UNCOMMOMN TIPS TO NOTE WHEN TRANSITIONING INTO TECH
By Nazifi Aroke Muhammed
The global trend in the world today is the total embrace of technology in all sectors of the job industry, people are not only embracing tech to fit into their various jobs but to also become a tech professional due to diverse opportunities, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to be part of cutting-edge innovations and remote jobs the tech industry offer.
It’s undoubtedly known that one can never go wrong in pursuing a tech career. However, it comes with certain challenges and harsh realities that should be taken into serious consideration by anyone intending to learn or switch careers to tech. Many people rush into the profession, get stuck and become bored, and may want to quit, even during the learning phase.ransitioning into the tech industry can be an exciting yet challenging journey………….
Now let’s talk about one of the major motivating factors that makes people switch career to tech ’MONEY’’, to earn in foreign currencies. As the phrase goes ‘’tech is the new oil money’’.
Contrary to this misconception, tech is not a get rich scheme. While there are certainly high paying jobs in tech, it’s not what you wake up overnight to meet a fat pay, it is a field that demands time, deep understanding of concepts, efforts to learn necessary skills, strong networking and wealth of experience to be successful.
Disturbingly, money as the motivating factor in transitioning to tech has led newbies to a confusing career path, misused opportunities, and ultimately not having the best learning experience possible.
Another very common Factor associated with tech but hardly talked about is imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome reflects a belief that a person is inadequate and incompetent failure despite evidence that you are skilled and successful.
In context of tech, it’s ubiquitous for individuals transitioning into tech to doubt their abilities and constantly compare themselves to more experienced professionals. It will always reflect that you are not qualified, tech savvy or smart enough to practice the profession. This can lead to anxiety, stress or burnout. However, it is pertinent to note that, imposter syndrome does not define your abilities and skills. With consistence learning, dedication, seeking support from mentors or joining communities of like-minded individuals can also provide valuable encouragement.
The conceived misconception that the tech industry offers a safe haven for time luxury is far from the reality of the time constraints within the industry.
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The perception of time freedom is often a key basis influencing individuals to learn or switch careers to tech. However, time is a valuable and scarce resource in the tech realm. The time commitment required for transitioning into tech careers can be significant. Learning and staying up to date with the latest tech concepts and tools often demands continuous effort.
The fast-paced and demanding work culture of tech prioritizes productivity and efficiency, subjecting tech professionals to pressure to meet deadlines and innovate due to time constraints they must contend with. Despite the flexible work arrangements and success stories of tech entrepreneurs, the reality is that time constraints are a significant factor in the industry.
Unquestionably, acquiring tech knowledge and skills is the primary phase of transition into tech, nobody wakes up overnight to become a tech pro, it takes hard work and effort to learn the necessary skills. Therefore when nurturing the consideration of switching career to tech especially for individuals with zero knowledge, know that acquiring tech skills involves financial investment. This often requires investing in courses, software, certifications, boot camps, tech conferences, and the technologies needed.
Also, to stay relevant and establish a promising career prospects, in an increasingly tech-driven industry, the cost of learning tech skills is almost not avoidable. While nurturing the consideration, it’s essential to set a budget for these expenses and sort for affordable alternatives such as free online courses or resources to minimize cost.
Intriguingly, I once had the privilege of attending a tech conference on twitter space organized by Dahel consultants and techies where the speaker, emphasized that building a network of professionals is the gateway to a successful career in the tech industry. As a newbie transitioning into the tech industry, it is essential to understand the unique dynamics of networking in tech and adapt your approach accordingly .Networking is the pathway to job and professional opportunities, mentorship and staying connected with the tech communities.
Mental health is crucial to our career journey………
The transition into the tech industry impacts mental well-being significantly, necessitating recognition of mental health importance. Learning tech involves critical thinking, time demands, and repetitive tasks, presenting challenges and excitement. The tech industry cultivates a fast-paced culture, inducing high stress, late work hours, and isolation, demanding tasks within tight deadlines. Consequently, these pressures may potentially result in feelings of frustration, anxiety, burnout, and, at times, depression.
Conclusively, it is advisable to be aware of the potential challenges and take steps to support your mental health during the transition, this include setting realistic goals, making time for self-care, and finding a support system. Hence prioritizing mental health plays a crucial role in navigating a successful transition.
