5 Tips on Pivoting to a Tech Career with a Non-Traditional Background
Insight from CallRail’s Amanda Raymond
If you ask any of Amanda Raymond’s friends, family members, or colleagues, they’d all agree that she embodies living life to the fullest.
The Staff Engineer at CallRail is currently exploring the great American outdoors in a custom camper which doubles as her portable office. And when she’s not showcasing her coding skills at work, she’s busy exploring, kayaking, solo hiking, or making repairs on her house with wheels. “Everyday something breaks, so I'm learning how to be an electrician, learning how to be a plumber, and everyday I have to learn something new,” she says cheerfully.
This roadtrip is a full circle moment for Amanda because, just over 8 years ago, after quitting her job as a biochemist, she set off on another cross-country trip that reconnected her with an old friend who introduced her to an opportunity to change her career trajectory by joining a coding bootcamp.
“Coming from a biochem background, you had to have a certificate on a wall with a high degree to get through a door. I had a bachelor's, I didn't have a Masters, I didn't have a PhD,” says Amanda. “I knew that I wanted the freedom of a career in Tech and the lifestyle of a coder so I took a leap of faith.” And she dove headfirst into a full-stack web development bootcamp. That leap of faith has helped her transition from a job in science that she wasn’t passionate about and grow a fulfilling career that allows her the freedom and flexibility with a company that embraces her adventurous spirit.
We sat down with Amanda to hear more about her career journey, and to gain some unique insight on starting a career in technology with a non-traditional background. Keep reading for her top 5 tips for breaking into a career in technology.
Tip 1: Acquire the Skill Set: Join a Bootcamp or Use Online Resources
Amanda’s journey began when she attended a coding bootcamp. “At the time I joined, the whole concept of coding bootcamps was new,” she explains. “So a lot of people didn't know what bootcampers were.” But nowadays, bootcamps are one of the most popular ways to learn how to code and, like for Amanda, they serve as a great foundation for career pivoters to break into the world of tech.
Amanda highlights the fact that you don’t have to have a degree in computer science to start working in tech. Career pivoters have valuable experiences, perspectives, and transferable skills that can be hugely beneficial for companies. Amanda sees having a background in something other than tech should be seen, “not as a disadvantage, but as an advantage.”
But bootcamps aren’t the only way to accelerate your learning, especially considering the financial investment required for these intensive courses. “There are so many free resources out there,” Amanda elaborates. “If you have the discipline to teach yourself, you can listen to podcasts, you can do tutorials online, you can watch YouTube videos, the possibilities are endless. Information is free on the internet these days and so at the end of the day, if you're trying to see if you wanna go into tech, I would say immerse yourself with that information.”
Tip 2: Network to Build Personal Connections!
When it came to finding a job, Amanda eagerly recommended networking. “My advice to people going into transitioning into tech is to go to meetups consistently, but don't go with the intent of getting a job,” she warns. Instead, she advises to focus on making connections, and the professional opportunities will follow. “Get to know people, be excited to be there, be motivated to learn, and be curious about the people that you're meeting. Because at the end of the day, a lot of people just want to work with people that they get along with.” Amanda secured her first major tech job at a small startup via a networking event. Her connection with a friend of a CTO of a local startup led to an interview, her first job in tech, and a “forever mentor.”
After a bustling three years of learning under the wing of that CTO, Amanda was ready for the next learning experience via a different lane in the tech industry. “The fervor and energy surrounding ‘startup life’ was incredibly rewarding and insightful for my apprentice-like mind for 3 years, but eventually proved pretty taxing,” she explains. “ I was excited to dig into the next phase of my career transition at a larger company..” So, once again, she utilized her network to transition from her startup to a position in CallRail. “Some of the CallRail admins had previously worked for the same startup I was currently working at, and my CTO advocated for me as a reference to let them know I was going to apply.”. She started her journey with CallRail in 2017.
Tip 3: Leverage your Transferable Skills
When pivoting into tech, your transferable skills will help you bridge the gaps that you might be missing with education. In fact, they can also give you a leg up on your colleagues. In Amanda’s case, applying the scientific method to coding came as a strength. “I use it daily at work for solving problems,” she explains. “It comes down to observing a problem, researching the topic, proposing a hypothesis, running an experiment that can test that hypothesis, analyzing the results, and then reporting the conclusion.”
