to make it happen.

Choose a Career Path

As mentioned before, there are many career paths you could take in the tech industry. From digital marketing to web development and data analytics, it is a matter of finding one that appeals more to you. Each of these paths has its own branches—for example, if you delve into web development, you can choose to be a front end, a back end or even a full stack developer.

Also, each career path requires different skill sets that you should first master in order to perform well at the job. Before choosing a path, it is recommended that you do extensive research. You might be able to identify existing skills that are transferable to the new field.

Do Your Research

After choosing a tech career you want to get into, you should research what the role entails. For example, if you decided on web development, you could go to aggregator sites, employment and review platforms or even YouTube to look at what other web developers are saying about their job. This is where you will learn about job details, growth opportunities, on-boarding experiences, and others.

Time To Break Into Tech?

Pick a Learning Method

If you want to break into tech, you will probably need to learn new skills like a programming language or how to use a particular software. Don’t worry because there are many ways for you to learn, with the most obvious choice being a college/university degree in computer science. However, it should be noted that it is also the most expensive option. 

There is another cost-effective way of going about this—coding bootcamps. There is a wide range of bootcamps in West Coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. The boot camps cover subjects such as data and full stack development. The best part about coding bootcamps is that they provide the necessary know-how in a fraction of the time needed to complete a traditional degree. Some even offer job placement assistance for its graduates.

You can also opt for self-learning with the many free resources available online if you wish to eliminate the cost factor. 

Tell Your Story

When looking for a new job, it is always important to have a great technical resume that tells your story. This is even more crucial when switching careers. In your resume, you should highlight transferable skills such as problem-solving, management, and teamwork. 

When going for an interview, always prepare good explanations that showcase your strengths and justify the reason for a change in career paths. Last but not least, you should also work on building a portfolio that demonstrates your proficiency in tech, especially if you don’t plan on getting a college degree. Remember, a great portfolio can be the key to your desired job.

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