Starting safely.

Starting safely.

A guide to transitioning into Tech.

Getting into the Tech ecosystem these days is as easy as it is difficult. With the advantages the internet has provided us in getting information and improving personal development just by a few swipes of one’s digital screen or a few clicks on one’s keyboards, it makes getting the information needed to transition into tech easy. However, the amount of information overload all over the internet about the tech space makes it equally difficult. There are a lot of resources on the internet that can teach you how well you can transition into tech but this video on Designing a Tech Career Roadmap by Yewande Odumosu gives so much clarity as well as the confidence to transition into tech safely. Below are a few highlights from the video for me:

  • Evaluate where you are: An early evaluation gives you a sense of things that you are aligned with. It helps you to understand who you are, the role you are interested in, and your strengths and skills (skills that come easy to you, the skills that you have developed, and the ones you are still willing to learn). Identifying these skills can let you understand what your roadmap can look like. And a constant evaluation lets you stay in tune with how far you have gone and how far you still need to go.

  • Own your development and learning: Understand where you want to start from; a technical role or a non-technical role. Then take your development into action, learn at your pace and never at the pace of others, take courses for the skills (Hard or Soft) you have settled on learning, and stay consistent. Make sure you are getting the best out of your learning phase at whatever point in time, and that you are not just doing it so you can move forward, and never stop improving. Yewande thinks the most vital skill in tech is the ability to learn and stay disciplined. Keep this in mind. As you go higher in your career, you learn things that resonate with you. Channel your energy into those, explore your interests, prepare for opportunities, and put your best foot forward when the opportunities come.

  • Update your online profile: Most people don't want to be seen starting, don't be those people, put yourself out to the watching world. Take courses and let the world know about that, complete projects and let the world see the good works you have, as this opens doors of opportunities and helps you improve. Connect with online profiles and remember to learn from them.

  • Join communities: There are a lot of tech communities around to be a part of and this can enhance your career in the space. Make sure you are in communities that help you improve. A community should not make you feel less about your progress, so join the communities that resonate with you.

I have decided to stay intentional about my journey. I might need to re-evaluate. I will keep in mind to learn at my pace but at a good pace, own my development, and set out time to explore.

Start, no matter how long you think it might take. Learn, and then practice. Learn some more and make sure you are practicing much more. There are a lot of tech roles, make sure you are exploring. The "wowing" success is not automatic, it takes time. Flow with the time, and remember to celebrate your wins. I wish you the best in your transition.

Cheers.🥂