Interested in making a career switch into tech? Looking into working in the lucrative tech industry but don’t know where to start? Here are 7 tips to help make your transition easier!

7 Tips for Career professionals transitioning Into Tech

Are you looking for a career change? Are you interested in working in the tech industry but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many career professionals are making the switch to tech and with good reason! The tech industry is booming and offers many opportunities for growth and advancement. Here, we’ll discuss 7 tips that will help make the transition into tech easier for you. Let’s get started!

1. Conduct a research – learn about the tech industry and the companies that are hiring

There are many great resources that can help you get a better understanding of what tech companies are looking for and the salary ranges for these positions. Some of them are tech job boards such as LinkedIn and Glassdoor and tech industry publications such as Tech Cabal, Tech Point Africa among others.

2. Join tech communities and online forums

This is a great way to start building your tech knowledge and network with other tech professionals. Look for online communities where you can share ideas and learn about available opportunities with like-minded individuals. Twitter is a great place to start!

3. Attend meetups and networking events

These are great ways to meet people in the tech industry and learn more about what it’s like to work in tech. One of the best ways to get ahead in tech is to connect with other tech professionals who can offer career guidance and support. Do not be afraid to reach out for help or advice from those who have already made the switch into tech.

Look for tech mentors or career coaches – having someone who can provide guidance and support throughout your tech transition is invaluable. Finding a professional mentor or a coach with experience in tech can help you navigate the vast tech landscape and support you as you make the switch. 

4. Enroll for tech-related courses and trainings

Tech skills are highly valued in the tech industry, it is important to start learning how to code if you want to make a career change into tech. There are many great online and in-person coding classes and boot camps available that can help you get started.

Investing in tech training or education can be a great way to gain the skills you need to succeed in the industry. Some great resources include online learning platforms like Udemy and Coursera, or coding boot camps like Moringa.

Look for tech classes or online programs such as Front-end Web Development courses from institutions like Moringa that are specialized in training career professionals seeking to transition into tech.

5. Embrace and learn soft skills

Employers are not only looking for a technical resource but also an all rounded individual.While technical skills such as coding are important, they are not all it takes when it comes to making a career switch into tech. In addition to these skills, it’s also important to focus on developing your soft skills like time management, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, teamwork and problem-solving. 

6. Polish up your resume and portfolio

Start building your portfolio – having a strong portfolio of tech projects is essential when trying to get your foot in the door at tech companies. Tech companies place a high value on strong tech skills and an impressive portfolio. You can start building a personal portfolio on platforms such as Github. Make sure to highlight these in your resume too. So start exploring tech tools and platforms, and start creating!

7. Don’t be afraid to start from scratch

Many people in tech careers started out as interns or junior developers and worked their way up to more senior positions. So, if you’re looking for a tech career change, don’t be discouraged – keep working hard on your technical skills  and learning new skills, and you’ll soon find yourself thriving in the tech industry.

Additionally, you can consider working part-time or as a freelancer while you make the switch – this gives you the flexibility to explore different opportunities, try out different roles, and figure out what type of tech career is right for you.

Start exploring tech resources & make use of the 7 tips. Kickstart your tech career today!

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