Dreaming about a Career in Tech? 10 Questions to Ask Yourself before Quitting your Job

If you are not in tech already, the grass looks greener on the other side. Jobs in tech are plentiful, pay well, offer flexibility and some even the possibility to work remotely. Do you want to leave your job and jump into the tech bandwagon? Here are some questions to help you decide if this is the right move for you.

How long can you live without a salary?

This can sound scary, but it goes hand in hand with studying full time. To learn quickly you may want to devote all your time to studying, and for that, you will need a savings mattress to support you. Do you have enough savings to support yourself while you study full time?

Are you able to study full time?

If you take studying as a job, chances are you will reach your goals faster. Imagine all you can learn if you study eight or ten hours a day. Whether you decide to study solo, do a bootcamp or go to university, you will need to spend many hours studying.

Are you willing to study part time?

Quitting your job to become a full time student may not be an option. In that case, are you willing to sacrifice your free time in order to study? Think about how you feel after a day of work. Imagine getting home, tired. Can you see yourself sitting down in front of the computer to spend a good few hours studying? If you are single, this can be easier. But when you have a family, the challenge is bigger. Think about this carefully, be aware of what you can control and what you can’t, to avoid frustration.

Are you willing to make less money than in your previous job?

It is well-known that salaries in IT are high.? However, it might be the case that in your current job you have a very good salary, and then, when you start working in tech, you start in a junior position with an entry salary. It can go up, of course, but at the beginning, it can be a downgrade for you. This is something to keep in mind.

How long will it take you to start earning good money in your new job?

So, let’s say you start as a junior developer, but you aim at having the salary of a senior developer. How long would that take? How long would it take you to go from junior to senior, thus, see the increase you want in your salary?

Do you have the level of English needed to find a job overseas?

In fact, whether you work for a company in your country or abroad, you will have to use English in your job. Anyway, what’s really going to make a difference in your salary is the ability to work for a country that pays in dollars, which are English-speaking countries, and for that, you need to be able to communicate well in English.?

Are you ready to start networking actively??

Networking is key when it comes to finding a job in tech. The more people you know, the more opportunities you will get. Take networking seriously, and start early.? Say, for example, that in six months you will? finish your studies or will look for a new job. If you already have a network, you will be a step ahead than most people who are also working towards getting their first job in tech, but have no network.

Are you ready to overcome rejection and frustration?

Know this in advance: you are going to get rejected. It’s part of the experience of looking for a job when you don’t have expertise in the industry. But don’t take it personally, take rejections as opportunities to learn and build resilience. What can you do better next time??

What job in the tech industry should you consider?

The first profession that may come to your mind is software developer, but there are many others worth thinking about: data scientist, cloud infrastructure architect, cloud engineer, AI engineer, UI designer, among many others. Read about different jobs in tech to discover which one better suits your interests and natural abilities.?

Should you really make a drastic career change? Or should you reinvent your career in the same industry?

Maybe what happens is that you are tired of your job, your company, the working conditions, the salary, the commute or even your boss. Maybe, you are having a hard time at work, and this makes you think the job is the problem, when in fact it may be something else.?

Maybe you like the industry you are working in, but you are bored of doing the same job again and again. You would probably thrive in a different job in the same industry, in a different company, with a better salary, working conditions and commute (or maybe no commute at all, if you’d like to work from home).

Be honest with yourself. Discover the root of your desire to leave your job to pursue a career in tech. It is a steep road, so make sure it is what you really want to do. If working in tech is what you want, keep in mind that the road is steep, and don’t give up. It can be scary to leave everything behind, but making your dreams come true is totally worth it. It is better to die trying, than to never try at all.??