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The Truth About The Tech Transition

By Micah Emem Essien

24 October 2021   |   9:00 am

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“It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are.” -  Clive James “There is money in tech”. This is by far the major motivation these days. Anyone giving it a go at the tech industry is majorly doing so because of the money that can be made. This is…

Paystack Founders, Ezra Olubi and Shola Akinlade | LinkedIn

“It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are.” –

 Clive James

“There is money in tech”. This is by far the major motivation these days. Anyone giving it a go at the tech industry is majorly doing so because of the money that can be made. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as we all have the need to justifiably make more money to aid expenses and responsibilities, but many do so with the facade that it was easy for their friends and they are making the big bucks in just 2 – 3 years, or months, so they can too. 

A lot of overachievers want to be unicorns so fast, they fail to know and understand what it really takes to be in the tech industry. So, if you’re thinking about becoming a techie, or joining the tech industry, here are a few things to keep you grounded.

Figure It Out On Your Own 

The first and most important thing to know is to find your own way. The tech industry, like every industry, is very welcoming. As long as you have the desired skills – soft and hard, chances of you making it are very high. But you would have to figure out what works for you first. There are so many areas in the tech world that many do not know also involve non-technical skills. A deeper understanding of the tech industry as a whole is very beneficial to you finding your way because to know one is to be familiar with all. The tech industry is just like the government “industry”. There are so many arms, facets, ministries, and all with one goal- to better the nation. Everyone has a part to play, and each knows who and what should be the next step. Everyone knows their roles. Do not let what you studied be a deterrent. You’ll be surprised at just how necessary it turns out to be in a way. So, rule number one, find your way, there really is room for everyone, look beyond what you actually know, determine what would be better suited for you and soar with it.

Read, Read And Be Ready To Keep Reading 

As with every discipline, you never stop learning; with the tech industry, you never stop reading. There is really no such thing as “know-it-all”. Softwares used has modifications, new apps, and a new set of instructions to follow. The tech industry is ever evolving and not only do you have to know a bit of how it worked many years ago, you have to be ready to accept the changes that happen by the second. You will have to do a lot of reading. It starts with studying medium articles on the pathways and experiences of others in your chosen field, to books on the intellectual and psychological aspects of it. Be ready! You won’t know when you start writing your very own articles, right after putting together case studies for your portfolio. Be ready!

Be Ready To Network

Once you have figured out where your interest lies, the next thing to be ready for is to network and be part of a community. A community that lives, breathes and speaks anything and everything about what you are majoring in in the tech industry. Be it slack workspaces you join, facebook communities or twitter accounts you follow, you cannot shy away from building rapport where it’s needed. You will need it in the tech community. 

What Works For Stack Might Not Work For Wave 

More often than not, the desire to join the tech industry is fueled by the need to be like someone who is in it and stacking. Then you have the desire to shadow that person exactly. No, once you figure out what you want to make your niche, you have to figure out your pathway. Some knew they would be in the industry right after school, others knew they would be in the industry right after seeing how much money could be made.The difference between the two is the kind of passion. One is deeply passionate about it and the other is passionate about how much money could be made. There will be money to be made, but are you ready to work for it? 

Find Your Motivation 

The motivation is what keeps you going when it seems tough. Find it at the very beginning and you will do just fine.