Tips for a successful career change in the digital sector

Are you drawn to the digital sector? If you want a new job or love technology, moving to the tech field can be a great chance to advance your career.

Read below to find out tips for a successful career change in the digital sector.

Twin professional experiences, an asset for career transition

Having dual professional experience is a major asset in your career transition. It represents added value that can set you apart in the job market. Combining your previous experience with new IT skills, can open you up to a range of professions requiring various skills. In the eyes of recruiters, these varied skills are a sign of versatility and adaptability to change. 

A wealth of experience is a real asset for standing out in a highly competitive market. A wide range of skills is highly valued. Imagine someone with solid project management experience in a different field, who also has software development skills.

This unique combination makes her particularly effective for roles as IT project manager or digital transformation consultant. It's this kind of versatile profile that makes all the difference and opens up exciting new opportunities.

Which short courses are right for a successful career change in IT?

The IT sector, like all other fields, requires key skills to ensure your success. Fortunately, short, targeted training courses are available to help you quickly acquire the skills you need for your career.

Coding bootcamps

These intensive programs last from a few weeks to a few months. They focus on specific programming skills, such as web development, mobile development, etc.

Professional certifications

Certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, or CompTIA can enhance your abilities in fields like network management, cybersecurity, or cloud technologies.

MOOCs and online courses

Online training platforms or MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) such as OpenClassrooms, Coursera, edX or Udacity offer high-quality courses in various IT fields, often with certification options.

Short professional courses

Specific training courses offered by professional training organizations are also available. These short courses generally last between 6 and 12 months, covering areas such as web development, data science or digital marketing.

What Financial Support is Available for Career Transition into the Tech Industry?

Various funding options are available to help you acquire new skills and ease your transition into the IT sector:

Personal Training Account (PTA)

In the UK, you can utilise your accumulated training hours under the Personal Training Account (PTA) to fund qualifying courses. This system allows employees to upskill or reskill while continuing their current employment.

Support from Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus offers several funding programs for job seekers looking to retrain, such as the Flexible Support Fund, which can cover the cost of training that leads to employment.

Professional and Career Development Loans

Professional and Career Development Loans are bank loans used to pay for courses and training that help with your career or business. The government pays the interest while you're studying, and you start repaying the loan after your course.

Employer-Sponsored Programs

Many large companies offer retraining or continuous professional development programs for their employees, often as part of their skills development plans. Check with your HR department to see what opportunities are available.

Which digital sectors are recruiting?

The fast-growing IT sector offers a wide range of job opportunities in a variety of fields:

Software development: still in high demand, whether for web, mobile or embedded software development.

Cybersecurity: with the increase in digital threats, the demand for IT security experts continues to grow.

Data science and big data: expertise in data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence is in high demand.

Cloud computing: migration to the cloud is a major trend, with significant needs in cloud administration and engineering.

Artificial intelligence and robotics: innovations in these fields are creating new job opportunities for those specializing in this sector.

Transitioning to a career in IT offers many opportunities, fueled by a growing demand for specialised technological skills. Learning new skills, building on experience and using the financing options available, can help you succeed in your professional development. It can help you move into exciting, well-paid jobs better suited to your new expectations.