Top 4 considerations when making a career change into technology

As the technology sector continues to expand, technology hiring managers are increasingly looking for people from non-technology backgrounds to meet the changing needs of the industry.

Professionals with experience outside technical technology roles are now presented with exciting opportunities to change careers and move into a dynamic and evolving industry.  

"With companies in the Philippines looking to digitalise, and technology changing at such a rapid rate, there have been many new exciting roles and opportunities created in the field of IT,” says Andrea Dela Casa, manager for Tech & Transformation division. 

“Some of these fields where non-IT professionals can potentially move into include functional roles such as business analysis, IT relationship management, data analytics, and IT sales roles. Domain knowledge of certain industries will prove an asset as it means that you can speak the language of your stakeholders and business sponsors.” 

Key considerations
 

1. Your talents and interests

First and foremost, think about where your talents lie and what area of technology will keep you most engaged.

Do you like engaging with stakeholders often? Are you a technical person? Do you enjoy methodical tasks or rapidly changing environments?

Technology lends itself to a wide range of professions and specialisms, from design roles all the way through to data security. Things you should consider include:

• The area of technology you are most passionate about 
• Your current skill set
• The type of organisation you would like to work in
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2. Training

Although you will need a preliminary background in using technology, not having a specific IT qualification should not be a barrier.

Businesses and training colleges offer many training options which can help you make the switch. A common avenue for people to gain a qualification in technology is to undertake a master’s degree, despite having transitioned from another initial line of study.

3. Marketing your non-technology skills

Moving into technology from another profession is often viewed favourably by potential employers, particularly if you’ve had the chance to build up valuable skills which are relatively rare in the technology profession.

This may change across different businesses, but some of the most commonly cited examples include business partnering, project coordination and communication skills.

4. Social media and networking

When you have your qualifications and you’re clear about the area of technology you would like to move in to, networking is the next step.

Make sure you maximise your existing connections as well as increase your engagement in professional associations and social media. This could be the key influencing factor to get you into your new role.