Marie-Claire AssekoA little bit of context
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to participate as a guest in the 2nd episode of the Women Techmakers Montreal’s podcast:
This episode was focused on highlighting experiences that Lujan and I went through as we were navigating career transitions from different fields into technology.
We discussed our unique paths, our shared challenges, and the encouraging breakthroughs we experienced along the way. Our transitions underscore that it’s okay to deviate from an initial path and that diverse backgrounds can be valuable assets in the tech world.
Coupled with insights from the hosts, I hope that this podcast episode can provide valuable lessons 🤓 to anyone considering a career shift; especially into the ever-evolving tech industry.
That being said, this conversation made me realize that transitioning into a new career, regardless of the domains, is a journey filled with challenges, growth, and opportunities 🚀.
- Career transitions are rarely linear.
- For many, breaking into a new field can feel like venturing into uncharted waters.
- From self-doubt to systemic barriers, the obstacles are real but surmountable.
In this article, I will explore these challenges, share strategies to navigate them, reflect on my personal experience, and offer advice to women navigating career transitions.
Biggest Challenges of Career Transitions Faced by Women
Career transitions often involve leaving behind a familiar identity and navigating the uncertainty of a new field. Key challenges include:
- Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome 😖
- Many professionals grapple with feelings of inadequacy during transitions. This is especially true in tech, where the steep learning curve can intensify these emotions.
- As women, we often question our abilities, even when we possess the requisite skills, compounded by evolving in male-dominated spaces. This feeling can lead us to overworking ourselves in an attempt to prove that we are good enough.
- Feeling like an outsider in tech is common. This can be exacerbated when women are underrepresented in teams or leadership roles.
- Skill Gaps and Perceptions 👀
- When we don’t have the typical background of the average person in our new field, we may face skepticism about our capabilities.
- Traditional hiring practices that prioritize degrees over skills exacerbate this issue. These can create a barrier for women who are transitioning from other fields, even when they possess relevant skills.
- Specifically in tech, companies may hesitate to hire candidates without STEM degrees, even when their skills and experiences are highly relevant.
- Workplace Isolation and Representation 🙅🏾
- Being the only woman in a team can lead to feelings of isolation, discomfort, and a lack of confidence.
- Sometimes male colleagues may hesitate to invite women to social gatherings for fear of causing offense.
- Limited access to mentorship and supportive networks further deepens this divide.
- Navigating Bias and Workplace Dynamics 🫡
- Women often face biases around their personality traits or their communication styles, such as being labeled “too shy” or facing assumptions that they were hired solely to fulfill diversity quotas (i.e. having to “prove” their worth continually).
Strategies to Overcome These Career Transitions Challenges
While the hurdles are significant, there are actionable strategies to thrive during career transitions:
- Embrace 🫂 Continuous Learning 📚
- Invest in skills development through certifications, online courses, and bootcamps.
- A commitment to lifelong learning ensures you remain competitive.
- Highlight 🔦 Transferable Skills 🔨
- Skills like problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking are highly-valued in most industries.
- Especially in tech, you should frame your existing expertise as an asset that bridges gaps between technical solutions and user needs.
- Seek Mentorship 🫱🏾🫲🏾 and Build Networks 🛜
- Mentorship offers invaluable guidance and reassurance.
- Joining communities, attending industry events, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn can help expand your professional network.
- Reframe Self-Doubt 🤔
- Replace negative self-talk with affirmations of your strengths and achievements. Remember, even seasoned professionals experience imposter syndrome.
- It is also important to remind yourself that you were hired for a reason and you don’t need to prove that you belong.
- Advocate for Yourself 🙋🏾♀️
- Take initiative in seeking opportunities and don’t shy away from asking questions.
- Build your confidence by taking your “seat at the table” and contributing meaningfully.
Resilience + Adaptability + Strong support system
My Own Experience: Transitioning into Tech
My own journey from traditional marketing to tech was sparked by curiosity and a desire to solve complex problems creatively.
When one of my former employers began its company-wide digital transformation, I saw an opportunity to amplify my strategic skills and drive meaningful impact. Understanding my professional identity (i.e. taking stock of where I was) and how it translated to a new field allowed me to thrive in this rapidly-changing digital landscape.
In my case, this involved doing a lot of self-reflection and considering the long-term impacts of my choices. For instance, identifying where my personal strengths, passions, and market demand intersected to ensure that:
- I was not pivoting into an oversaturated field
- I was exploring curiosities that aligned with my aspirations.
As I gradually transitioned, my marketing background turned into a strength 💪🏾: initially seemingly disconnected from tech, it became a unique advantage — particularly in storytelling and maintaining a customer-centric focus.
My marketing knowledge enabled me to understand client needs and craft tech solutions that aligned with business goals.
However, this transition wasn’t without its challenges.
- I faced doubts about my technical expertise and moments of discomfort as I adjusted to a new industry.
- Often being the only woman on a team led me to questioning my abilities and I had to overcome the feeling that I did not belong.
- There was also the external perception that individuals without formal technical backgrounds or degrees may not be qualified for tech roles.
- I definitely faced hesitation from companies who were not sure about hiring women without technical degrees. This demonstrates the importance of companies prioritizing skills-based hiring over traditional qualifications.
It was key that I reframed those doubts and focused on my strengths and accomplishments in my different mandates 🤩. What kept me going was my commitment to continuous learning, resilience in the face of setbacks, and a vision for empowering innovation.
Additionally, I cannot stress enough how having a community and allies in the workplace helped me as well as the role of mentorship and support systems in building confidence and navigating obstacles. Simply being able to reach out to mentors for reassurance and validation was a breath of fresh air when things got hard.
Last but certainly not least, as you know, women are often hesitant to ask for help or to take their “seat at the table” which leads to missed opportunities for growth. I had to break free from this mental block and I encourage other women to be proactive, ask questions, and seek support without the fear of being judged.
Specific Advice to Women Facing Career Transitions Challenges in Tech
If you’re navigating your way into tech, here’s my advice:
- Believe in Your Unique Value 💗
- Your unique journey brings a perspective that is needed in tech.
- Embrace your strengths unapologetically and stay persistent.
- Invest in Skill Development 👩🏾💻 – Continuous learning is non-negotiable.
- Research and acquire recognized certifications;
- Attend practical workshops; and,
- Engage with industry thought leaders.
- Build and Lean on Support Systems 💁🏾♀️
- Seek out industry-specific resources (mentors, allies, and communities) that align with your professional goals.
- Platforms like Women Techmakers or local tech meetups can provide encouragement and practical advice.
- You can also create your own support system by sharing your successes, being vocal about your challenges in order to inspire others.
- Be Proactive and Visible🚦
- Take ownership of your career growth.
- Advocate for yourself, participate in discussions, and don’t hesitate to showcase your contributions.
- Show up and stand out from the crowd shamelessly!
- Collaborate with Companies to Shape Inclusive Practices 🫴🏾
- Push for skills-based hiring, tailored training programs, and mentorship opportunities in your current workplace.
My Closing Thoughts About Career Transitions
I hope that I provided you with an insightful look at career transitions and that I demonstrated it’s possible to successfully move from one career to another.
- While challenges persist, they can be overcome through resilience, adaptability, continuous learning, and a strong support system.
- Specifically in tech, women are reshaping the industry by combining empathy with innovation, proving that diverse perspectives drive progress.
- Career transitions are not just about changing jobs but about redefining what is possible and reaching your full potential.
Therefore, to every woman considering a career transition:
Trust in your abilities, stay curious, and remember that you belong—not despite your differences but because of them.
Together, we can create more inclusive and innovative industries that thrive on collaboration and empowerment.
