Tech Is Trending, But Here’s What It Really Takes as a Career Switcher

When I decided to pursue a career in tech, I honestly couldn’t tell you what I expected to be the hardest part. What I can say is it’s taught me a lot more than how to write code. I’ve learned about discipline, believing in myself and staying committed when self-doubt tried to seep in.

I’m sure we all saw tech become the next big thing or dare I say a ‘trend’. It’s often framed as accessible, flexible, full of opportunity and while those things can be true, what’s missing from the discussion is how much work and mental discipline it actually takes. 

The real challenge was learning how to sit with the discomfort of not quite grasping the concepts as seamlessly as I hoped and staying consistent when there are no guarantees at the end. As I prepare to start my first tech role, I wanted to reflect honestly on what this transition has really been like especially for anyone considering a similar leap.

Beyond the Glitz and Glam

There’s no denying that moving into tech is a popular path, and it’s trendy for a reason. You hear stories of people switching careers, learning to code, and landing roles that sound almost effortless from the outside looking in. There’s opportunities, and lots of room for people from non-traditional backgrounds but the idea that it’s an easy or quick transition is high-key misleading. 

Learning to code requires focus, repetition, and patience because concepts won’t always click straight away. No one’s going to make you practise or tell you what to do next. There will be moments where the excitement wears off or progress feels slow, and without structure or accountability, it’s easy to fall behind or quietly give up. 

That reality strengthened my discipline and I had to decide daily that this career switch mattered enough to keep going even when it felt like I just wasn’t getting it.

Learning How to Learn Again

If you read my last blog you’ll know I took the Code First Girls bootcamp route which was absolutely intense. Learning an entirely new language in a compressed timeframe forced me to rethink how I study, manage my time, and ask for help especially coming from a non-technical background. 

I had to stop being hard on myself and accept that in this lane, you gain clarity with repeated exposure and not instantly. That meant revisiting concepts that didn’t stick the first or second time. It taught me humility and patience. I also had to be honest with myself about maths. It’s never been my strongest subject, and at my big age, deciding to invest in additional math classes feels as daunting as it is necessary but I can’t skip the basics.

The Quiet Battle of Imposter Syndrome

Sitting in classes with people who seemed more confident, technical, or more fluent in the language made me question whether I truly belonged there and I frequently caught myself thinking, everyone else gets this… why don’t I?

Imposter syndrome popped up quietly in form of comparison, self-doubt, and in the temptation to downplay my progress. I had to remind myself that I wasn’t behind, I was just new to the scene and asking lots of questions wasn’t a weakness, but proof I was engaged and willing to grow.

Commitment Over Comfort

This time last year, I felt a little lost but almost certain that I was done with digital marketing. I didn’t transition slowly because I knew myself well enough to know that approach wouldn’t work for me. So I committed fully to the switch, knowing there was a chance I’d be unemployed for a while and unsure of where it would lead.

This won’t be the right approach for everyone, but for me, I couldn’t do “one foot in, one foot out”. I knew I was done with my digital marketing career, and once I made the decision to pivot, I was determined not to look back no matter how long it took.

Taking the Leap

Stepping into a new industry with zero experience required trusting that things would work out even when the outcome wasn’t clear. Because of my faith, I trusted that God wouldn’t leave me stranded and was working everything out for my good, all in His perfect time. 

Less than a year later, I’m preparing to start my first software engineering role. In March last year, I was buying the Codecademy Full Stack coding course. By September, I’d fully committed by starting the Code First Girls degree. Here I am in January 2026 about to launch my career in tech. Looking back now, it’s hard not to pause in disbelief at how quickly life can shift when you decide to move in faith.

Looking Ahead

Pivoting into tech has given me resilience, curiosity, and a much deeper respect for my fellow career switchers. Growth doesn’t feel comfortable while it’s happening and sometimes you just have to take the leap and trust that clarity might come after you commit. In faith terms, obey, trust God and He’ll take care of the rest.

I’m still learning and in this industry I expect I always will be, but I no longer underestimate what’s possible when you decide to have faith, fully back yourself and put in the work. You don’t need certainty to start, you just need the courage, passion and faith to go for it.