What do you NEED to break into the tech industry? Do you need a degree? A certification? A bootcamp? What is the RIGHT answer? Okay, so if you don’t know by now, there is not ONE right answer! Why? Because in tech, the rules are… THERE ARE NO RULES!
You might be thinking “I should go back to school, right? Maybe check out the local community college? Spend a few thousand dollars to increase that hourly rate?…” !
I’ve fallen into this line of thinking in the past. I went from staying at home to getting my masters degree – in Learning, Design and Technology – so WHY would I direct you differently?
Here’s why…
I did it for the WRONG reasons! I was having a crisis of confidence and thought going back to school was the only way to regain the confidence I’d lost. Confidence is created when we learn and overcome challenges.
I HIGHLY recommend you attempt to enter tech another way because… THERE ARE NO RULES! Don’t believe me? Ask around and see how many people who work in tech have a degree in computer science – I was definitely in the minority with my degree – because most developers are self-taught.
No, I’m not saying don’t prepare yourself. The opposite, actually. Prepare yourself on YOUR terms. When you prepare in a way that is RIGHT for YOU, then you will find yourself at ease and working in a role that is just right for your personality, your interests, and your family.
Still feeling confused? Let’s start with step 1.
The first step is to SELECT the tech role that is right for you. If you’re immediately struck with panic and thinking, “I DON’T KNOW which role is right for me!” I get it. I totally get it.
So here is a little guide to help you get started on this exploratory journey. Consider this as a loop that you go around and around until you find the solution that is right for you AT THIS TIME.
What is right for you TODAY. Not 10 years from now… don’t think about that… just think about what is right for you TODAY.
Self-awareness of your current state and the state of your family is a strength. Be kind and don’t judge yourself. Many experiences lead you to where you want to go and doing it all at once is not only unnecessary – but potentially harmful.
Focus your energy and mindset on the next 3, 6, or 9 months. That’s enough for now.
Okay, so that loop. Here it is:
- What professional skills do I have?
- What personal skills have I gained?
- What experiences did I like?
- What experiences would l like to avoid?
- What needs to be different about my next role/company/schedule?
- How could my skills benefit the tech industry?
Build a Community
What if I don’t know how my skills could benefit the tech industry?
If you don’t have a skill that is needed for a role – THAT IS TOTALLY FINE! In fact, it is to be expected. Focus solely on the skills you need TO GET HIRED in that role. Next, create a plan to get there.
Find someone that you like who likes their job – ask them what they do and where they work. Don’t focus too much on the specific place of employment. Your goal is not to get a job with that company, but to evaluate your ideal work environment.
If they are not in tech (or tech-related field), ask them about someone in their tech department. Ask about someone they know in the tech field.
Talk to that person. Tell them about your skills. Ask them if they could use anyone with those skills at their place of work.
Keep asking questions, talking to people, and align your skills and desires to those roles that sound most interesting to you. Pretty soon you’ll have an amazing network of highly interesting and supportive people in your corner.
If you don’t have a skill that is needed for a role – THAT IS TOTALLY FINE! In fact, it is to be expected. Focus solely on the skills you need TO GET HIRED in that role. Next, create a plan to get there.
In tech, some of that will involve courses or learning. Most of that is FREE or LOW COST. You can spend a few hundred, instead of a few thousand dollars. Another low cost path would be to take a lesser role now to get closer to the job you eventually want.
Often times the moms I talk to (and I can TOTALLY relate because this was SO ME!) think they need to know everything BEFORE they get the job! Wrong! Focus on what you need to know to GET THE JOB.
Learning on the job is a prerequisite in most places of work in 2019. You will be expected to learn new skills and new software (and come up with new ideas). Honestly, if the company you are looking at does not have these expectations as prerequisites – it is probably not a place you want to work.
So look at your skills, identify a role that makes sense for YOU (past experience and gaps you are willing to learn) by talking to people in and around tech, and then carve out the path that works for YOU!
You’ve got this. It’s YOUR PATH.