Sometimes, a childhood dream does not materialize in ways that were expected. It happens pretty frequently with people and their career choices. The kid who wanted to be a firefighter is now a doctor. The child who dreamed of being in the NBA is now a leading attorney. And because of the rise and advancement of tech, many people are looking at their current career and educational choices to figure out how they, too, can pivot and be a part of the rising tech industry.
Breaking into tech is a pivot that’s possible, but it’s also one that is filled with nuance. During the first quarter of 2023, AFROTECH™ covered workforce layoffs that heavily impacted the tech industry. That coverage revealed that the industry was negatively affected by the influx of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workforce.
While this landscape seemed complicated to navigate, the value of those jobs remained strong despite the fear of AI, making the industry a viable option for those looking to break into tech.
Despite the changing landscape, the journey of people like Gabe Williams, a senior product manager at Squarespace, is both inspiring and proof positive that shifting into tech is not as cumbersome as it may seem.
“Actually, I graduated in 2015 with a communication degree, so nothing involving computer science or business. I was very interested in marketing, though,” Williams explained. “So, all throughout college, I was building websites. And once I graduated college, I had an internship but didn’t have a job.”
Based on his interest, Williams applied for a part-time marketing role that he did not land, but the company routed his resume to another department. Because of his portfolio of building websites and internship experience, the company called him back, interested in offering him a product management role. This set him up for the work he is doing today.
Williams’ story is an example of the collision of passion and previous seemingly unrelated work, which can be the entry into an industry that really has your interest.
“I think the No. 1 thing is figuring out what you want,” Williams explained. “What are you optimizing for? What is that person optimizing for? Are they optimizing for money? Are they optimizing for security and safety? Are they optimizing to have some fun and to do something that they’re passionate about, or are they just looking for something safe? Because some roles are going to be safer.”
He continued: “Cybersecurity is a pretty safe role because there are so many openings. There are a few different certifications, so if you get the right training, you should be good to continue to go from company to company versus something with more risks. Startups right now are much riskier because of the high interest rates. So it’s really important to figure out what you want from this job transition.”
Although everyone’s journey is nuanced, some of the basic applications for breaking into tech are universal. If landing the perfect tech job is a part of your vision board, here are four tips that make a pivot similar to Williams’ a little less daunting.
Coding And Tech Certificates
Learning the basics of coding can be game-changing if you want to break into tech. Whether it’s Python, JavaScript, or HTML/CSS, understanding the basics of building out codes can be a skill proven to benefit many entry-level tech roles.
Additionally, advancing your education doesn’t always mean gaining a four-year degree. Many schools have certificate programs that will support learning code and position you as a subject matter expert for specific areas of interest.
Sales Is A Viable Entry Point
Not having a formal education in majors related to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) does not mean you are not qualified. Many tech organizations have sales departments that don’t require extensive knowledge of technology. If you have charisma and are up for the challenge of closing deals, acquiring a sales role can be an ideal way into the tech industry.
Build A Tech Portfolio
Have you done any freelance work associated with tech? If so, showcase that by developing a portfolio for hiring managers. Creating a portfolio that showcases your skills and projects is essential. This could include websites, apps, or any software you’ve developed. A portfolio demonstrates your practical experience and problem-solving abilities.
“Increase your surface area for luck. You do that by making yourself more accessible in getting more people to know about you, whether that’s creating content online like LinkedIn or TikTok, whatever it may be,” Willaims stated.
Build Your Network
In some cases, it’s not what you know. It’s all about who you know. Attending networking events and maximizing LinkedIn connections are just two ways you can expand your network and gain insight into open positions.
“I’ve gotten two jobs just by reaching out to people and cold DMing people and asking for an interview, and that puts me on top of their long list of applicants,” Williams said about his process. “Joining different types of tech-related groups is also a cheat code. I was a part of many Slack groups and all of that because community is so important and someone in there could be your key to access.”
Also, don’t forget to tap into conferences like AFROTECH, where you can attend impactful sessions and rub elbows all week with people who can help you land your dream job in the tech industry.
While this list is a starting point, Williams has also turned his practical experience into a pretty comprehensive guide that helps people who don’t know where to begin. Although he mentioned that startups can be risky, Williams is not risk-averse.
“I’m a big advocate for working at a startup first because you can literally learn everything. You’re almost working three different jobs,” Williams said. “You will learn so much even if you do it for one or two years. And I’m a big proponent of this concept of being so good that you can’t be ignored. Imagine being so good at your job that they literally can’t ignore you. They need you. So that’s important.”
