I’m thinking about switching careers and getting into tech. Do I need another degree?

While some of your skills may be transferable to the tech industry, you may also need additional training.jacoblund/Getty Images

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Ask Women and Work

Question: After working in the public sector for nearly 10 years, I’m considering a career change to a space outside of my wheelhouse: tech. I feel it would allow me more flexibility on where I work (city/country) and how I work (remote vs. in-office). Plus, I know the industry is underrepresented when it comes to women and I wonder if it might give me a leg up. Is it possible to transition to the tech industry without getting another degree?

We asked Kimberly Simon, vice-president, partnerships and alliances, ControlCase, to tackle this one:

It’s absolutely possible. Transitioning to a career in tech does not require another degree, but it does require that you do some planning.

Three steps are key. The first is to think about what you want to do in tech and get clear about the kind of job you want. There are two types of roles to consider: technical roles like coding and ethical hacking, and non-technical roles like project management and helping customers. Your transition to tech may simply involve doing the same type of role you are doing now, be it HR or marketing or communications, just in a growing tech company.

Do some research about the job you want. What does a typical work week would look like in that role? Reach out to people who are doing it; you’ll find that a lot of people are happy to share. Once you choose the path you want to pursue, it has to excite you, because it’s not an easy thing to transition. That should keep you motivated as you move forward.

The next step is to boost your confidence by upping your skills. Some of your skills may be transferable, but you will likely have to invest some time into learning new ones. You may need to take a project management course or Salesforce training. Dedicate that time, energy and resources into filling your knowledge gaps. LinkedIn has free courses if you have a paid LinkedIn membership. Organizations like ISACA offer paid courses, which will cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. You can also take courses from a reputable university or college.

The final thing you need to do is build your profile and brand. Take what you did in steps one and two – the research into the job you want and the new skills you’ve gained – and put that into your resumé and on LinkedIn. It’s about switching the conversation and highlighting your strengths in relation to that job you want.

Establish yourself as a knowledgeable professional. Start posting stories related to the industry you want to join. Connect with people on social media who are working in tech. Over time, this can attract followers and recruiters. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll be better prepared to confidently go into an interview in your new industry. Attend industry events and make connections there. Women make up only 30 per cent of the people working in the tech world. This creates a unique opportunity to join the field because a lot of employers are looking to diversify their teams.

Research shows that women don’t get into IT because of imposter syndrome. Silence that voice that is telling you that you cannot do it and make a plan. I think what people need to remember is tech companies value smart and creative people. We don’t care where you’re coming from. If you’re smart and creative and if you’re willing to do the work, you can do well, very fast.

Submit your own questions to Ask Women and Work by e-mailing us at GWC@globeandmail.com.

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“I wasn’t sure, as a young woman, how I would actually be able to contribute,” she says.

That changed when Ms. Zhou joined the 2020 cohort of Girls on Boards, an initiative facilitated by non-profit organization Fora: Network for Change.

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