Advice on starting my tech journey.
I’ve been working in finance the past 9 years but I’m looking to make the switch to tech. The money, challenge, lifestyle, and career prospects seem great and finance is going through structural changes that limit any growth. My questions are: 1) should I go bootcamp it self taught? I’ve been attending info sessions at Hack Reactor and will apply there, but not sure if self teaching is the way to go. 2) people who made career shifts, or anyone really, what did you wish you knew before starting this? Thanks! Edit: to answer your questions: 32 years old. right now I have 9 yoe in investments, less than 1 yoe learning how to code. Current TC is $115K. Very low for finance in NYC, but that’s cause I’ve been at this small firm for a while and that big pay day looks like it won’t come anytime soon. Degree in finance. Pretty solid finance background (head of Investment selection, helped build infrastructure for my firm from the ground up, ran the largest student run portfolio in the country when I was in school, create the first derivatives trading platform for students using their endowments money). I also started a little side fund/ club that I’m using some python to help with. If you need more info let me know.
We need more information. Age/yoe/tc/degree
Literally none of that matters.
I added to that above.
People that go to Hacker Bootcamps don’t cut it to many hiring managers. The students learn, for example, “React” but don’t fully grasp computing fundamentals, let alone javascript fundamentals. It is a waste. Go get a bachelors degree and it will pay for itself in a couple years.
I already have a bachelors degree and am at a stage where I can’t go study full time due to certain commitments.
Go part time. I’m telling you it is worth it
Attend tech meetups in NYC
Join a finance position at a tech company
Data science would be a good role for you.
DM me. We are hiring business analysts and data scientists in my org. A BA would be a good stepping stone into tech for your background.
Hi, are you still looking for BA/DS?
Skip boot camps. I had a friend do one and it took them almost a year to find a contract tech job, and that was only because they knew someone. My advice, learn mobile development (you can do this for free online), launch a few mobile apps under your own LLC, then apply for mobile engineering jobs at a company. This is going to be a multi-year transition. You won’t be able to do it overnight
You sound like a techie at a bank
YOE/TC!?
Explained above.