I’m not sure if my experience is helpful because the industry has changed a lot. I did not have a technology degree but realized I wanted to work at Microsoft. I knew I needed “experience in tech to get in tech.” I took a hardcore telesales job for a small startup. We were abused and threatened with firing everyday if we didn’t make our quota. I had a little background in TV news and strangely that along with having the tech startup on my resume got my foot in the door at Microsoft. Initially I started as a contractor and was able to prove myself and get hired on as a Microsoft employee.
Thank you for sharing this, Celeste. Your experience is absolutely helpful.
You showed what so many people are wrestling with—trying to get into tech without a tech background, navigating toxic environments just to gain a foothold, and still managing to push through. That resilience? That strategy? That’s powerful.
Your story reminds others that sometimes the path isn’t clean—but it’s still valid. And yes, it does help someone out there feel less alone.
Thank you Sara, there is always a way. Sometimes you have to go through the back door, or sneak through a window. I think the biggest thing is being scrappy and using your ingenuity. And even if the result isn’t exactly what you had in mind, it’s often better.
There is always a way, even if it’s not through the front door. What you said about being scrappy and using your ingenuity? That’s the kind of mindset that builds lasting success—because it’s rooted in resilience, not just credentials.
And you’re so right—sometimes the path we didn’t plan for ends up leading somewhere even better. Thank you again for sharing this. It’s the kind of perspective that sticks with people.
Thank you for this! You are speaking right to me. I have been trying to figure out my path into tech. I have been really trying to hone into what I would bring as someone with not only a very different background (retail, recruiting and hospitality) but someone who has been home for 9 years as a SAHM. I'm ready to do what it takes to break in and find my place. I appreciate this so much! Can't wait to keep following you
Thank you so much! Confidence is definitely something I need to work on. I have the drive and the desire to learn and prove myself and am hopeful that will get me in the door.
I have been using ChatGPT to help me discover ideas for roles that align to my strengths, interests, and experience. With a lot of iteration I've discover roles like: on boarding specialists, product operations, user research coordinator, and something I've always been drawn too customer success manager. Any feedback or advice on those roles? I appreciate you so much 💖
You’re doing all the right things—and your self-awareness and willingness to learn will take you far. Confidence comes with action, and from what you’ve shared, you’re already building the momentum.
All the roles you mentioned—onboarding, product ops, user research, customer success—are amazing entry points, especially for someone with a background in people-facing, service-driven work. They require empathy, communication, and adaptability—skills you clearly already have.
If I could offer one tip: lean into storytelling on your resume and LinkedIn. Show how your past experience maps directly to the role you’re targeting. You don’t have to start over—you just have to reframe.
Thank you so much for this. Your words truly moved me.
I just want to say—what you bring matters. Your background in retail, recruiting, and hospitality is filled with transferable skills that many in tech overlook but are so valuable: empathy, communication, people management, adaptability. And as someone who’s been home raising a family? That’s leadership, strategy, and multitasking at its highest level.
You are more ready than you think. I’m so glad this piece resonated, and I’m rooting for you as you take the next step into what’s already yours.
I have been in tech for a while, and there always comes a point where you need to pivot, whether it’s leaning more into technical depth or stepping into leadership. The industry evolves fast, and so do we. Your story captures that moment of choice and courage so well. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always mean starting over, it often means building on who we already are, with more clarity and intention. Thanks Sara.
Thank you so much, Tinashe. Your words deeply resonate.
That reminder that growth isn’t always about starting over, but about building with more clarity and intention, captures exactly what so many of us need to hear. The way you framed pivoting as part of evolving, not erasing, is powerful.
Thank you so much, Shartaya. It really does, skills can be learned, but that drive and curiosity? That’s what keeps you moving even when the path isn’t clear.
I’ve made that industry switch over 4 years back from electronics and electrical to IT and product design without a degree and experience and can relate to your post!
I believe it takes willingness, courage, and trust in yourself to make it with the knowledge and curiosity to learn like a beginner!
I love the way you put this. That willingness to learn like a beginner again, especially after switching industries, takes so much strength. Your journey is a powerful reminder that it’s not about having it all figured out, but about showing up with curiosity and trusting yourself along the way.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so encouraging to hear from fellow travelers who’ve made bold leaps and are still walking with purpose.
