INTRODUCTION
Many people want to transition into tech but do not know how to go about it, where they fit in, the best role suitable for them, etc.
You do not need to be so worried, it is normal to have lots of questions and doubts, everyone does at this point but you will figure it out. There is a variety of careers available in the world of technology, ranging from developer roles like app development and web development to non-developer roles like product design and project management. The career opportunities are numerous and you may find yourself at a crossroad when it comes to narrowing down your choices.
While it can be difficult to know what the best technology career path is for you, here are a few helpful tips to enable you to choose the best tech career path for you (Culled from Designing a Tech Career Roadmap by Yewande Odumosu;
i. EVALUATING WHERE YOU ARE NOW
Understanding who and where you are is essential, especially in terms of your profession. In actuality, your previous jobs, where you've gone, family, and friends all matter to your decision.
Reassessing how far you have come, where you are in your career and answering a few questions like ” what do people say I am good at?”, “what motivates me?”, ”What aspect of my work/course do I enjoy the most or the least? and so on, would be good pointers to helping you figure out what tech career path might be best suitable for you.
ii. UNDERSTANDING YOUR STRENGTHS AND SKILLS
Being aware of the skills that you have right now, the ones that come easily to you, the ones you have developed over time and the ones you still want to learn will help you decide on what tech career your skills are most needed and relevant to. Some of your already acquired skills are transferable and can lead you to your ideal tech career. Trust me, no matter how insignificant you might think your skill is, you have something to offer in the tech space.
iii. RESEARCH
After you have reflected, and listed your hard and soft skills, it's time to do your research. This will give you a clue about the diverse careers in technology and the one(s) that are best suited for you (because you know that you have transferable skills for that particular career path).
In addition to your research, these resources below can further guide you;
Difference Between A Web Developer And Web Designer
Apart from reading the resources above, take an intro class or crash course(there are lots of resources on youtube, classcentral, freecodecamp, udemy etc). Join a community or volunteer for a particular role you think will open you up to more knowledge and experience in your career interest. If while on the job, you realize that your strength and skills are more suitable for a different tech role, you are free to switch to a better-suited career path and do not hesitate to do so, your tech journey mustn't be linear.
Here Comes The Jitters
Photo by EtiAmmos on Adobe Stock
After you have done all your research and you have chosen a tech career path, you must understand that self-doubts, jitters, fear, uncertainties and the likes might set in. However, I encourage you to look beyond what you feel and remain focused. Persevere through the discomfort and if you stay consistent, determined and studious, you will find that in the next few months, you'll pat yourself on the back for how far you have come.
Here is a quiz from heelsandtech that will help you figure out what tech career path you should tow.
Click this link to take the phenomenal Heels and Tech Career Quiz.
You've got this!!!
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