LESSON 1: THE ABC OF BUILDING A TECH CAREER

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants should be able to:

1. Understand the landscape and opportunities in the tech industry.

2. Identify their interests and possible career paths in tech.

3. Understand how to acquire relevant skills and build experience.

4. Learn about the role of networking, mentorship, and continuous learning in tech career growth.

Lesson Outline:

A – Awareness and Alignment

1. Introduction to the Tech Industry

• Definition of “Tech”

• Tech vs. Non-Tech roles in the tech industry

• Current trends (AI, Data Science, Cloud, Cybersecurity, etc.)

• Myths about tech careers (e.g., “You must be a programmer”)

2. Career Pathways in Tech

• Technical Roles:

  • Software Developer

  • Data Analyst / Data Scientist

  • Cybersecurity Analyst

  • Cloud Engineer

  • DevOps

• Non-Technical Roles:

  • UI/UX Designer

  • Product Manager

  • Technical Writer

  • QA Tester

  • Digital Marketer

• Emerging roles:

  • AI Prompt Engineer

  • Blockchain Developer

  • Tech Sales and Support

3. Self-Assessment & Career Alignment

• Identifying strengths, interests, and career fit

• Tools: SWOT Analysis, Career Assessment Quizzes

• Matching personality types with tech roles

B – Building Skills and Brand

1. Learning & Skill Acquisition

• Formal vs. Informal learning paths

• Free/affordable learning platforms: Coursera, Udemy, freeCodeCamp, Khan Academy, etc.

• Importance of structured learning: Projects + Practice

2. Building a Portfolio

• GitHub for coders

• Behance/Dribbble for designers

• Personal websites or blogs

• Mini projects, open-source contributions, freelance gigs

3. Certifications & Credentials

• Importance of certifications (Google, Meta, Microsoft, AWS)

• When they matter and when they don’t

4. Digital Presence and Branding

• Optimizing LinkedIn

• Building in public (Twitter, GitHub, Dev.to)

• Writing tech blogs or tutorials

• Volunteering or internships

C – Connection, Community & Career Growth

1. Networking & Community

• Joining tech communities (Discord, Slack, Facebook groups, Twitter Spaces)

• Attending meetups, webinars, hackathons

• Participating in challenges (e.g., 100 Days of Code, Google Summer of Code)

2. Mentorship & Collaboration

• Finding a mentor

• Peer learning & study groups

• Asking good questions and giving value

3. Job Readiness

• Writing a tech resume and cover letter

• Interview preparation (mock interviews, coding challenges, whiteboarding)

• Building confidence through practice

4. Consistency & Continuous Learning

• Tech is always evolving: Keep learning

• Set SMART goals and track growth

• Stay updated with industry news and trends

Class Activity / Hands-on Exercises:

1. Self-Assessment Worksheet

   • Identify interests, strengths, and preferred roles in tech

   • Choose top 2 potential tech paths to explore

2. Tech Role Exploration

   • Each participant researches one tech role and presents:

     • What it entails

     • Required skills

     • Entry path

3. Portfolio Brainstorm

   • Participants sketch out ideas for their first project or portfolio page

4. LinkedIn Quick Audit

   • Group review: Tips for optimizing LinkedIn profiles

Materials Needed:

• Projector/slides

• Self-assessment templates

• Flip chart or whiteboard

• Internet access (if hands-on is included)

• Links to recommended learning platforms

Facilitator Notes:

• Use relatable examples (local and international success stories)

• Encourage questions, interaction, and group discussion

• Be inclusive of both technical and non-technical interests

• Remind them that it’s okay to switch paths as they grow

Recommended Resources:

• Books:

  • “The Tech Resume Inside Out” by Gergely Orosz

  • “Cracking the Coding Interview” by Gayle Laakmann McDowell

• Websites:

  • roadmap.sh

  • freecodecamp.org

  • careerfoundry.com