Have you been reading my mind? This was exactly what I needed to read. It’s 2am and I’ve just gone to bed, having looked at job adverts and getting discouraged. Unlike you, I did teach myself coding as a child. Like you I have plenty of life experience. I went for the science degree straight out of school. Long story short I ended up without my career I had started the path towards at age 15. For a couple of years I made motherhood my new career, it had a lot more rewards than my previous one. The death of my career seemed to be my chance finally to go into IT, a field I had always thought about but never quite made the leap. A seemingly secure career was not something you just gave up. Until Hyperemesis and then becoming a mother caused me to rethink, and realise that my career as a medical professional working all hours day and night, was probably one of the least family friendly careers possible. After a couple of years of being a stay at home mother, I realised that my brain needed a new challenge. So I enrolled in an introductory IT course available locally. After two weeks I realised this was my dream and I enrolled in the next level up. Then I was told I had already completed part of the degree course. So here I am, my son is five now, in less than a week I turn 50, and in a few weeks I will complete my degree. I am trying to find a job for when I finish, but the job market is slim pickings, especially if looking for a job that doesn’t include weekend work or nights.
Wow, Jody. I’m so moved by your story. Thank you for sharing it with such honesty.
You’ve navigated so many pivots with strength, clarity, and heart. From teaching yourself coding to returning to IT after motherhood and health challenges, your persistence is powerful. And the way you honored each season of your life while still pursuing what lights you up? That’s inspiring.
I know the job market can feel disheartening, especially when you’re trying to build something that fits your life, not the other way around. But please know, the path you’re walking isn’t small. It’s bold, brave, and deeply worthy.
I’m rooting for you as you finish your degree and step into what’s next. You’re already proof that it’s never too late to begin again.
We use tech every day. What we don’t know we learn by researching it whatever it is we’re trying to figure out and we can do it a shorter way and get with somebody that knows what they’re doing in the area that we’re looking for reach out to them or even join publications to teach this. But you don’t have to have the money to do that you can learn on your own. There’s a lot of tools out there especially with AI now it makes it so much easier.
Absolutely, Kathleen—this is such a grounded reminder.
We’re already using tech in our daily lives more than we realize, and you’re right: learning doesn’t always have to come with a price tag. The access we have now—especially with AI and open resources—has completely shifted the game.
It’s encouraging to hear this kind of mindset. Curiosity, resourcefulness, and the willingness to figure it out are powerful tools in themselves.
I’m not sure if my experience is helpful because the industry has changed a lot. I did not have a technology degree but realized I wanted to work at Microsoft. I knew I needed “experience in tech to get in tech.” I took a hardcore telesales job for a small startup. We were abused and threatened with firing everyday if we didn’t make our quota. I had a little background in TV news and strangely that along with having the tech startup on my resume got my foot in the door at Microsoft. Initially I started as a contractor and was able to prove myself and get hired on as a Microsoft employee.
Thank you for sharing this, Celeste. Your experience is absolutely helpful.
You showed what so many people are wrestling with—trying to get into tech without a tech background, navigating toxic environments just to gain a foothold, and still managing to push through. That resilience? That strategy? That’s powerful.
Your story reminds others that sometimes the path isn’t clean—but it’s still valid. And yes, it does help someone out there feel less alone.
Thank you Sara, there is always a way. Sometimes you have to go through the back door, or sneak through a window. I think the biggest thing is being scrappy and using your ingenuity. And even if the result isn’t exactly what you had in mind, it’s often better.
Yes—exactly that, Celeste.
There is always a way, even if it’s not through the front door. What you said about being scrappy and using your ingenuity? That’s the kind of mindset that builds lasting success—because it’s rooted in resilience, not just credentials.
And you’re so right—sometimes the path we didn’t plan for ends up leading somewhere even better. Thank you again for sharing this. It’s the kind of perspective that sticks with people.
Thank you for this! You are speaking right to me. I have been trying to figure out my path into tech. I have been really trying to hone into what I would bring as someone with not only a very different background (retail, recruiting and hospitality) but someone who has been home for 9 years as a SAHM. I'm ready to do what it takes to break in and find my place. I appreciate this so much! Can't wait to keep following you
Thank you so much! Confidence is definitely something I need to work on. I have the drive and the desire to learn and prove myself and am hopeful that will get me in the door.
I have been using ChatGPT to help me discover ideas for roles that align to my strengths, interests, and experience. With a lot of iteration I've discover roles like: on boarding specialists, product operations, user research coordinator, and something I've always been drawn too customer success manager. Any feedback or advice on those roles? I appreciate you so much 💖
You’re doing all the right things—and your self-awareness and willingness to learn will take you far. Confidence comes with action, and from what you’ve shared, you’re already building the momentum.
All the roles you mentioned—onboarding, product ops, user research, customer success—are amazing entry points, especially for someone with a background in people-facing, service-driven work. They require empathy, communication, and adaptability—skills you clearly already have.
