10 Best Tips For People That Want To Break Into Tech This Year

Breaking into the tech industry can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. Since we launched OctaDev, many people have asked us questions like; how to break into tech with no experience, what is the quickest way to get into tech, and what is the easiest tech job for beginners.  If you want to get into tech with no experience, but are wondering how to break into the tech industry this year, we have got you covered in this well-crafted special guide to help you get started in your tech journey. Most people today who are in the tech industry did not become all they are today, overnight. But it all started with deciding to transition to a tech career, you can become one of them if you read this carefully. 

From which tech skills are in high demand in Nigeria, and other parts of the world, to the easiest jobs in tech to get, every beginner has hundreds if not thousands of questions about tech and how they can start the right way. One of the most interesting things about tech is that you can get into the tech industry without a college degree. There are organizations, volunteers, institutions, and individuals dedicated to teaching people how to learn tech skills, and how they can hone their skills and most importantly monetize them.

There are various ways to break into tech without breaking the bank. Today, our platform Octadev.org, and many other available online resources in text form, image, and video formats, can prepare you for success, even for free or with little token to appreciate good work.

10 easy ways to get into tech

Because I have been through the stage you are in right now, with my experiences so far, I stand in the right position to hold you by the hands and show you the right steps to take, to achieve your goals, and I will start the list in this section.

Let’s dive into the strategies that will help you get into tech this year…

1. Mentorship

One of the greatest ways of learning is to learn from people’s experiences. While you may be excited trying to learn a thing by yourself, it is important to take into consideration the amount of failure you will most likely encounter due to trial and error and the amount of time you could waste trying it all alone.

Aside from learning from a mentor’s experience, your mentor is more likely to have a great network of influential persons in your field, who can contribute immensely to your growth. It could be their words of encouragement, and technical and financial support.

2. Build a strong foundation with online courses

I sincerely understand how busy you can be with what is currently keeping food on your table, and that 1 hour a day learning a new skill can be very challenging for you. While you do not necessarily need to transport yourself to any physical location to acquire a tech skill, there’s the option for online learning and a little time spent learning something new can make a big difference in the long run. 

Start by taking comprehensive online courses that cover essential tech skills. We offer a range of courses tailored for beginners and advanced learners in various tech fields such as programming, web development, data science, and more. These courses often come with interactive projects and hands-on assignments that help solidify your understanding of core concepts. Interestingly, you can learn at your own pace and from the comfort of your home. 

There’s no doubt that consistent learning and practice can significantly boost your competence and confidence levels, making you more attractive to potential employers.

3. Develop a portfolio of projects

When you finally learn a tech skill, creating a portfolio to showcase your projects is crucial for demonstrating your skills to potential employers. Most people who will get into business with you will most likely ask to see your recently completed projects and reviews from customers. 

Remember to take note of projects you have handled, it could be the project you did while learning a particular skill or a project you carried out for a company and was paid for your services. Whether it’s a simple website, a complex algorithm, or a full-stack application, having a tangible body of work illustrates your abilities better than any resume can. Document your projects well, highlighting the problems you solved and the technologies you used.

4. Participate in coding challenges

Recently, most tech companies have picked a greater percentage of their workers through coding games or challenges, where the winners usually go home with different prizes for their achievements and contributions. It is a modern way of discovering skills and talents in the tech world. You can see challenges held by various companies by conducting a deep search or playing around with common interview questions asked by giant tech companies to learn and equip yourself in case you appear for an interview soon or want to try your hands on a tech bounty. 

Honestly, attempting code challenges can improve your problem-solving skills and prepare you for the types of questions you’ll encounter in different tech interviews. Trying out a hackathon doesn’t make you less, rather it adds to what you are made of and can be an eye-opener for new opportunities or a warning alarm to improve your skills.

5. Network with industry professionals

Your ability to network with others in your field of interest can make your journey a smooth and interesting journey packed with experiences. Just as most people need help to break into tech, by learning from industry experts, the aspect of networking becomes very necessary for even someone who is already a tech bro or a tech sis and wants to keep up with tech trends.

It is no longer news that we are in a fast-paced world where technology keeps advancing with every passing day, networking with others in your niche is essential in breaking deep into any industry, including tech. A great way to start is to join online forums, attend virtual meetups, and participate in discussions on platforms where your topic of interest is discussed.

Honestly, engaging with a community of learners and professionals can provide insights, mentorship opportunities, and even job leads. Be active on professional networks like LinkedIn, and don’t hesitate to reach out to industry professionals for advice and informational interviews.

6. Stay updated with the latest tech trends

Technology evolves rapidly, and staying current with trends is crucial. Here at octaDev, we regularly update our courses to reflect the latest advancements in technology. Subscribing to newsletters from tech platforms like ours, joining relevant social media groups, and following industry leaders can also help you stay informed about what’s new, and high-income tech skills to learn. 

Knowing current trends will not only make you more marketable but also help you identify emerging opportunities in the tech sector.

7. Gain practical experience through internships

Internships provide invaluable practical experience and can be a stepping stone to a full-time position. To help newbies get started with tech the easy way, we will create various avenues for internship programs so that interested persons can leverage such opportunities to draw closer and harness the power of tech. 

Internships allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world settings, work on live projects, and learn from experienced professionals. Even unpaid internships can be worthwhile for the experience and networking opportunities they provide to freshmen and women.

8. Learn soft skills

While technical skills are vital, soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are equally important. We also offer courses and free resources focused on developing these skills. 

Effective communication is crucial when working in teams or explaining technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Developing these soft skills can set you apart from other candidates and can extraordinarily enhance your professional profile.

9. Contribute to open-source projects

Contributing to open-source projects is an excellent way to gain experience, improve your coding skills, and build your reputation in the tech community. You can sign up on GitHub and look for projects within your niche so you can make contributions to enhance its functionalities. We also have resources on our blog to help you get started with open-source contributions. By participating in these projects, you can demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively, understand large codebases, and solve real-world problems. Your contributions can also serve as a portfolio piece to show potential employers.

10. Prepare thoroughly for interviews

In your journey to switch to a career in tech, interviews become part of the required processes in most cases. You will need to prove that you know what you are made of by attempting questions thrown at you in the best way can, to convince your employer to be.

The mistake most people make is waiting until they receive the invitation for an interview before they start getting ready.  It doesn’t matter whether you want to apply for a job anytime soon, or not. It is pertinent to start learning common interview questions, mock interviews, and tips on how to present yourself effectively. 

Focus on both technical and behavioral interview questions. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, as this is often as important as finding the correct solution. Being well-prepared can significantly increase your chances of success.

FAQs

Conclusion

Knowing that it is possible to get into the tech industry with no experience by learning from experts, and the possibility to get into the tech industry without a degree, all makes everything about the tech industry very fascinating. Now that you have all the tips required to take your first step into the tech niche, feel free to start trying out the guides provided in this article and give yourself at least three to six months to find your stand and blossom.

Feel free to share your tech journey inspirational and challenging stories with us using the comment box below and we will be more than happy to reply to you.

We wish you the very best in your tech journey.