Having an idea of how your prior skill sets can be applied in your new career is an interview must. Being prepared to explain your non-traditional background can help employers better understand who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Tip 4: Find the Right Work Environment for You
One of Amanda's favorite aspects of working at CallRail is that the company prioritizes employee passions. “CallRail is a place where, if you are passionate about something, then they will do whatever it takes to help you to do it. They want people to be passionate about what they're working on.” And that doesn’t just mean in the workplace. In fact, Amanda credits her current lifestyle to CallRail’s trust and willingness to provide remote opportunities post-COVID. “Not many companies would be okay with what I am doing, but CallRail has been very supportive. My manager has, from the very beginning, been supportive of this track for me.”
Having a sense of support and trust at work translates to overall happiness and wellbeing. “At the beginning of my mobile office journey, I asked my manager to please let me know if I have a decrease in work efficiency, and that I would promptly adjust,” she explains. “And my manager responded with,, ‘If anything, we think that you are going to do better work because you will be happier.’”
To find the best work environment for you Amanda recommends doing your research on company values and culture and asking questions to make sure the company is a good fit. “When you're interviewing for a job, they're not just interviewing you, you're interviewing them to see if that's a place where you can thrive.” She further explains, “At the beginning of your career transition into Tech, you want to find an environment that celebrates where you are currently in that journey and provides you with tangible resources and guidance to take you to the next level.”
Tip 5: Build the Right Mindset
In order to best succeed in this field Amanda highlights three mindset shifts she believes led her to success.
Be patient with yourself. “You have to have a lot of patience with yourself when learning something new. And if you have confidence that you can do anything you set your mind to and the patience with yourself to stick with it (because it won't happen overnight)— you can be successful,” says Amanda. “The patience to stick with myself and continue to believe in my abilities during challenging times was my map to transitioning into tech.”
Get comfortable not always having the answer. For Amanda, starting a career in tech requires accepting that you will need to be a continual learner. “I think that being in tech is kind of like being on a constant roller coaster of newness and learning. That journey never ends, and you have to kind of be okay with that and then get good at it,” she explains.
Be passionate and coachable. As the previous point suggests, teachability is a trait that any career pivoter needs to embrace. During her time as a coding instructor, she noted that the most passionate students were the most likely to succeed, saying “What I saw as a teacher and as a mentor is that the people that were truly passionate, in a way that was contagious, were able to succeed by constantly communicating and staying humble, yet eager to tackle the rigorous process of learning.”
Are you ready to pivot into tech? Click here to check out CallRail’s open positions.
Nestlé USA's Tiffany on What Being Empowered at Work Means to Her
For Tiffany, a Senior Category Manager for Infant Nutrition, being a mom is her superpower at both home and work.
“When I first started on the Infant Nutrition team Nestlé, my daughter was six months old. I remember how excited I was to have my experiences as a mom not only welcomed but also celebrated – I felt like I could bring my whole self to work.”
That inspiration continues to drive her work every single day. From empowering others through her leadership in Nestle’s Black Employee Resource Groups to serving as an advocate for Black maternal health initiatives, Tiffany’s leadership is driving change at Nestlé and beyond.
“Being empowered at Nestlé means having a vision, the commitment and the courage to lend your voice and advocate – not only for yourself but for others.”
At Nestlé, we attribute our business success to our people and we’re honored to celebrate their #EmpoweredAtNestle stories this month – and 365 days a year.
What is Ramadan?
5 Ways to Support the Celebration of Ramadan in the Workplace
Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, and it’s also a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the culture of inclusivity in the workplace.
This annual month-long holiday is a time that requires accommodation and understanding, flexibility and support, and encouragement of open religious observation for Muslim colleagues. This is why many companies have made these a priority in their workplaces, during Ramadan and beyond.
So, what are the best ways to support Muslim coworkers during this holy month?
First, you should learn what it is, and the importance of this month-long holiday in Islam. Keep reading to learn more, and for 5 ways you can support the celebration in your workplace.
What is Ramadan?
In order to understand the best ways to support it’s celebration, we must first understand what Ramadan is and its significance in Islam.
The Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research describes Ramadan as “the period in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was visited by the archangel Gabriel and began to receive the Qur’an—the final scripture revealed by God.”
To commemorate this great revelation, participants abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. This means that they don’t eat or drink anything between these periods – even water. This fast, along with other ways of celebrating, brings spiritual clarity and a reconnection with the Divine.
