How Did You Successfully Switch Careers Into Tech?

A strong portfolio made a big difference for me. I built several useful personal projects, kept the code organized in a public repository, and made sure my professional profile clearly described what I had created. I also prepared seriously for technical interviews, tailored my resume to each type of role, and applied consistently. The market is much tougher now, though, so projects and a degree or equivalent experience may not be enough by themselves—networking, referrals, and persistence matter a lot too.

I moved into tech through an adjacent role rather than trying to jump straight into a software position. I went from finance into inventory control at a technology manufacturing company. The pay structure changed from salary to hourly, but overtime kept the overall compensation fairly close. From there I worked my way up and eventually became a manufacturing product manager. Looking for roles that overlap with your existing experience can make the transition much more realistic.

Support makes a huge difference. I took classes for years, had periods where I had to return to my previous job to cover expenses, and went through a short contract that didn’t turn into a permanent role. I kept learning, stayed connected with mentors and tech-minded friends, and eventually received several offers, including contract and part-time opportunities. One contract did become a full-time job with better pay and benefits. My advice is to keep building skills, accept practical stepping-stone opportunities, and maintain relationships with former coworkers, mentors, and people in the field. Referrals can open doors that applications alone often don’t.

My path was gradual: I started with local government work, moved into cannabis distribution, and then landed an operations technician position. That first technical operations job gave me a way into the industry without requiring me to start over completely. Sometimes the best move is finding an entry point that uses your current strengths while exposing you to the kind of technology work you want to pursue.