While leaving a familiar field for something new might seem daunting, a tech career is attainable to anyone with a desire to get a job in IT. In fact, one of the best things about tech careers is that there is a great variety of paths you can choose from. Here are some steps to ensure your career launch into tech is successful.
Determine What You Want out of Your New Career
According to Indeed, 89% of people who changed careers into the tech industry did so in pursuit of more money. And although this might be your main motivation, tech is a vast field and there are other things you might want to take into consideration to make sure your career is fulfilling.
What are you passionate about? What are the growth opportunities in the field? Make sure you are doing proper research. You might want to read job descriptions, talk to people already in the field or attend webinars. Understanding what paths are available to you can help you navigate your first steps as you begin your career in IT.
Define your transferable skills
Transferable skills are exactly what they sound like — skills that can be used in different professional settings no matter the industry or job position. Often these are seen in the form of soft skills such as strong communication and leadership capabilities, but they can also be hard skills that work well in many settings, like data analysis.
There are a ton of tech jobs out there that can build on the skills you’ve developed in a past career. That means you don’t have to start at the bottom and may only need to add a few more skills or certifications to your repertoire to make a smooth transition into a new career.
No matter your focus area, IT jobs all rely on technical skills, from programming to data visualization. Identify the skills you’ll need to acquire and begin developing them now. Research and identify any applicable certification training course options. A certification is an investment in your professional skills and can expand your career in various ways. If you are completely unfamiliar with the technology or skillset in which want to get certified, you will have to start with entry-level certifications. If you are struggling with choosing certifications, this blog can help.
Network, Network, Network
Anyone within the professional world can attest to the importance of networking when it comes to career advancement. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 85 percent of jobs are secured through networking. Social media is a great way to start networking, especially if you don’t know anyone in the field yet. Joining groups relevant to your social or professional interests is another great way to connect with people of similar backgrounds or future interests, in turn expanding your network further.
Be Patient
Remember that changing careers takes time and practice. You also don’t want to overwhelm yourself by trying to take on too many new things at once. You can learn new skills in small doses over time. With the right amount of effort and persistence, switching careers into IT is possible.
Are you considering a career change? Let’s talk!
SkillStorm can help you accelerate your tech career. Our training programs and courses are designed to help you strengthen your skills and be prepared to thrive in the job market. If this sounds like something you are interested in, we would love to share with you more about how you can become a Stormer! Just shoot us an email at apply@skillstorm.com.