This document outlines the steps and advice for switching careers to IT. It discusses 5 rounds: 1) learning programming skills through bootcamps and building projects, 2) getting noticed through internships, resume building, and networking, 3) interviewing with confidence and learning from rejections, 4) getting hired and continuing to learn on the job, and 5) advancing in your career through envisioning growth opportunities and updating skills. The overall message is that switching to an IT career is possible with commitment to learning, perseverance through challenges, and continual self-improvement.
3. About Me – 15 Months Ago
BMME – University of Kentucky 2011
Band Director – Huntington Local Schools, Chillicothe, Ohio
Middle School
High School
Marching Band
Pep Band
Recently Married, Recent Homeowner, cat
What happened?
4. I Decided Things Needed To Change
I wanted more
For my family
Career opportunities
Personal growth.
Moolah
What is your why?
Commit to it and strive!
Patience
5. Round 1 - Learn
Decide on a language.
Decide on a bootcamp, site, course(s)
Work to find something that fits you, your finances, your learning style
Put in the time
Projects – in course/external
6. Round 1 - Advice
No excuses allowed
“Read the books”
“How do I learn?”
Have no backup plan (within reason)
Persevere
Strive to be full stack from the start
Find a mentor
Know your OOP Fundamentals
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
7. Round 2 – Get Noticed
Have Realistic Expectations
Any job is a good job
Internships Full Time
Part Time = Resume Building Jobs
Utilize Career Services
Resume Development
Soft skills Development
Get Your Name Out!
Utilize recruiters
8. Round 2 - Advice
Connect professionally
“This is Real”
Passion
Know your craft
Look the part
Take every interview
9. Round 3 - Interviewing
Pre/During
Confidence
Demonstrate your fit professionally & personally
Relax
Post
Self Reflect
Handling rejection
10. Round 3 – Advice
“Do your homework”
Create your own “experience”
Don’t try to be somebody you’re not
Follow up email
11. Round 4 – Get Hired
Keep Learning
Per job requirements
Per internal motivation
Prove It
Set Life Goals
“I made it. I need to stay”
Find your new “why”
Set Work Goals
Work given vs. Self given
12. Round 4 - Advice
Matching then meeting expectations
Ask for help
“You are good enough”
Grind
Flexibility
“Spell it out”
Pace yourself
13. Round 5 – Confidence & Advancement
Envision the future in your current job
Ideal work environment
Team structure
Room for growth within company
Financially
Envision the future in your career path
Can you reach your mid/end goals here?
Can you achieve more somewhere else?
14. Round 5 - Advice
Don’t neglect updating your resume
“You’re worth what somebody pays you”
Maintain professionalism and amiability if leaving
“Do you”
- Determine best way to present my information. This slide, similar setup, new slide?
Add boc, mpw, and Hondros logo pics to slides. Talk up the opportunities offered.
Talking points centered around the “What Happened” and use that to parlay
Add cat pic
The game is experience. If you don’t have experience, you need to get experience, but can’t get a job because you don’t have experience. Make your own experiences!
It will be overwhelming for the first 1-2 months getting acquainted to systems that are massive in comparison to your self projects.