I want to share some early tech career tips curated from listening to Joseph Smith's (Techniche Tips) interview with Lawrence Lockhart. I relate to his journey as it mirrored my own; transitioning into tech from an unrelated industry and being older with a family.
The first golden nugget of information was not letting any -isms hold you back. Perseverance is a key part of success, just as powerful as whatever you are learning. Acknowledge that there isn't a straight path into tech. It may take a few years, a few mistakes, or a few detours.
Determine what are your core competencies and ensure this is reflected on your LinkedIn profile, resume, and anything surrounding your brand. This is something you can talk about, build upon, and take to every interview that makes you stand out.
Next, do whatever you can to join communities (find your tribe) and participate. You never know what value you will bring or receive. Understand that getting help from others is strongly how you present yourself to the world. Use these opportunities to find real-world experiences.
Afterward, be very focused on getting that first role. Even if it doesn't look like "everyone else dream". It's not about making six figures it's about getting the initial experience. Treat your career like a game of chess, not checkers. The goal is for job one to set you up for job 2.
You can view this awesome podcast episode at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3v9CVlubLY
Top comments (0)