The Ultimate Guide to Changing Your Career
Vincent Benjamin

Not everyone will stay in the career they started with directly out of school. Life circumstances and interests can change over time and lead you into a new direction. Have you thought about becoming a programmer but were afraid that it might be too late to start? It is never too late to make a career change; you just need to know the right way to go about it. Here are a few ways you can start shifting your career path today.

  1. Decide what you like about programming. What gets you excited about a career in programming? Why are you interested in the opportunity? Without answers to these types of questions a change in career may not lead to the satisfaction you’re hoping for in the long term.
  2. Take classes. Learning a variety of programming can help you narrow down the areas where you would like to specialize. Before committing to a degree program, take a few courses at a local technical school to get your feet wet.
  3. Volunteer for open source projects. Once you have the skills at programming it is helpful to have experience to back it up. Since it may be difficult to transition your career professionally right away you may want to look into open source programs where you can volunteer and use this to build your resume.
  4. Make connections and find a mentor. Networking is also an important skill, even for programmers who have a reputation of being behind a computer screen all day. Talk to others who have made the transition and find a mentor. This person can act as a sounding board as you navigate your new career.
  5. Be relentless. Finally, persistence is key when you are transitioning from one career to another. Take classes, volunteer your skills, update your resume and start talking to people who may be in a position to offer you a chance to show what you can do.

Are you interested in a career change? VincentBenjamin has recruiting offices located in theĀ Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Denver areas so contact us today!

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