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How to effectively manage transition to computing?

Hi,
As a student of a conversion master's degree in Computing, I am struggling to understand how to plan the transition in my career efficiently. I would appreciate advise in the topic. I studied Business for my bachelor's degree and have two years of work experience in global marketing, now aiming to transition to software engineering with end-goal of becoming a product manager. What are the best steps to take now to ensure a smooth career transition?

Thank you!
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Mickael’s Answer

Hi Olivia,

This is a hard question because I think the answer is "it depends on the company that will hire you".

I believe one thing you are going to miss is the experience that other had in their career that you won't. So you will need to catch up, somewhat, this gap.
Reading about common software mistakes, practicing on your own by coding your own projects will help. Also, after this, your expectations as your first job as a software developer, before becoming a manager should not be as high as expecting an offer from business since you will be considered all new.

I am not sure how I can help more, but if you do have specific follow up questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you comment icon Hi Mickael, your answer actually helps me the most. I am currently studying Computing at Imperial College London and working part time in data analytics. Most difficult is lowering my expectations when entering a software world, potentially I might even have to become an intern to be able to get started in the software world, which would not be the case for any business roles with my experience. Downgrading on remuneration and on conditions is painful. But I really do enjoy what I do now a 100 times more than I did in my last marketing job, which makes me hope that eventually, this will be worth it. Thank you! Olivia
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Justyn’s Answer

Okay, so the great thing about learning today, is you can self-learn your way into gaining the required technical skills. Many organisations will recruit based on technical aptitude rather than directly as a result of your degree. Learning platforms like Udemy can give those core skills required to secure an initial role, and once within an organisation, it should be easier to transition to a product manager. A product manager will typically have some great domain knowledge in a specific area, and depending on the type of PM you want to be, the technical core knowledge will help you get a foothold.

Justyn recommends the following next steps:

Sign up for online learning for your chosen technologies
Show products/code repos/personal projects that highlight your potential
Dont be afraid to approach organisations and ask.
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Peter’s Answer

it is interesting challenges you have, however, the path to get there is really depends on what your timelines. If you only thinking of marketing side of the product, then understand the technical aspect and competitions would be good enough. However, if you think you want to understand the nuts and bolts of the product in order to sell it, then it will take longer. I have met many product managers that do not understand their products in depth but they understand their product position and their strength (both technical and cost), so they are ok. Once in a while, I have someone who knows their product inside and out and their position, then they usually get more favor impression from me.
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John’s Answer

Hi there - I would be tempted to round out your computer sci/tech skills with some industry recognised badges/credentials - IBM has some super free ones - they can be found in IBM Skills Build

Id be tempted to take the Getting Started with ... badges under Capstone - (link in the Next Steps) as well as Introduction to Generative AI in Action badge - links in Next Steps

John recommends the following next steps:

Links to Skills Build - https://www.ibm.com/academic/topic/capstone
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Emilie’s Answer

I wouldn't worry too much about a technical gap - you don't need to be a software developer to become a good product manager. I would start looking for opportunities in your current job to get closer to product. For example you could get a mentor in the product team or shadow the product team calls. Could you potentially get involved in writing product competitive analysis and share around in your current company? If you are not working currently then you could start looking for junior product marketing management role (ideally in a smallish company so that the gap between PMM and PM is not too wide) or PM assistant/project manager and then climb the ladder. Hope that helps.
I wish you all the best !
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Jessica’s Answer

Hi!

I agree that you'll want to close the technical gaps you have in any way. How you do so, depends on what type of computing you want to get into as there are many subsets of the field. Once you narrow it down, look at certifications, boot camps or even volunteering your time to small companies and non-profits to help get the hands-on experience!
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Max’s Answer

Hi Olivia,

I studied Geography as an undergraduate and then did a Comp Sci conversion masters. It would be interesting to hear about your motivations of making the change. For me it wasn't that I hated Geography and wanted to forget everything about it, I just found that CS gave me the skills to build things, which I enjoyed. One of the first real-world projects I got to do involved a Google Maps integration which was perfect for me. The most powerful thing you can do is to combine your experiences and market this to future employers. Don't think of it as a transition but rather as a progression and continuation of your skill set. You are building on your experience of business and marketing with technology - this is a killer combo, make a point of it in interviews! And if your interviewer can't see the value, maybe they aren't right for you. I think the hardest thing as a CS conversion candidate is you may not have as many technical projects to showcase - so this might be an area you could work on. I found technical interviews quite hard. But there are now many resources online to help practice for tech interview questions which I wish I had found back then.

In terms of finding your first job, I do agree that keeping an open mind is the best thing you can do. Absolutely identify some target companies you think you would like to work for, but there may be many that you haven't thought of or heard of that could be just as good. I actually put my CV up onto job sites and it got picked up by generalised recruiters who helped me find tech related jobs and openings that weren't on my radar. For example, I started out working in-house for a fashion brand, working on their IT systems. From that I got my foot it, and they invested in my skilling up and I gained work experience, that opened the next door and opportunity and step by step you can reach your long term goals.

Best of luck!
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