Switching to a career in Tech - is this realistic?

[careerswitcher2024]

There seems to be a big push to get more women into Technology roles, and so many coding classes aimed at women, but how realistic is this for a career switcher?

I'm considering switching career. I am 33. Graduated with a degree in Business Mathematics. Been working at an Engineering firm in a co-ordinator/finance role. I'm really bored and want out at the end of this year from both the company and the role.

I've previously done Code First Girls a few years ago and didn't like it so decided that it wasn't for me. However, I recently started CodeAcademy and I LOVE it. Currently doing HTML/CSS but hoping to do the SQL one too as I like the idea of data analysis.

I also did the free SheCodes one hour class and found it so engaging. The tutor is so much better than the ones at Code First Girls, and I only wish I'd tried other platforms earlier.

So now I'm wondering do I carry on with free classes? I'm tempted by the SheCodes basic course for £79 as I feel like it would be good, as the tutor is so good.

My biggest worry is that I don't want to be investing all this money only to not even find a job at the end of it.

I did a quick google of trainee and junior developer jobs, and I could hardly see any that didn't ask for at least 2 years experience. I almost feel like there's such a push to get women to switch careers into Tech, but no actual jobs for those who want to do it.

Any advice, opinions, and your own success stories would be really welcome.

I also considered this a couple of years ago, have a look at Makers makers.tech

There are also non-coding tech careers. Like Product Manager. I haven't transitioned but I think it would be easy for you to transition to data science. I'm thinking of doing it myself with one of those 12-16 week bootcamps.

Yes it’s realistic.
So, your best bet is to look for companies taking on people for re-skilling who will offer you real world experience. Where are you based?
I’d also try networking at meetups/tech events. Follow people on twitter/linkedin.
No one is likely to hire you based on your completion of an internet course, but it will help you get a foot in the door.
Could you shift into tech in your current company?

Please do not think you can be a product manager after a 12 week bootcamp.
They are just stealing your money.

I've been in IT for 20 years but I've been a contractor for most of them, so I don't feel I have the best advice to offer.

What I have done in the past that might be useful is networking (in the social, not technical, sense!) events for Women in IT in my local area. So for example this sort of thing at the Leeds Digital Festival would be ideal, if you have something similar locally.

Maybe have a look for a few women leaders in Engineering IT as it's your current sector, maybe follow them on Twitter/Insta, see what events they're going to.

In terms of jobs, I guess you are looking for a graduate trainee type role, but with the disadvantage that you're competing with recent IT grads. I wonder if there's scope for going in as a project manager in order to get your foot in the door, and then moving around once inside?

I worked in IT for many years.

The big problem is experience, you need to do your research and probably have to start at the bottom on a low wage to get it.

A friend of mine has a son, got all the qualifications inc to degree level, he has been unemployed for over a year now but i suspect if your SE based, it wont be like that for you.

When Govts talk about getting people into IT, they don't really know what they're talking about, IT is a huge field and the skills shortages are often in things like installers for fibre, hardware like routers/switches and internet security but so many programming roles (esp at lower levels) are based overseas and fibre/HW looks after itself once its in situ so these roles are often done by contractors who move around.

I think IT is one area where AI will be able to do quite a bit.

Have you considered ecommerce? There are lots of different routes in and it would allow you exposure to different technical functions to see what area might suit you - there could also be the possibility of shadowing a more technical team once you're in house

I would have a look at the government funded coding courses so wouldn’t shell out for anything else. https://www.skillsforcareers.education.gov.uk/pages/training-choice/skills-bootcamp
They’re free 12 week bootcamps in lots of tech areas.

I am in IT and I would look at project management or cyber security.

programming jobs need to be able to show portfolio of work even to get a foot in the door - all the programmers I know programme for fun so have work to show off. Plus HTMl/CSS is different from other programming languages and it is a bit easier to learn IMHO