Every day of Ramadan begins with suhoor, the meal taken before sunrise, and then ends with iftar, the meal taken after sunset, with communal prayers at the end of each day and then personal prayers throughout the night.
While fasting is likely the most characteristic practive of Ramadan, it is also a time of bonding between family and community, a time of prayer, a time of charity, and a time of avoiding bad habits (such as smoking).
Outside of the fast and communal prayers, each individual may celebrate Ramadan in their own way. This is why having an accommodating workplace is such an important aspect during this sacred month.
Ways to Support Ramadan at Work
1. Allow flexible and thoughtful work schedules
Between nighttime prayers, early morning suhoor, and daily fasting, it is not unusual for Muslim employees to feel fatigued and experience loss of concentration during Ramadan. In fact, Harvard Health states that fasting can cause lethargy, headaches, and crankiness. This is why offering a more flexible schedule can be one of the best forms of support.
For instance, allowing Muslim employees to begin earlier in the day, so that they can leave earlier to enjoy iftar with their families, is a great option to give. This ensures they can work during the peak of their energy (after their morning meal) and return home to celebrate the breaking of their fast for the day.
For Muslim employees that work late or night shifts, allowing them breaks during work to enjoy iftar at sunset, or to eat suhoor at sunrise, as well as flexibility for prayer, is another great option to give.
Offering flexible hours also allows those who celebrate through means of charitable work to volunteer during the day without worrying about it interfering with their work schedule.
2. Offer designated prayer spaces
Prayer is an important aspect of Islam, but it is especially necessary during Ramadan. Some participants may pray up to five times a day, each session taking 5-10 minutes. And some may require a designated prayer space in the workplace.
Helpful accommodations could include a specific room set aside for employees to use for prayer, meeting rooms that employees can book for prayer times, or even allowing them to visit a local mosque.
Leaving these prayer options open for Muslim employees year-round is a great way to support those who practice these prayers even outside of Ramadan.
3. Offer enough paid time off
Many Muslim employees use Ramadan as a means of reconnecting with family and dedicating their time to charities, so offering adequate amounts of PTO offers them the freedom and ability to take the days off that are most important to them during their celebration.
Whether it's family or community get-togethers, time with friends, volunteer work, or even adjusting to new sleeping and eating schedules, offering plenty of PTO during the month of Ramadan ensures all Muslim employees are able to celebrate the holiday to its fullest.
It also gives them the opportunity to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, or the Feast of Breaking the Fast.
This significant, three-day holiday marks the end of Ramadan and is typically comprised of praying, charity, relaxing, feasting, drinking, and gifts. It is often likened to Christmas for Christians, and Muslim employees will want adequate time off to enjoy the festivities and food with their friends and family.
4. Partake in fasting or eat consciously
The Yaqeen Institute of Islamic Research encourages non-Muslims (who are interested) to try their hand at Ramadon’s intense sunrise-to-sunset fasting. And what better way to connect with Muslim coworkers?
While fasting for non-Muslims during Ramadan is not required, it is a meaningful act of inclusion that can help Muslim colleagues feel a sense of community, safety, and belonging in the workplace. Firsthand experience also offers the best form of education and empathy.
If fasting sounds too intense, it can be equally as kind to avoid food-centered meetings (such as luncheons), to not offer them food (accidentally), and to not eat in front of them during their fast (Note that many participants are not bothered by others maintaining a normal food schedule, so to avoid any offenses, it’s best to ask before eating in front of them).
Being conscious of one’s actions is always important in the workplace, but taking a little extra care during Ramadan can be very meaningful.
5. Provide education to raise awareness
One of the best means of creating support for Muslim employees during Ramadan is by providing education on Ramadan’s significance, history, and traditions to raise awareness in the workplace.
Coworkers might want to know how to wish someone a happy Ramadan, be more respectful during a spiritually significant time, or may wonder how they can best support Muslim colleagues throughout the month. Hosting an educational talk on Ramadan can teach them all of these things and help build a more positive, inclusive atmosphere for Muslim workers.
While Ramadan is an especially great time to build religious inclusivity, supporting Muslim workers throughout the year is equally as important. For many, spiritual fervor does not end with Eid al-Fitr, and being open to understanding and accommodating different religious practices is an important part of cultivating a culture of inclusivity.
