☆*:.｡. How I Broke Into Tech!👩🏻‍💻 .｡.:*☆

Breaking into tech is no easy feat, but it’s not impossible! 💪🏼🔥👩🏻‍💻

Here are four things I did to break into the tech world as an undergrad:

1️⃣ Coursework: When I decided to switch my major to Computer Science in junior year, I realized I had to make major changes to my schedule. Thankfully, because my university allowed us to develop our own path of study, it was easy to switch out one of my other classes for another tech/STEM class (I’d been taking at least one computer science class a semester already). However, I was missing a lot of foundational courses such as statistics and discrete math due to time conflicts on my schedule. So in addition to my undergrad courses, I decided to research external classes on sites like Coursera to fulfill these requirements, should I pursue higher education in my field. After graduating, I decided to pursue these courses to ensure I have the foundations of computer science and data science.

2️⃣ Certifications: When figuring out how to make myself more marketable to recruiters and include viable skills on my resume, I was confused on where to start. I was a broke college student working only a part-time tech job that paid minimum wage and taking classes full-time. I knew I couldn’t afford those premium tech masterclasses or subscriptions offered by some of the world’s top universities. When I was in the process of revamping my LinkedIn page, I discovered LinkedIn Learning. That was where I got my first few certificates about the foundations of data engineering and reviewing basic Python for a low price of FREE.99! From there, I expanded my horizons and utilized other popular certification sites like Coursera (unfortunately, this option costs a bit of money, but thankfully there is financial aid). In a separate post, I will go into detail about the different resources I used to obtain my tech certificates. Having these certificates on my resume helped me to showcase my desire to learn and grow in the tech field aside from having some starting knowledge.

3️⃣ Networking: This is very, VERY important. Coming from a family that does not have ties to the data science industry, it was important for me to make the most of every networking opportunity offered to me through a range of platforms. From connecting with recruiters and industry professionals on LinkedIn to attending in-person tech conferences, these mediums provided me with the chance to understand the various ways one can enter and get involved with data science and technology. I attended my first tech conference in Summer 2023 and connected with a group all about encouraging and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals to pursue careers in various tech sectors. That event helped me connect with many senior professionals and entry level professionals (like myself) and gave me valuable insights into the industry’s landscape. It was inspiring to meet people who shared similar experiences and challenges, but who were also determined to break through barriers. Those connections not only expanded my network but also reinforced the importance of mentorship and community within the tech space. I’ve since kept in touch with several individuals I met, and those relationships have opened doors to new opportunities, job leads, and even collaborations on personal projects (a perfect segue into my final tip).

4️⃣ Projects: My undergraduate studies allowed me to build a tech portfolio by expanding on class projects, showcasing the evolution of my coding skills. For final projects, I made it a point to go beyond the assigned requirements by adding extra features, exploring new technologies, and refining my code outside of class hours. This extra work not only helped me deepen my understanding of the subject matter but also demonstrated my initiative and passion for the field. Once completed, I made sure to showcase these enhanced projects on my LinkedIn, sharing key details about the challenges I faced, the technologies I used, and the impact of the project. This helped build my professional profile and made it easier for potential employers to see my growth and technical abilities.

What are some of your tips for breaking into the tech world? 🌱

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