If I could offer one tip: lean into storytelling on your resume and LinkedIn. Show how your past experience maps directly to the role you’re targeting. You don’t have to start over—you just have to reframe.
Keep going. You’re closer than you think.
This is so helpful. I definitely need to remember this.
Thank you so much for this. Your words truly moved me.
I just want to say—what you bring matters. Your background in retail, recruiting, and hospitality is filled with transferable skills that many in tech overlook but are so valuable: empathy, communication, people management, adaptability. And as someone who’s been home raising a family? That’s leadership, strategy, and multitasking at its highest level.
You are more ready than you think. I’m so glad this piece resonated, and I’m rooting for you as you take the next step into what’s already yours.
Let’s keep going. You’ve got this. 💛
I have been in tech for a while, and there always comes a point where you need to pivot, whether it’s leaning more into technical depth or stepping into leadership. The industry evolves fast, and so do we. Your story captures that moment of choice and courage so well. It’s a reminder that growth doesn’t always mean starting over, it often means building on who we already are, with more clarity and intention. Thanks Sara.
Thank you so much, Tinashe. Your words deeply resonate.
That reminder that growth isn’t always about starting over, but about building with more clarity and intention, captures exactly what so many of us need to hear. The way you framed pivoting as part of evolving, not erasing, is powerful.
Love this, Sara. A powerful reminder that skills, drive, and curiosity go a long way.
Thank you so much, Shartaya. It really does, skills can be learned, but that drive and curiosity? That’s what keeps you moving even when the path isn’t clear.
Appreciate your perspective, this post, and you :-)
Hello fellow traveller,
I’ve made that industry switch over 4 years back from electronics and electrical to IT and product design without a degree and experience and can relate to your post!
I believe it takes willingness, courage, and trust in yourself to make it with the knowledge and curiosity to learn like a beginner!
I love the way you put this. That willingness to learn like a beginner again, especially after switching industries, takes so much strength. Your journey is a powerful reminder that it’s not about having it all figured out, but about showing up with curiosity and trusting yourself along the way.
Thank you for sharing this. It’s so encouraging to hear from fellow travelers who’ve made bold leaps and are still walking with purpose.
Have you been reading my mind? This was exactly what I needed to read. It’s 2am and I’ve just gone to bed, having looked at job adverts and getting discouraged. Unlike you, I did teach myself coding as a child. Like you I have plenty of life experience. I went for the science degree straight out of school. Long story short I ended up without my career I had started the path towards at age 15. For a couple of years I made motherhood my new career, it had a lot more rewards than my previous one. The death of my career seemed to be my chance finally to go into IT, a field I had always thought about but never quite made the leap. A seemingly secure career was not something you just gave up. Until Hyperemesis and then becoming a mother caused me to rethink, and realise that my career as a medical professional working all hours day and night, was probably one of the least family friendly careers possible. After a couple of years of being a stay at home mother, I realised that my brain needed a new challenge. So I enrolled in an introductory IT course available locally. After two weeks I realised this was my dream and I enrolled in the next level up. Then I was told I had already completed part of the degree course. So here I am, my son is five now, in less than a week I turn 50, and in a few weeks I will complete my degree. I am trying to find a job for when I finish, but the job market is slim pickings, especially if looking for a job that doesn’t include weekend work or nights.
Wow, Jody. I’m so moved by your story. Thank you for sharing it with such honesty.
You’ve navigated so many pivots with strength, clarity, and heart. From teaching yourself coding to returning to IT after motherhood and health challenges, your persistence is powerful. And the way you honored each season of your life while still pursuing what lights you up? That’s inspiring.
I know the job market can feel disheartening, especially when you’re trying to build something that fits your life, not the other way around. But please know, the path you’re walking isn’t small. It’s bold, brave, and deeply worthy.
I’m rooting for you as you finish your degree and step into what’s next. You’re already proof that it’s never too late to begin again.
We use tech every day. What we don’t know we learn by researching it whatever it is we’re trying to figure out and we can do it a shorter way and get with somebody that knows what they’re doing in the area that we’re looking for reach out to them or even join publications to teach this. But you don’t have to have the money to do that you can learn on your own. There’s a lot of tools out there especially with AI now it makes it so much easier.
Absolutely, Kathleen—this is such a grounded reminder.
We’re already using tech in our daily lives more than we realize, and you’re right: learning doesn’t always have to come with a price tag. The access we have now—especially with AI and open resources—has completely shifted the game.
It’s encouraging to hear this kind of mindset. Curiosity, resourcefulness, and the willingness to figure it out are powerful tools in themselves.
Thank you so much for this
My pleasure 💛