Ramadan is a great opportunity to bring education about religious diversity to the workplace and to remind people that even in the professional realm, religion still plays a very important role in people’s daily lives. Only with this understanding can a healthy, safe work environment be created that allows religious diversity to flourish.
Click here to see what companies are doing to support their Muslim employees this month.
10 Professional Development Books to Read in 2022
There are countless ways to invest in your professional growth these days– mentorships, online courses, and conferences, just to name a few.
But if you’re looking for a simple, affordable way to boost your career growth, don't underestimate the power of a good book!
Professional development books give insight on how to grow in our careers and better approach work-related conflict through self-improvement, education, and mindset shifts. They also strengthen how we respond to challenges and how well we adapt to shifting work environments.
We asked the team at PowerToFly to share their favorite reads for career growth. Keep reading to see our top 10 professional development books to read this year!
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
What Cal Newport calls a “valuable” and “increasingly rare” skill, having the ability to deep work will not only allow you to feel truly fulfilled, but to be better at your job and to be more successful in both work and life. With practical and actionable advice, Newport teaches you how to transform your mind and your daily habits so that you can learn the life-changing art of deep work and become the professional you have always wanted to be.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
In this insightful book, Dale Carnegie teaches you how to succeed in your personal and professional life by transforming the way you interact with the people around you. By improving your communication skills you can boost your confidence, grow your social circle, strengthen your public speaking, and ultimately strengthen your professional life.
Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny by Anthony Robbins
Renowned expert Tony Robbins teaches you how to master your mind, body, relationships, and money so you can take control of your life and find your purpose. Through practical steps, you can learn how to propel your career forward and reach your true potential in your professional life through the power of self-mastery, goal setting, and perseverance.
The Untethered Soul at Work: Teachings to Transform Your Work Life by Michael A. Singer
A spiritual leader, founder of the Medical Manager Corporation, and software architect, Michael A. Singer delivers a powerful program that focuses on building a healthy relationship with the mind to transform how we approach our work. By properly equipping our minds, Singer teaches us how to handle the 10 most common workplace issues, win success, and find fulfillment in our professional careers.
The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company by Robert Iger and Joel Lovell
Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company and one of the most successful CEOs of our time, shares the lessons he learned and the ideas and values he gained while leading Disney, a company of 200,000 employees, from a position of increased competition and rapidly changing technology to the internationally beloved name we all know today.
The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer
We live in a very connected world, and the more virtual we become, the more connected we get. With such a culture clash happening in the workplace, Erin Meyer expertly guides us through the sometimes funny, sometimes messy issues that can arise in a culturally diverse environment by providing a model of how these differences can affect international business, along with some practical advice for overcoming them.
Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World by Ashley Godall and Marcus Buckingham
There are nine lies pervading the workplace, and as well-intentioned as they may be, they are wreaking havoc. According to Buckingham and Goodall in this insightful work, the only way to overcome these destructive lies is through freethinking leadership. By digging deeper, breaking some outdated patterns, and embracing uniqueness, freethinking leaders are paving the way for a workplace that is real, functional, and displays its success down to its very core.
Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Malone Scott
Expert CEO Coach Kim Scott understands that being a good boss is tough, which is why she created a radical, new method to approach management. By finding the middle ground between what Scott calls “obnoxious aggression” and “ruinous empathy”, she teaches bosses about the power of radical candor and how they can use it to create success as a leader – and maintain their humanity while they’re at it. Written for bosses by a boss, this practical guide to leadership is certain to change the professional environment for the better.
What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard Nelson Bolles
With timeless advice, up-to-the-minute insights, and more than ten million copies sold over fifty years, the advice in this book still rings true in today’s challenging job market, as recent grads face a shifting economic landscape and seek work that pays and inspires, as workers are laid off mid-career, and as people search for an inspiring work-life change. In this highly regarded career advice book, Richard Nelson Bolles offers unique and authoritative guidance so that job seekers and pivoters can have the tools to discover and land their dream job.
The Happiness Advantage: the 7 Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Anchor
Conventional wisdom ties success to happiness: the more successful we are, the happier we’ll be. In this book, Harvard lecturer Shawn Anchor explores the possibility that happiness fuels success. When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work. He outlines seven actionable principles that lead to success, backed by research in psychology, neuroscience, and management studies. He highlights how to reap the benefits of a happier and more positive mind-set to achieve the extraordinary in our work and in our lives.