From X Career to Tech; Why?

Background

Switching to a career in tech for me was a life-changing decision. This series is an attempt at summarizing the why, how, and what of the move for me and from here on for you too.

Today, I will be starting with Why?

So why am I writing this? Maybe, just maybe there is someone out there who is currently trying to switch from a non-tech career to one in Tech and is confused. Or maybe you've been a graduate and the first few years of looking for a job in your chosen career have frustrated you enough and someone mentioned that you should try Tech.

I am here to offer you clarity; Clarity as to why you should choose tech, how to know if the time is right for you to move, how you should go about it, and what part of tech you should try out.

After school and the mandatory NYSC, I was lucky to have been employed in one of the biggest Pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria. A blazing career as a Quality Assurance personnel kicked off.

After about 3+ years in the industry, I made some personal reviews and had talks with a few of my friends who were already on the Tech part back then and I decided to switch fully into Tech.

This article will attempt to guide you using my own fairly used lamp on your journey into the Tech world.

Whenever I am getting into something new or trying to learn something novel, one of the very first questions is why? Why should I leave where I am currently? Why do I believe the new route is a better one? Why are people saying this about that? Why do I need that for those? Answering the questions helps to reinforce your resolve while on the transition journey. When the going gets tough, the strong remember why they started in the first place.

Today, I will be helping you explore some Whys when it comes to switching to Tech.

For many the answers to the why range from reasons as deep as Purpose to some that you might consider not so deep as getting Remote job opportunities. Others are hoping to have more time for family or to do what they love. And still many others, the money.

For me, I wanted the freedom that came with earning more and having more time to explore my creative sides. My work was a meaningful one and I could clearly see how what I was doing was important to the lives and well-being of others. On the other hand, my work was monotonous and the tasks were repetitive (and rightly so due to the nature of the industry I was in) and I was getting bored

First off, switching to a career in tech as it stands today is fast becoming a standard good choice. Advising people to move is fast becoming the equivalent of telling a student to try and train as a Medical doctor, an Engineer, or a lawyer back then. The major difference however is that most career paths can find a reflection in tech or can easily find applications in tech. Also, skills already acquired can be very useful in some other ways in tech. Tech is that large field that enables and encourages the mobility of skill sets.

Switching Fully into Tech, why?

If you're someone who loves to be grand, then you should enjoy this.

Purpose

I have always held the opinion that Purpose is dynamic as against static. What do I mean?

The purpose of a thing is usually seen as the reason why something or someone (in this context) was created in the first place. A man's purpose is usually seen as the reason for his existence. I beg to disagree. The purpose is rather what a thing or someone is useful for at any given point in time.

No, you're not mono-useful, you're multi-purposeful.

A chair that is useful for sitting is also useful for decoration purposes. A better-looking chair could even serve as a symbol of power (Throne).

A person that knows how to communicate fluently and confidently who currently works as a Radio presenter need not take on the appellation of their job role for the rest of their life. Your oratory or writing skills can be useful not just as a lawyer or a journalist or any of such traditional roles. You can come into tech and be a Tech Evangelist. You can write technical articles. Your managerial skills might mean you will be a very good project manager or be very useful in business development.

And in the event that you feel lost in the career path you are currently on, this is an opportunity for you to redefine or rediscover yourself. Much more than material gains, it is a cool thing for you to find joy, fulfillment in what you do daily. Tech has so many areas that can ignite your passion; light up that childhood spark in your heart.

If you've found purpose, you can rechannel your purposefulness to tech easily. And why will you want to do that? Because Tech gives you the opportunity of a wider reach. You might just be able to change the world with your talent as a perfectionist working on a project as a Quality Assurance personnel.

If you're yet to find meaning to what life is about, I am not saying Tech is the meaning of life. I am simply pointing out to you that your existence at this present point in time is useful in tech whether you believe it or not. We want you to come and fill in available roles or bring on the next big idea that will cause a positive revolution. You can't hide this burning light in you forever pal. We need you in tech.

There are so many reasons why you should come into Tech that I can list here but no, I just want you to focus on the fact that through tech, you can change the world. Even if you fail, you can change your world at least. How would feel knowing that Artificial intelligence codes you've written to program a bot have led to successful surgeries for 100s of patients across the globe? Or imagine working on a data science project where you are able to analyze data on fraud prevention in banks. Imagine that leads to a 78% decrease in the cases of fraud across your country. Just take a few moments to picture how this "you" can effect change in the world through tech.

A career in tech can also mean you have more time to smile, play and listen to your family and loved ones. As a work-from-home Dad, you have the advantage of being actively present with your kids as they grow. Of course, not everyone in tech works from home but if it will increase your chances of you being one of them, that alone for me is a good bargain.

If you are reading this from a developing country, I am also glad to let you know that your standard of living is about to take a huge boost. Taking the tech route could mean that you have more money to save, give to help others, and sure, spend on yourself. Since the monetary benefit is not the focus of this treatise, I will just say it as simply as possible. If not for anything, there is money to be made in tech. Come.

In summary for this first part:

1. I am glad you're even considering a career in tech in the first place, it is a move in the right direction.
2. Before you jump in to learn what tech is all about and how to swing into full action, understand why you are making this move first. Having a strong why will keep you strong on this journey. And it might turn out to be a long one.
3. Thinking about purpose? Whether you've found a purpose or not, you can find a new purpose or rechannel your existing purpose into a career in one of the numerous areas of Tech. In the coming parts, I will show you many and teach you how.
4. Switching into tech, yay! But please calm down. If you're currently earning from a source, don't just resign. We are in this together, I will take you step-by-step till you're able to boldly answer when someone shouts "Tech bro" or "Tech sis".
5. Now that the seed has been sown, you have a responsibility to water it a little till I come your way soon. Get on google and read about careers in tech and how your current abilities can be adapted to switch and drop some in the comments section.

Till I come your way again...

Samuel O.