Switch into tech

Stage 1 · Lesson 7 of 7

First conversations with people in tech

An honest reality check

Before you commit a year, talk to two or three people doing the kind of work you are considering. An is a short, relaxed conversation about their work. It is not a request for a job.

Ask what a normal week looks like. Ask what they wish they had known when starting. Ask how people with your background got in where they work.

Good places to find them are former classmates, colleagues who moved into tech, local and mentoring platforms. These chats test the reason you wrote down in the previous topic. They also start the network you will need much later.

Common trapasking for a referral (a recommendation for a job at their company) in the first message, which makes the chat awkward for both of you.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 1 cheat sheet entry come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with

Keep handy

  • Stack Overflow Developer Survey

    Real data on how developers learned and what education they have, instead of viral claims

  • ADPList

    Free mentoring calls to find people for your first informational chats

Also worth your time

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