Technology (also known as tech) is the application of science to solve human problems. According to Forbes Advisor, one of the most reliable business magazines, tech remains one of the highest-paying career fields all over the world, with an average of 5 million people working in computer occupations and a 14.2% projected growth in employment for computer occupations from 2022 to 2032. That being said, a lot of opportunities and jobs in tech are being created every day, which makes it in high demand. But hold on! Before you quit your job to transition into tech, here are a few things you must understand:
1.) Start with research
Before diving into tech, you need to understand that there are over 42 fields in tech, each one requiring its unique programming languages, tools, and skills. For those who would prefer a more hands-off approach, there are no-code roles like Product Management, User Interface Design, etc, that offer opportunities to leverage tech without deep-diving into programming
2.) Self-discovery is important
It is essential to know the kind of person you are and what excites you so you can play on your strengths and interests rather than your weaknesses. Before you get into tech, you should be able to decide what track you want to go down based on your understanding of yourself. It makes it easier that way. Are you someone interested in visual arts or design, or perhaps have a good eye for colors? You can go into product design, where you get to craft the visual elements of websites.
3.) You need a roadmap
After doing initial research and choosing a path to define the "what", a roadmap defines the "how". A roadmap is a strategic plan that defines a goal or desired outcome and includes the major steps or milestones needed to reach it. Before you go straight to learning or building, it is important to have milestones or a guide that tracks your progress. A roadmap offers the detailed guidance you need to navigate your chosen track.
Figure 1: A basic frontend developer roadmap (Feb 24, 2024)
4.) Learning a tech skill requires consistency.
When learning a tech skill, consistency is important. The journey can get overwhelming, but it is important to be patient with yourself. Many people are held back by their inconsistencies, so building systems around you that help you maintain steady progress with the tech skills you are learning is important. Remember that anything worthwhile takes time, and mastery requires time and consistency. So when you start, keep moving forward, even when it doesn't make sense
6.) You can tailor your learning style to your strengths
Self-discovery in this regard helps you avoid frustration and makes learning easier and more interesting. It is more effective to understand how best you learn and apply that to your journey. What works for one may not work for all, so you must take note of your strengths and use them to your advantage. For example, I find that a mix of reading documentation and instructional videos works for me, but some would prefer only documentation, while others learn more effectively using tutorial videos.
5.) Mentorship and community are important
The benefits of having a mentor cannot be overemphasized, from providing inspiration to offering guidance and support. A more experienced person in your field has likely faced the challenges you are encountering and has valuable insights on solving them, so why struggle? Mentorship and community are especially instrumental when you are experiencing downtime and need some encouragement. If you find yourself without access to a mentor, you can also surround yourself with a community of people who support you, inspire you, and remind you of the goals you want to achieve. By shaping your surroundings to reinforce your commitment, you'll find it easier to stay on track.
7.) You need a defined motivation
Even after defining the "what" and "how" of your journey in tech, the "why" is just as important. Each person is driven by different factors, therefore understanding your personal motivations is crucial. Tech has much more to offer than a high-paying salary. I believe motivation is a foundation for commitment. Whatever reason for which you get started should be strong enough to keep you committed.
8.) The journey of learning never ends
While feeling overwhelmed by the volume of things you have to learn, it is important to remember that life itself involves continuous learning, and even professionals are still learning and revisiting concepts once in a while. It is perfectly fine to revisit a learning material to refresh your understanding or to go back to tutorials whenever you find yourself in a pickle.
Even completing a roadmap is never the end in the tech world; it is just the beginning. Technology evolves daily, with new frameworks and tools being created and discovered. Adopting a mindset of continuous growth will keep you in check and help you easily adapt to changes, expand your expertise, and stay up-to-date. The journey of learning never ends in tech, and that's what makes it exciting. The more you learn, the more you grow.
9.) The best way to learn is by building
I know the thought of building a project on your own may seem daunting, but you can start by adding extra features to your tutorial projects. Building doesn't necessarily have to be "from scratch"; it can be improving or adding new functionalities to an already existing project. The key is to consistently apply the knowledge you have acquired to help deepen your understanding of the subject.
10.) Just start
It is possible to get caught up in the loop of waiting for the perfect moment to transition into tech, but the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect moment. Someone once said, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is now". If you're sure you want to transition into tech, don't let your perceived shortcomings hold you back. Tech is for everyone, irrespective of their age or background. The most important step is to START. The sooner you begin your journey, the sooner you'll grow and reap the rewards of your efforts
Conclusion
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List of References
Figure 1: Code Solvers: YouTube Video