I'm currently an English teacher with a decade of experience, and I'm feeling burnt out. I'm considering a career change and I've started learning Python. I'm wondering if just knowing Python will be sufficient to land a job in tech? If not, what additional skills should I look into, and what types of jobs could I possibly pursue?
5 Answers
I made a similar switch years ago. After learning Python and some web development basics, I landed an entry-level customer support role in tech just by talking about personal projects. Building something small can really help prove your skills. It can give you a foot in the door.
Honestly, just knowing Python might not cut it. You'll want to dive deeper into what specific role you're interested in, like backend development. You should familiarize yourself with the tools and frameworks used in that space, as well as general industry practices like unit testing and security. Also, get a grip on the overall ecosystem, such as cloud services and DevOps. Start with figuring out what you want to do and then build from there.
Definitely! It's important to distinguish between just knowing Python and really mastering it. Many people underestimate the depth of understanding needed to truly succeed.
You might consider leveraging your teaching skills into a career that blends both tech and communication, like technical writing or project management, which are highly valued and might suit your background well. Many folks from teaching backgrounds transition into those areas successfully.
You could look into roles like data analyst or quality assurance that may require Python knowledge but allow you to learn on the job. Also, getting involved in communities, like best practices for project management, will open new doors.
In this competitive job market, having just a Python skill won't guarantee you a job. Many employers prefer candidates with a CS degree. Also, don't rush this decision; the job landscape is challenging right now due to high competition and AI advancements complicating things further.
As a self-taught coder, I can tell you that coding is only part of the job. There's so much more to learn about architecture, CI/CD, and deployment that takes precedence over just writing code. Being ready for that is crucial.