suKTech24

How to Land Your First Tech Role

By suktech24, written on Sun 15 Sep 2024, Estimated reading time : 10 – 12 mins

Landing your first tech job—whether in front-end development, back-end development, DevOps, Data Analytics, or Cybersecurity—can be incredibly challenging. During my own career transition, securing my first internship role was one of the toughest challenges I have encountered. As someone new to the tech field, I encountered numerous obstacles along the way – not being to solve coding challenges, failing to live debug, etc. Based on the challenges I faced and the lessons I learned, I’ve compiled 10 tips to help others on a similar path. Whether you’re a computer science or IT student, a career changer, someone re-entering the workforce, or a skilled migrant, these tips are designed to guide you through your job search. No matter your background or career stage, I hope these actionable tips will help you navigate your journey toward landing your first role in tech.

1. Build Your Portfolio on GitHub

A well-maintained GitHub portfolio is crucial for showcasing your skills and projects.

  • Start Personal Projects: Begin by building small, meaningful projects that align with your desired role.
    • For instance, if you’re interested in cybersecurity, you might focus on cybersecurity related topics and write scripts for threat detection.
    • If you want to get into a backend java developer role, you could start with designing and implementing server-side applications or develop REST APIs along with well documentation.
    • If you are after junior devops engineer, start with a simple docker project. Starting small is the key.
  • Contribute to Open Source: Engaging with open-source projects is a great way to gain experience and showcase your knowledge and skills. Platforms such as First Contributions (https://firstcontributions.github.io/) and GitHub’s good first issues list are excellent resources for finding beginner-friendly projects. You will learn about Git, and how to create a good PR using the template the project has provided. Go through the projects and pick the one that interest you the most and pick the one where you know basics of the language the project uses.

2. Use Learning Resources to Build Your Skills

2.1. Roadmaps and relevant links

Structured learning paths can help you develop the skills and give you direction. When I first started in my journey, I was recommended this roadmap.sh link. It gave me direction on what I should focus on both short and long terms.

2.2. Additional Resources for different career stages

3. Join Local and Global Tech Meetups

Networking is essential for finding job opportunities and building connections with professionals in the tech industry.

4. Apply for Internship Programs

In every city, whether in Australia or other countries, there are websites that list internships and entry-level roles. Find out what those sites are.

5. Share your learning

  • Write Tech Blogs: Share your experiences and insights through blogs on Medium – https://medium.com/ or your personal website. This showcases your ongoing learning and expertise.

6. Attend Industry Conferences

Conferences/workshops provide learning opportunities, the latest technologies, industry insights, and also networking opportunities. Some conferences provide scholarships and financial aid, making them accessible for individuals who otherwise, might not have the opportunity to attend.

7. Job search

Having a LinkedIn profile can enhance your job search.

  • Use a professional photo and write a summary highlighting your technical skills and experiences. Include relevant certifications e.g. AWS, Azure, Kubernetes, Terraform , Comptia Security Plus, etc., projects
  • Follow tech blogs, engage in discussion, and share your learning experience

In addition to LinkedIn jobs, you can also use other job websites

8. Mentorship Programs

Mentorship can provide valuable guidance and support especially when you are starting in the tech field. Find out what mentorship programs are available in your local area.

9. Tips for Migrants in a New City

Some of you might be migrants in a new country or city. With that, it brings a whole new set of unique challenges. Below are some tips to help you adjust:

10. Embrace the Challenge and Take Care of Yourself

Starting an internship during undergraduate university studies or starting fresh in a new city as a skilled migrant or transitioning into tech from a completely different field can be both exciting and challenging. Below are the practices I found useful when I transitioned into the tech field.

  • It TAKES time: Adapting to a new environment and finding the right role will not happen overnight. Be patient and recognize that progress is still progress.
  • Take regular breaks for self-care: The job search process can be exhausting. For everything there is a season. Just like the seasons, job searching in the tech industry requires both effort and rest. The “summer” of your journey is filled with study and practice, where you work hard to grow your programming technical skills, build your GitHub portfolios, while the “winter” represents the necessary periods of rest and reflection on your progress, allowing you to recharge and prepare for the next phase. Make sure you plan, follow through, and reflect your progress. Before you start your next cycle, take time out to rest and do other things that bring you joy. Taking regular breaks is also key to success in tech industry or any industry in general.
  • Plan your finances: Ensure you have a financial plan to cover living expenses and unexpected costs while transitioning into the tech industry. If you don’t have enough savings, keep your current role and study before or after work and save up. Having a financial cushion is crucial.
  • Have a plan B: If securing a tech role takes time, consider other job options to stay financially stable. Research the local job market for temporary roles and opportunities that can support you while you continue your tech job search.
  • Cultivate a growth mindset: View each challenge as an opportunity for growth. Even if you don’t land a job straight away, every experience, interview, and connection helps you move closer to your goal. Embrace feedback and remain open to new opportunities.
  • Address imposter syndrome: It’s common to feel like you don’t belong, especially when transitioning into tech. We all start somewhere, and your unique perspective is valuable.
  • Build your support network : Staying motivated while job hunting is a challenging journey. When I first started my career-changing journey, I met with others who were going through the same challenges. Thanks to their encouraging/emotional support, and mentorship, I am where I am today. I am now in a position to give some tips/advice to those who are starting to get into the tech field/land their first role. Therefore, my tip is to connect with like-minded others who go through a similar journey as yours, seek support from mentors or peer groups, and regularly acknowledge achievements at every step.
  • Soft skills are also crucial: Practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. We do not code straight away, we first brainstorm and synthesize our ideas and logic. Being coachable, problem-solving, adapting, working effectively as a team member, and constructively solving conflict are also skills needed.

Summary

I hope that you find the blog post useful and. Below are 10 key summary tips to successfully land your first tech job:

  • Build a GitHub portfolio – Start small projects and contribute to open-source projects for experience.
  • Follow structured learning paths – Utilize resources like Roadmap.sh and other roadmap learning paths to stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
  • Join tech meetups – Network locally via platforms like meetup, eventbrite, workshops and conferences.
  • Internships/Entry level role applications – Apply for internships through platforms like GradConnection and Outreachy.
  • Write and share blogs – Showcase your learning by writing blogs on platforms like Medium or your own blogs or GitHub
  • Attend industry conferences – Participate in events like Kubernetes Community Days, PyCon for hands-on learning
  • Create LinkedIn profile – Build a strong profile and use platforms like Women Who Code Jobs and other job portals in addition to LinkedIn Jobs
  • Find mentors – Join mentorship programs to get career guidance and support.
  • Tips for migrants – Research local job markets, learn the language, and connect with tech communities.
  • Take care of your well-being – Maintain a balanced lifestyle while job hunting/learning/practicing.

Stay persistent, embrace continuous learning, and don’t be afraid to showcase your unique journey. With determination and the right strategies, you can successfully transition into a rewarding tech career of your choice, regardless of your starting point. Thank you for reading my blog post.😊

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