Taking that first step into tech can feel impossible, and which way to turn can be a mystery. The most important step toward figuring out what you really need to make a start in the industry, and getting the best advice and encouragement, is connecting with those who’ve done it!
Getting a support network can be easier said than done and takes time to build. So, as a springboard to set off from, we’ve compiled some insights on getting started in tech, from leaders across the industry.
Read on for inspiring advice on everything from preparing for a role to maintaining confidence in your ability.
Sarah Usher @ Ladies of Code
Be realistic about how much time you have to learn. Reskilling takes time and some roles take more time than others. Be open to how you might enter tech and plan to work and learn at the same time if stopping work for a few months is not financially feasible.
Customer Support, Analyst, and Project Management roles can be less technical but give you insight into products while you learn in your personal time; you may already have some of those skills from your previous career. Not everyone in tech writes code.
Find a mentor. Find multiple mentors. People who can tap into mentors actively accelerate their learning, are more confident and produce better quality work compared to people who don’t have mentors.
Viji Natarajan @ Finra & Women Who Code
Technology is fun! Just play with technology as a hobby and get curious, it takes off the pressure of going through the learning curve.
Sarah Griffis @ Good Rx
Be curious and prepared! Read management books, take courses, and find a mentor.
Nina Buffi @ OSPIN
Dare. Dare to speak your truth. Dare to found your own company. Dare to dream big. Dare to break conventions. Dare to challenge stereotypes. Dare to behave differently. Dare to do what you want and not what others tell you you should want.
Ashley Janelle @ Caterpillar Inc.
Do your research on as many roles within the tech industry as you can. This will allow you to make a very insightful and educated decision on what you decide to go into.
Don't allow what you don't know to hold you back from applying for a role. Obviously within reason, but if there is something small that you can learn on the fly or don't mind taking a quick course on and really working to understand, go for it.
Don't allow imposter syndrome to make you feel like the tech industry is not for you. There are a ton of women in tech!
Claire Burn @ Elastic & Women Who Code
Ask all the questions you can and write literally everything down – no question is stupid but asking it multiple times might be.
Ursula Cervantes @ N26
Apply for that job. You might think you are not qualified for that position, but what if instead, you think “Wow, I’m really going to learn a lot!”
Amanda Brock @ OpenUK
Learn. Go out and do some courses. My old boss pushed me to do a Master's degree in IT Law and supported my doing it with funding. Without that, I would not have ended up as an IT lawyer and having so much fun in IT.
Say yes to opportunities. Don’t allow yourself to find excuses not to do something or think that because you don’t have every skill required you aren’t able to do something.
Anna Del Prete @ Zego & Ladies of Code: London
You will never really be ready, so give up on trying to be perfect and just try, fail, try, succeed, and iterate.
Ayelen Chavez @ OLX Group
Trust yourself. You are good enough and can do anything you put your mind to.
Objectively prepare yourself for what is needed for the role you want to apply for or be promoted to and, be ready to give the best version of yourself.
Ask for help! You don’t need to show you can do everything by yourself. You are a superwoman and you are not alone.
Melanie Thompson @ Ammonite
What technology do you like? What kind of problems do you like to solve? Are you a good problem solver? It really does help to have an idea about what you'd like to do, so this is the kind of feedback that I like to give people.
One thing that I do encourage young developers to do is to get good with a UI framework. Especially if you're going into development from a front-end perspective first where you’re building websites, looking at what is available on the screen, and what people would like to do with it.
