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Switching to a tech career: first 30 days

Pick one direction, learn every day, build something small and talk to real people before you spend money.

23 items · 5 sections · study, career, tech, programming

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Week 1: choose a direction (6)

  • Write down why you want to switch and what you need to earn
  • Read 20 job ads in your city or remoteNote the skills that show up again and again.
  • Compare 3 rolesFor example frontend, data analyst, QA, IT support or product.
  • Talk to 2 people who do that jobAsk what a normal week looks like.
  • Pick one role for the next 30 days
  • List what carries over from your current workDomain knowledge is an advantage, not a thing to hide.

Week 2: build the habit (5)

  • Choose one free course and stick to itDo not collect courses.
  • Block 1 hour a day, at the same time
  • Set up your tools: editor, Git and a GitHub account
  • Keep a short log of what you learned each day
  • Do not buy a paid bootcamp yetSee if you still enjoy it after 30 days.

Week 3: build something small (4)

  • Pick a small problem from your current job or your life
  • Build the smallest version that works
  • Put it online with a short README
  • Ask someone in the field to review it

Week 4: start being visible (4)

  • Rewrite your LinkedIn headline toward the new role
  • Join one local or online community and answer a question
  • Message 5 people for short chats, not for jobs
  • Try one real sample task from a job ad

Day 30: decide (4)

  • Add up the hours you actually did
  • Ask yourself: did I enjoy the hard parts?
  • Work out your money runway before leaving your jobA common target is 6 months of expenses. The switch can take longer than you expect.
  • Set the plan for the next 90 days, or pick another role

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