Hey there! Are you interested in starting a tech career but unsure where to begin? With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But don't worry, we've got you covered!
In this article, we'll explore practical tips and strategies to help you launch your tech career successfully. I promise not to bore you with technical terminologies and it’s going to be a sort of one-one communication just make sure you flow with me.
Discover yourself
I think nobody should know you better other than yourself. Knowing what you derive pleasure in and your ability will go a long way when starting your career. One thing you have to know is the technology world is a very big space and everyone doesn’t have to code.
Do well by asking yourself these questions:
What are the things I love making research about?
When I see those things what is the first thing I pay attention to?
Am I always curious about these things?
Asking yourself these questions is very important because it makes you discover your interest and what you’ll definitely enjoy doing. When you visit a website, what is the first thing you notice/pay attention to? Do you care so much about the design or how it looks/is structured? The logic behind every button you click or the functionality? Are you curious about where your data are going?
If you can answer those questions it will definitely go a long way. Now, after discovering yourself, what's next?
Picking a niche/stack
Discovering yourself will make this step so easy for you. I mentioned above that there are a lot of niches that people don't pay attention to while everyone pays attention to coding.
Non-engineering roles
Project Management: This role involves overseeing a team or department, setting goals, and making decisions that affect the organization's project success. This skill relates to your personality whereas most of them can't be learned. You must have good communication skills and be able to manage a team.
Marketing: This role involves developing and executing marketing strategies to promote a company's products or services and increase revenue.
UI/UX Design: UI/UX stands for User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX), and it refers to the design of a digital product or service that aims to provide an intuitive, user-friendly, and satisfying experience for the end user. Good UI/UX design can help increase user engagement, customer satisfaction, and overall business success.
Customer Support: Customer support refers to the process of providing assistance, guidance, and solutions to customers who are experiencing issues with a company's products or services. Did you feel you are good at breaking down what customers feel it's complex into simpler terms? Give it a try.
"Find a niche and scratch it until it bleeds." - Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter and Medium
What about other engineering roles?
Web development: Web development is the process of creating websites and web applications that you can access through the internet. When you visit a website or use an app, you're interacting with a lot of code that makes it work. Web developers are the people who write that code and build the website or app.
There are two main parts to web development: the front end and the back end. The front end is what you see on your screen - the design, layout, and buttons you click on.
The back end is the part that you don't see, but it's what makes everything work behind the scenes, like storing your login information or processing your orders. Now ask yourself again, do you care about design or logic? I believe you know the answer to that yourself.
Cloud management: Cloud management refers to the process of managing and optimizing the use of cloud computing resources. Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, such as servers, storage, databases, and software, over the internet. Cloud management involves making sure that these resources are being used efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively.
Mobile development: Mobile development involves designing and programming mobile apps to be compatible with different platforms such as iOS or Android. Mobile apps can provide many features and functionality such as communication, entertainment, education, and productivity. Does it sound like what you are interested in? Have you ever researched how mobile applications are being developed? Do that now.
Note: We have more than enough Engineering and non-engineering niches available out there, take your time to research more.
You must have picked a niche/stack by now. I'm sure you have to learn the niche you picked. Find out how to now.
How to learn
Think of it, what works best for you when it comes to learning? Are you a big fan of tutorial videos? Do you enjoy reading the documentation for learning? Or are you the type who watches tutorials first and then read documentation to get more details?
Let's assume you are thinking of starting web development. You have to start with HTML(Hypertext Markup Language), CSS(Cascading Style Sheets), and Javascript.
Do you really have to pay for tutorials? No! There are a lot of materials out there you can use.
Codecademy offers courses like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript which will take you from scratch to intermediate as a web developer.
W3Schools offers a bunch of courses too that can take you from a non-tech background to a developer.
Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, and Khan Academy offer amazing video tutorials and other resources to help you shape your career.
Note: These materials might seem overwhelming though you are very correct but take it step-by-step. Don't rush any process because once you miss a foundation then trust me you'll need to go back to them which will slow down your progress. Take your time.
"I'm a big believer in learning and growing through curiosity and humility." - Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet Inc.
Do you know that you don't just have to learn only? What are the other things you have to do?
Join Communities, Network, and Get a Mentor
Do you know that the best way or the most comfortable way to learn is to be among people you are pursuing the same goals? It will definitely go a long way. Are you not curious about ways to find communities and mentors?
LinkedIn is a good platform to connect with people and get to know them better. Search for groups e.g "Web development groups" you'll definitely see both experts and people learning like you and you'll be motivated by what they share and tips that can help you survive the learning. You can send Direct messages to individuals and from there you can get yourself a mentor who will walk you through the web development learning journey.
Twitter isn't a place you should underrate its power. Always believe in the power of networking. Search for people you feel are in the same niche you are starting.
Few accounts you can follow on Twitter
@bahdcoder(Frantz Kati) - He's a good instructor and cares so much about the growth of everyone coming into tech. He tweets about tips that can enhance your career
Akintunde Sultan (@hackSultan): He's the co-founder of Alt School Africa. Always giving back to the community, also organize a tech assembly where you give the report of what you are building and get to meet other techies.
Olubisi Idris Ayinde (@olanetsoft): He cares so much about the tech community and he's a good speaker, writer, and motivator. Gives talks at various events. Always keep an eye on his timeline for virtual events and Twitter spaces.
One last thing, attend tech events. In every city, there is a Google Developers Group where we have more than 1,000 chapters across 140 countries. You can join a chapter by using this link then find a chapter close to you by entering your location. You'll definitely see amazing events you can attend both physically and Virtually which will help you in your entire career.
Other tips
Ensure to dedicate time every day to learning and practicing new skills.
Proactively search for information and resources on the internet to enhance your knowledge.
In case of a power outage, become proficient in managing the battery life of your electronic devices such as smartphones and computers. Charge them regularly to ensure they are always available.
Once you feel confident in your ability to learn, seek out contract work opportunities that require you to learn new concepts and skills. It is not crucial how much you get paid at this stage, but additional income is always welcome.
Put yourself out there and let others know that you are serious about your goals. This can be achieved through various means such as building a website, starting conversations with people, engaging on social media, or blogging.
Keep pushing forward and don't give up. Persistence is key to achieving success.
Conclusion
I hope you're feeling excited about the idea of starting a career in the tech industry. It can be a bit daunting, but trust me, with the right mindset and strategies, you can totally make it happen!
To get started, it's important to identify your niche - that is, figure out what specific area of tech you're interested in pursuing. From there, you can focus your efforts on learning and mastering those skills. There are plenty of online resources and courses available to help you do just that. Don't forget to seek out mentorship and networking opportunities, too!
So go ahead and take that first step toward an exciting and rewarding tech career! With persistence, dedication, and a positive attitude, you can achieve great things. I believe in you!