Does the tech industry have the best jobs out there? Not yet certain; but bonuses, stock options, global demand, and flexible work options are some of the perks that make working in tech highly desired. Unfortunately, many people think getting into tech means becoming a web programmer or software engineer. Tech is an industry like any other: it has a demand for skills across STEM, social sciences and the humanities fields. Roles in tech range from Communications to UX Research (User Experience Research) and Project Management; what you are looking for is also looking for you. AMAKA presents tried-and-tested tips for breaking into tech.
Plan and do your research
Plan and do your research
Our good sis, Solange Knowles gave a sermon when she said ‘Do nothing without intention’ Start by being intentional about your goal, and then make a plan about how you are going to make it happen. Surround yourself with your dreams. Follow Black women tech influencers like Pearle Nwaezigwe, Samantha Imafidon, Nelo Techie and Felicia Talks Tech who are showing the way to building a diverse range of careers in tech.
When doing your research, explore options that are related to your current industry or hobbies. Common transition patterns are medical professional to health-tech, banker to fintech, writer to the communications department at tech companies or to media-tech, Psychology grad student to UX Researcher. Tech roles do not exist only in tech companies, your current industry also probably has tech roles you can pivot to. Remember that job titles and descriptions differ from company to company; ‘Product Designer’ in an aerospace company will be significantly different to a ‘Product Designer’ in a fintech company.
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Network, network, network
As you decide what best suits your interests and skills, build contacts with people and companies in your field of interest. If you are still in university, find campus ambassadors for tech companies you like. If there are none, reach out to the companies proposing to become their campus ambassador. Join or create clubs around your interests. If you are out of university,network intentionally. Samantha Imafidon, who works as a Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, advises that “You increase your likelihood of getting accepted into a job by going through a friend. You're more likely to build a relationship with someone you're introduced to through a friend” she says. “That's how I see networking: instead of being a complete stranger approaching a company or job application, why not try and get introduced through others.”
Build a portfolio
Tiwatayo Kunle, a content developer at Co Lab, interviews people who have just transitioned from other industries into tech. She recommends that “the most important thing [she has] found is gaining experience in the field before you get in. It will probably be difficult to find companies that will hire you with zero experience. But there are many boot camps like Co.Lab, schools like AltSchool Africa, courses from Udemy, Udacity, and Grow with Google from which you can get preliminary experience and training, develop your teamwork skills and create a tangible portfolio.” Volunteering and taking on side gigs are other good ways to create experience for yourself.
Consider getting a master's as Valery Otieno, a researcher at the Alan Turing Institute did. “Coming from a humanities background, I found it most challenging to find the resources and mentorship to break into the tech industry. In theory, anyone can work in tech but the industry has so many barriers in terms of getting entry-level roles” Otieno says. “Despite having an internship at Google during my undergrad, I still felt the need to be ‘qualified’ by getting a master's degree around tech. It paid off because it steered me towards “tech policy,” a rather new and ambiguous space with the growing need for more diverse voices in steering tech regulation,” she adds. Otieno’s master’s degree was in the Social Science of the Internet.
When it comes to building a portfolio, the routes are as varied as the roles. Remember you already have soft skills and transferable experience that is valued by tech companies. In fact, non-tech backgrounds can give job candidates an edge over other candidates. Valery Otieno also noted that she has “come to find that you really don’t need to code to be a good product manager or UX researcher. What’s more important is being tapped into different kinds of knowledge and ways of knowing and collaborating with others who have different skills in order to bring about better products or research.”
"And when you start to get offers, stop yourself from playing small"
Resilience and confidence
The journey may get frustrating. Whether you are applying for tech roles on the continent or abroad, you may have to get overly familiar with rejections. Find communities (online and offline) of other people making the transition to keep you motivated. It is important to remind yourself of your why. Listen to podcasts like Women Tech Charge by Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, Girls in Tech by Zuzy Martin-Aly and African Tech Woman by Joke Adekunle to keep you inspired with conversations by extraordinary women.
To help build discipline and resilience, Nelo Techie recommends keeping track of your progress and breaking down your goals into smaller tasks that will not overwhelm you. “No matter whom it’s coming from, pay no attention [to negativity] and focus on putting in so much work until you can materialise the vision you see in your head for yourself,” she advises on dealing with imposter syndrome.
And when you start to get offers, stop yourself from playing small. Negotiate your offers if they do not satisfy you. You have gotten to that point because you worked hard for it.