POV: You Are Looking to Go Into Tech
- Written by Tech4Dev’s Placement Team
Preparing Africa’s youth population for the future of work is at the heart of what we do at Tech4Dev. Through our intermediate-level training programs, we are solving the problems of unemployment and underemployment in Africa.
With a focus on young people (between the ages of 16–40), including women and girls, our programs are carefully designed to ensure that beneficiaries of the programs are well equipped with the requisite skills to start their tech careers anywhere in the world.
With over six years on this impact journey, we have learned so much and with this knowledge, we continue to find new ways to equip beneficiaries with the relevant skills for the technology workspace.
Not only do we provide tuition-free training to all program beneficiaries, we also encourage beneficiaries of our intermediate-level programs to go on internships as a way of gaining hands-on experience in their newly acquired skill.
Working with like-minded organizations like banks, start-ups and other tech-enabled institutions as internship partners who hire the fresh talents upon the completion of their technical and soft skill trainings is one way we ensure that the beneficiaries gain hands-one experience.
Tuition-free training || Hands-on experience || Technical and soft skill trainings
One of the many ways we identify new ways of providing relevant skills is through feedback from industry experts. In a recent Focus Group Discussion with experts across Nigeria, we gained some insights into the job realities for internship and entry-level tech talents in the country. Our focus technology competencies for these levels of tech talent were:
· Software and Mobile Development (Frontend and Backend Development)
· Product Design (UI/UX Design)
· Data Science and Engineering
· Product Management
· 3D modelling and Mixed Reality
· Mobile Application Development
· Blockchain
· Cybersecurity
Our recent Focus Group was made up of Technical Recruiters, Technical Co-Founders, Engineer and Technical team leads. During the discussion, we gained first-hand insights into the expectations, unwritten rules and general job realities for newbies in the tech space.
In our quest to learn more about the job realities for beneficiaries of our intermediate-level programs, we identified the following;
1. With regards to the top 3 tech skills, Software Development (Web & Mobile), Product Design (UI/UX) and Cyber Security rank highest in the Nigerian market. However, in the international market, Data Science, Blockchain technology, and Software Development (iOS) are the most popular.
2. Transitioning to tech may be tough without STEM background, however, taking additional training and certifications could be your leverage to becoming more employable. These will help to validate your skill, especially if you are from a non-technical background.
3. Having a STEM background is great, but being able to get the job done is better. Our findings show that although some organizations are particular about hiring talents who already studied a STEM related degree, some other organizations are more interested in the ability of talents to deliver on the job. It is important to understand the peculiarities and requirements of available job opportunities before applying to them.
4. Look out for the job, not the company. Many Techies are looking to work with top companies that may not be looking for their skill sets skills. Some organizations need the skills you have and some others don’t. So, when applying for a job, look out for roles you are skilled at and the companies where your skills are most in demand.
5. Depending on organizational policies, remote or hybrid work options are typically saved for experienced talents who need little or no supervision, or at least talents not on probation, so don’t shy away from engaging in on-site internships if that’s all the opportunity you have for now.
6. Your technical skills may get you the job, but your soft skills will keep you in that job. This means that your soft skills will help you stand out from the crowd, whether you are still in the employment pool or already employed. Your attitude to work and ability to effectively collaborate with members of your team will determine if you are a good fit for the organization; it’s the same reason why “culture fit” assessments are employed by HR professionals and why it’s also possible for great tech talent to be let go.
7. Working in tech can be flexible and financially rewarding, and stories about tech talents around the world earning a lot of money while working remotely are all over the internet. However, you should know that you will most likely not buy your first car from what you earn working as an intern. To achieve the huge rewards of working in Tech, you will need to put in time and hard work.
As an intern or entry-level tech talent, it is imperative to understand that the talent needs and expectations of employers differ across companies and industries.
In conclusion, your chances of getting hired heavily depend on your ability to build the right (in-demand) skills, look out for a job with your skill set without strict preference for remote work, and understand that your non-STEM background is not a limitation.
