Many people dismiss the opportunity of a career change because they underestimate the qualities and skills they have to offer. However, at a point where IT skills shortages are a growing issue within the UK, now is the time to know your qualities, assess your goals and jump at the opportunities.
If you’re considering a career change, simply follow the tips below and make your move;
This is exactly what Swansea-based Stewart Smith did who is now working as a Junior Software Developer.
Originally an Engineer, Stewart contacted Acorn for advice on a career in IT. He had no IT qualifications or professional experience but decided he would be best placed within the IT sector. Straight away we were inspired by his energy, enthusiasm and determination to make it within this complicated field, and we were even more impressed by his preparation to kick-start this career change.
Once Stewart made the choice to join the IT sector, he spent hours every day researching and learning about the industry, and had a clear view of what he wanted when we met him. The determination Stewart showed is something that we believe all candidates need to illustrate in a very tough employment market.
With the rise of online courses, and particularly within the IT sector with tech meetups and hackathons, there is now an unbelievable platform to build skills outside the working environment. People such as Stewart have the opportunity to gain skills, opinions and experiences that five-years ago never existed. With hard work and sheer commitment, candidates can reap the rewards of fantastic salaries, increased technology exposure and untapped career opportunities.
Referencing his change of career, Stewart Smith said:
“I always knew I was a techy at heart and I began to realise in the last two years that I was progressing into a career that had minimal opportunities. I realised I needed to make a change quickly. My childhood and even parts of my physics degree, involved playing with computers – whether it was games or brief experiences with programming languages so I knew I had a chance if I just applied myself.
“Acorn provided me with a fantastic opportunity that I was determined not to miss so I did everything in my own time to make sure I was prepared and capable of succeeding. When Acorn called to say that they had a client that was willing to interview me, I didn’t look back and spent the next four days teaching myself the required spec technologies.
Whether you’ve just started your career, or are twenty years in, don’t ever look back and wonder what if – make the change today.