About
Desmond Cheung
Non-computer science background
Worked myself into tech
Also a Career Coach
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Turned my lessons learnt into practical job hunting advice
"Am I qualified for a tech / digital career?"
This is the question I got asked the most by students during my service to career offices of universities. I felt their self-doubt and frustration to cope with the market trend.
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The chase is real because tech is now a suffix attached to every industry. Industry-tech is everywhere e.g. fintech, edtech, healthtech, martech. Candidate’s FOMO (fear of missing out) is relevant and it presents an urgency to act.
As an industry practitioner, I witness every company, from corporates to start-ups, looking for the right candidates to help it stand against the wind of disruption.
Candidates, especially those from non-computer science background, therefore found themselves less competitive. They tried different means to stay relevant, e.g. master degrees, internships, online courses. Yet they haven't felt more assured.
I could relate to this, as I had been through the same myself. I worked myself into tech years ago and started with a role in marketing. I hacked my career thereafter, moving to tech support and now business development. I climbed the rocky mountains and developed my learnings - the trends, the available roles, their requirements and most importantly, how to get there.
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Ever since, I have been sharing my career hacks to students, graduates and candidates, across backgrounds and industries, who are keen to stay relevant in tech. And they made it e.g. moved from accountant to tech consultant, from analyst to data scientist.
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Hacking your way is no easy task, but definitely manageable, with the right techniques, practiced by myself and my students.
Scroll down to learn about the hack, and begin your journey today.
If you want to listen to my personal story, check out my podcast with happery.io (next-gen recruitment platform) on Spotify for more.
How to start hacking?
Essentially there are three steps.
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Know your position: Each tech / digital role requires a different mix of hard skill (programming with certain language e.g. SQL, Python, certain software competency e.g. Google Analytics) and soft skill (project management, presentation, leadership). Look at the role's JD, compare it with your CV and find out your relevance e.g. transferable skills. Articulate them.
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Know your limit: Don't forget to identify your gap in the meantime. Admit that, as you are stepping up your game.
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Build your credentials: Now comes the crucial part - filling the gap. Staying relevant in tech requires continuous learning (even after you get a job) from non-traditional channels (textbook is rare) e.g. edX, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn. Go to these platforms, sign up, explore the courses, shape your interest and add credibility to your profile. Little step counts e.g. certification in progress. Employers love to hear your story, when there is no bullshit.
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​If you could get hold of the above three, I am pretty sure you would gain an upper hand to identify fitting roles, justify yourself, and deliver a compelling reason for your future employer to hire you for the job.
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You may also read my other articles on LinkedIn:
Coach, do me a magic - how can I get into tech without a relevant degree?
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2 Things Every Student Should Know To Create Compelling CV
Do you have trouble starting?