Tech Recruiter transitioning to Tech/SWE?
I’ve been a recruiter (both tech and non-tech) for the last 5 years - wow! Time flies! I graduated with a degree in business admin with an emphasis in HR in 2017. I didn’t like the drama of the HR world so I decided to focus my career in recruiting. For the last two years, since Covid, I’ve been picking up contract recruiting roles. I’ve worked at Disney & currently a FinTech company. I’m growing tired of my job. I thought going into HR would allow me to change the world… unlimited PTO for everyone, everyone gets promotions each year, raises galore! (Boy, was I wrong. I’m just now a cog in the machine HA!) I know I can transition into benefits, compensation, or any manager role and grow from there but the earning potential and job flexibility likely won’t be there. Another reason I don’t want to be in HR is because I realize that as a woman, it will become difficult to find a job the older I get (older with more experience isn’t as sexy as a candidate who is young with fresh new ideas). I’m not as mentally stimulated in my current field - I naturally crave more - learning more, more knowledge, more growth, etc. I have been going back and forth about the idea of transitioning into a tech-specific role. I figure if I’m going to be working another 30 years (until age 60, at least). I might as well be in a field that’s going to make me good money. So, Blind, will anyone shed some light on the technology world and share the best languages/frameworks, etc to learn to get my foot in the door in tech? Also, with all the layoffs going on, I’m sure the job market will bounce back in the next 6-12 months and SWEs/technology folks will be needed again. Side note - I can also start my own recruiting business. Or, I’ve also been toying with the idea of nursing. Why? Because high earning potential, flexible schedule, local jobs - meaning, I don’t necessarily need to live in a big metro city like LA, SF, or NY to find a job. Any & all advice is appreciated! TC: 110 #techcareers #career #tech #SWE #SDE
Recruiting to SWE is a huge step. I would suggest considering stepping stones instead. Maybe recruiting to program/project management and then transition to technical program management. Being a TPM will give you tech exposure that will make learning to be a SWE easier. Why would you transition into healthcare this late in the game? Sure it’s an option if you absolutely need a high paying job in like, Alabama but being in that field demands a lot of hours especially if you’re not at the nurse practitioner/doctor level (which you need to be if you want to make as much as tech). It’s not really sustainable the older you get, like you said. A healthcare is a huge financial investment too. You’ll have to go back for your masters and keep up with taking exams to keep your license.
+1 about transitioning to program management first
Product Management is also a good transition in my opinion
Tldr
In short, I’m a recruiter who wants to transition into the technology field. What would be the best way to start? Some say TPM first, then SWE.
Do a bootcamp.
Just do a bootcamp
I have seen a former recruiter friend transition to a Business Intelligence Analyst role, which involves SQL, dashboards (tableau/power bi) and maybe some python (rarely).
💯
Can you recruit me into your company?
Good luck
i’m not sure the job for entry level SWE will bounce back in a few months. i agree with others, PM or TPM might suit you better. you might even be able to transit to EM in the future if you have strong people skills
Being a nurse is a completely different thing. Are you ok with seeing and doing gross things?
I was a tech recruiter who switched to SWE but: - I recruited SWEs, including in big tech. - I was academically strong (ie I'm smart. I went into recruiting thinking I would open my own business but changed my mind). - I happened to do program management after recruiting but I don't think this necessarily made a big difference. - I needed to figure out how some code worked never having coded before. I realized I enjoyed the process more than my day job. - I then took an introductory Python course - enjoyed that - and then went to a coding bootcamp. - Even after the bootcamp, I Leetcoded a lot and I'm still Leetcoding so I can level up companies. But I'm now a SWE. It's very different from recruiting, thankfully as I didn't like recruiting. If I were you, I'd take one of those prep courses for a coding bootcamp to see if you like it. They're usually only a few weeks and not too expensive. Also, don't quit your day job. Who knows when junior swe hiring will pick back up and you can do all of this on the side including part time bootcamps if you decide to go that route.
Thank you for your response. I’ll look into a boot camp to see if I really enjoy it. I appreciate it :)
Are there free boot camps?
Now is a rough time. HVAC is pretty hot though and you can live anywhere and it's a skill that makes you a valuable friend to keep around too.
This. Though not something a woman would want to do
Why? Woman can be extremely skilled and successful in that field.