Practical advice and real‑life stories from employees who’ve moved into tech careers at different points in their lives.
Many who consider starting a career in tech or are thinking about changing to a career in tech often assume it’s too late or not for someone like them. Tech can indeed look intimidating from the outside, especially if your CV doesn’t include a computer science degree or you’re switching from a completely different field.
But here’s the truth: there’s no single path into tech, and the industry thrives because of that. Many of our team came to their tech careers through unconventional routes. So, whether you’re returning to work, pivoting from another industry, or just starting out, here are ten practical tips to help you break into tech, backed by real-world insights from team members Rachael, Priyanka and Lynsey.
1. Recognise That Tech Is for Everyone
Let’s bust a myth right out of the gate: you don’t need to be a maths genius or lifelong coder to work in tech. The field is broad and multidisciplinary. Designers, problem solvers, communicators, and analysts all play key roles. Tech has space for a wide range of backgrounds, and your existing skills might be more relevant than you think.
“Tech is a broad and evolving field, and there’s space for a wide range of backgrounds, not just traditional computer science degrees. Many of the skills women bring from other industries include communication, problem-solving, creativity, empathy, project management which are not only transferable, but they’re also essential in tech, especially in areas like product design and product management.”
Rachael, Senior Product Designer
“Many individuals in tech come from diverse backgrounds and do not always have traditional qualifications, so it’s essential to embrace your unique experiences and skills. Building confidence in your potential is the first step toward success.”
Priyanka, Principal Software Engineer
“There are many routes into tech careers and lots of the skills gained in other industries will be equally as valuable if changing your career into this industry. You might want to consider an apprenticeship or a conversion course, or look at the alternative routes into a tech company such as consulting and management”
Lynsey, Director of Operations
2. Start With What Interests You
Do you love design, building things, helping people, or solving problems? There’s a tech role for that.
Spend some time exploring fields like UX design, cybersecurity, data analysis, software engineering, or product management. The more you understand about what’s out there, the easier it’ll be to find your fit.
Tool tip: Use free coding platforms to get a feel for different areas -Codecademy, freeCodeCamp or Coursera are good places to start.
3. Embrace Lifelong Learning
Tech changes fast, and that’s part of the fun. You don’t need to know everything upfront; you just need to stay curious and be willing to learn as you go. We believe a willingness to learn and openness to growth are far more valuable than ticking off every skill on a job description.
“You don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers, what you do need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and the confidence to take that first step.”
Rachael, Senior Product Designer
“One of the most valuable lessons I've learned on my career journey is the importance of maintaining a continuous learning mindset. Embrace new opportunities and don’t let fear hold you back—every challenge is a chance to grow.”
Priyanka, Principal Software Engineer
4. Attend Meetups, Webinars and Events
One of our top tips is to get involved in the tech community. Whether you’re asking questions in a beginner coding group or attending an event in your city, you’ll find knowledge and encouragement. Try platforms like Meetup.com, Eventbrite, or LinkedIn groups to discover what’s happening near you.
“Engage with communities through local meetups, online forums, and social media to gain encouragement, mentorship, and valuable industry insights.”
Priyanka, Principal Software Engineer
5. Find a Mentor (Or Be Bold Enough to Ask for One)
Mentors can help you see what’s possible and avoid common pitfalls. Priyanka shared that while she didn’t start her career with a mentor, she can see the difference one has made in her confidence and growth.
Seek out mentors through company programmes, community groups, or alumni, especially those who've navigated similar transitions. A mentor can help you translate your current experience into tech language, suggest learning paths, or simply offer encouragement on hard days.
“Mentors and role models have played a huge role in shaping my career. On a personal level, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who’ve really shaped my journey… Having that mentorship has greatly supported my growth, enabling me to develop confidence as both a designer and a problem solver.”
Rachael, Senior Product Designer
“Mentors and role models have been crucial in optimising my career by providing essential guidance and support, helping me navigate the complexities of the tech industry.”
Priyanka, Principal Software Engineer
“Mentors are very important to me and have definitely played a big part in my career as I have moved through various roles in Liberty IT.”
Lynsey, Director of Operations
6. Explore Alternative Entry Routes
You don’t need to go back to university to start over. Lynsey highlights how valuable career conversion courses, apprenticeships, and consultancy roles can be. Look into bootcamps, returner programmes, our TechStart programme, or even entry-level roles that include training. The key is getting in, not getting in perfectly.
“There are many routes into tech careers and lots of the skills gained in other industries will be equally as valuable if changing your career into this industry. You might want to consider an apprenticeship or a conversion course, or look at the alternative routes into a tech company such as consulting and management.”
Lynsey, Director of Operations
7. Build a Portfolio (Even Without a Tech Job)
If you’re interested in development, UX design or data science, start building a portfolio. It doesn’t have to be big or impressive - just real.
Create small projects that solve a problem, showcase your thinking, or improve something you care about. You’ll learn along the way and have something to show for it.
8. Translate Your Past Experience
Whether you’ve worked in hospitality, education, the arts, or finance, you have transferable skills. Leadership, communication, creativity, problem-solving, empathy — these all matter in tech.
Think about how you’ve handled challenges, worked in teams, or led projects. You might be more “tech-ready” than you realise.
9. Be Prepared for Imposter Syndrome And Don’t Let It Stop You
Everyone feels like an outsider at first, especially those who are career changers or women entering male-dominated industries. Rachael, Priyanka and Lynsey all acknowledged moments of uncertainty in their journeys, but they also remind us that growth rarely feels comfortable at the start.
10. Apply Before You Feel 100% Ready
If you're waiting until you meet every requirement on a job spec, you’ll wait forever. Most people, especially women, don’t apply until they feel 100% qualified. In tech, that hesitation can hold you back.
So apply anyway. The right team will value your attitude and potential just as much as your existing skill set.
You Belong in Tech
Starting a tech career, no matter your background, is entirely possible. At Liberty IT, we’ve seen it again and again: from graphic designers to consultants, apprentices to returners, the industry is richer for every unique path into it.
As Lynsey puts it, “There are multiple ways in. Tech is not one-size-fits-all — and that’s a strength.” Check out our career opportunities – we’d love to hear from you!
Read the full stories here:
Discover more engaging interviews with our employees to learn how they began their careers in tech:
Innovation roles: Claire, Director of Engineering, talks about how a technical background isn’t necessarily needed
Data science roles: Patrick talks about the skills required to start a career as a data scientist
Data science: Dan talks about his journey and what made him pursue a career in tech
Solution engineer roles: Michael shares how he started his career in IT
Software engineer roles: Chris talks about his previous roles, including that of theatrical performer and how he moved to software development.
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