The path to a career in tech is rarely a straight line.
It’s not a Roman road—it’s winding, full of detours, and sometimes the most valuable skills come from unexpected places. If you’re looking to break into the industry or transition from another field, the good news is that there are more opportunities than ever. The key is to say yes to the things that interest you, be open to learning, and remember that every experience can contribute to your journey.
Embrace Opportunities and Stay Curious
Breaking into tech doesn’t require a specific background or a linear career path. Many people enter the industry from diverse fields bringing valuable skills that can be applied in unexpected ways. The key is to take every opportunity to learn, whether that’s through formal training, side projects, or hands-on experience.
One of the best ways to grow in tech is to get involved in different aspects of a business, whether it’s working with data, understanding system workflows, or exploring project management. Gaining exposure to these areas helps build a well-rounded skill set that can open doors to roles in software development, business intelligence, or digital transformation.
Tech careers thrive on adaptability and problem-solving. Rather than focusing on a single path, think about the broader skills you can develop, as these transferable skills can be your steppingstone into the industry.
The takeaway? You don’t need a computer science degree to succeed in tech. Every step in your career, even those that don’t seem obviously tech-focused, can help you build towards a future in the industry. The more curious and open you are to learning, the more opportunities you’ll find.
Tap into the Community
One of the best ways to transition into tech is to immerse yourself in the community. The fintech sector is thriving, with countless free-to-attend events, training sessions, networking opportunities, and seeing first-hand how technology is shaping the industry.
Engaging with the tech community not only expands your market and product knowledge but also helps you think outside the box. It’s one thing to read about trends online, but hearing from people who are actively building products and solving problems in the field will give you a much deeper understanding.
Understanding the Customer is Everything
Great technology isn’t about the most advanced code or the flashiest features, it’s about solving real problems. The best tech is built with the user in mind, working backwards from the outcome you want to achieve.
If you want to develop a successful product, you need to live in the head of the person using it. That means building strong client relationships and understanding their pain points. Often, your direct client contact isn’t the end-user, and to create truly effective technology, you need a broad view of the people and processes involved.
Overcoming Challenges and Growing in Your Career
Like many people moving into senior roles, one of the biggest challenges faced is learning to let go of doing everything yourself. In the early stages of your career, success is often about individual performance, but collaboration becomes far more important as you move up.
You can overcome this by embracing diverse perspectives and ensuring that you aren’t working in a bubble. The more input and ideas you welcome, the better your solutions will be.
Another key challenge in tech is that career progression, especially to senior and director-level roles, often comes with people management and client relationship responsibilities. It’s not just about technical ability; soft skills play a huge role and are key to development.
If you’re new to people management, seek out opportunities to develop your skills early, such as learning from experienced relationship managers, or consider mentoring, either as a mentor or a mentee. If your company doesn’t have a mentoring programme, suggest setting one up or looking for external options which offer great networking and support for women in business.
Breaking into tech is about being open to learning, taking on new challenges, and applying your experiences in creative ways. Whatever industry you come from, there’s a place for you in tech, but the key is to keep moving forward and embrace the journey, wherever it may lead.
