5 Steps to Getting Your First Job in Software Engineering

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Software impacts nearly all aspects of our lives today. If you woke up to an alarm on your mobile phone, ordered lunch via an app, or used technology to get your work done today, you can thank software developers. If you’re interested in improving your problem-solving and analytical skills to help solve challenges (whether that’s how lunch gets ordered or something bigger, like climate change), software engineering could be the next career for you. 

If you are wondering how to land a software engineering job with no experience, you’ve come to the right place. At General Assembly, we help thousands of people change careers and get entry-level jobs in software engineering in months. No four-year computer science degree required. This quick start guide outlines five steps to take to launch your new career in software engineering, regardless of your background. 

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Love your company but hate your job? Change Careers Without Changing Companies, Here’s How

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Changing careers can be daunting. However, sometimes a career change doesn’t mean changing companies. If you love your company but hate your job, you might be able to transition your role. It is often easier to change within an existing company than apply for a new role. 

This is especially true if you’re interested in pursuing a career in UX Design, Data, or Coding. Many companies are struggling to get the talent they need to fill open technical roles, even with rampant layoffs and a global recession. Gaining digital skills is one of the most effective ways to change jobs internally without leaving the company. 

With that in mind, keep reading to discover the benefits of making the switch and what factors to consider when changing careers internally. 

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Top 5 Coding Languages to Learn in 2023

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The tech industry is booming, and the demand for programmers is increasing every year. There are 26.9 million software developers globally, according to a recent Global Developer Population and Demographic Study. This number is projected to increase to 27.7 million in 2023 and 28.7 million in 2024. 

The world is moving fast, and there are many job openings for coders in 2023. There are many reasons why coding powers the world. The main use cases of coding include software development, data analytics, data science, web development, mobile app development and big data.

If you want to get involved in this exciting field, it’s essential that you learn how to code. But with so many different programming languages out there, where should you start? This blog will look at the top five coding languages that are most widely used today and why they’re so important.

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The 5 Most In-Demand Tech Skills to Learn in 2023

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As companies increasingly hire for skills, not degrees, there is more opportunity than ever to break into tech or grow your career off the traditional beaten path. Major companies like Google, Delta, Mastercard and Bank of America have shifted to skills-based hiring. However, you might be asking: what exactly are those skills companies are hiring for? 

We spoke to General Assembly instructors and tech professionals at Uber and Doordash to uncover the top skills they see hiring managers looking for in 2023, whether you want to switch careers or land that promotion. Here are the 5 skills you should learn to take your career to the next level this year.

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How to Make a Career Change From Accounting to Tech: The Ultimate Guide

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Calling all bored accountants. 

If you’re feeling unengaged at work and ready for a change, you’re not alone. 

According to The CPA Journal, turnover rates at large firms saw a significant increase in 2019, reaching almost 19%  — which is an 18% increase from the previous year. In fact, in some cases, the journal found turnover rates as high as 30%.  

Given the changes taking place in the industry, this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. 

Like so many other industries, accounting is significantly impacted by new technology — from an increase in automation to new software entering the field — technology has changed the shape of the industry and the roles within it.

This article walks through why accountants are leaving their field, tech roles to consider, and three steps to get started on your career transition journey. 

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EMPOWERING AUSTRALIANS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CAREERS IN TECH

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The tech space is constantly changing and evolving. This is why it is such an exciting, challenging, and rewarding industry to work in. In this day and age, the key to a successful career in tech is to be equipped with the most relevant tech skills and to embrace lifelong learning, and be as curious and inquisitive as possible. 

According to the Tech Council of Australia, the Australian Government and the Australian tech sector have a shared commitment to create 1.2 million tech jobs in Australia by 2030. It is then forecasted that Australia will need to employ an additional 653,000 tech workers to meet this goal by the end of the decade. This is great news for those who want to transition into a tech career. It also means that the demand for tech courses has increased as people are looking for efficient modes of learning to be a part of this transformation. 

However, financial constraints can often get in the way of people receiving a quality education in their desired field, thus, limiting their potential to excel. In an economy where knowledge is power, how then can we make this knowledge more accessible to aspiring students? 

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Looking for a new career? Here are the 3 most promising tech jobs of 2023

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The tech industry experienced mass layoffs and budget cuts in 2022 that have many tech workers who were once flying high worried about job security. Despite the gloomy news, however, the labor market for tech talent continues to be strong. While big tech firms are making headlines for drastic cuts, tech talent remains in high demand across other industries. 

For example, industries like finance, healthcare, government and automotive, all of which have yet to fully digitally transform, are hiring tech talent. The City of San Francisco—a verifiable tech hub that should, in theory, have unlimited access to tech talent—recently shared that its vacancy rate for IT workers is 21%. 

For workers willing to look beyond big tech, well paid opportunities continue to abound. At General Assembly, we help people break into a career in tech so they can increase their wages and land a job with great benefits and working conditions—ultimately, improving their quality of life. 

Despite today’s economic landscape, we still believe this is a path to prosperity and that opportunities abound for tech workers. In fact, not having a technical skill set could leave you less secure in your career going forward as everything goes digital. 

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Why Entrepreneurs Should Learn to Code

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Entrepreneurship is on the rise. The pandemic led to a startup boom in the United States, with applications for new businesses increasing by 24%. Then, The Great Resignation accelerated the trend, with applications increasing 55% from 2019 levels in 2021. 

If you’re thinking about jumping on the entrepreneurship train, learning to code might not be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, computer science isn’t typically found in a business school curriculum. 

However, aspiring entrepreneurs should consider learning to code for a few reasons. Learning to code can help you launch your business faster, make better technology decisions, improve your creative problem solving skills, and better understand how your business operates. 

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Alumni Stories: Isobel Kieran From Publishing to Product Design

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Learning the knowledge and skills you need to work in a new field can seem daunting and pointless after years of experience working in one industry. Family responsibilities make it difficult for many people to dedicate additional time, effort, and finances to retraining.

After working in the same field for ten years as a creative director for crowdfunding independent publisher Unbound, General Assembly alumna Isobel Kieran retrained with GA and found her new career as a product designer with Red Badger. She sat down with career coach Jaz Broughton to talk about why she’s thankful she put aside her fears to invest in her future. 

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ASK ME ANYTHING: YOUR BURNING TECH QUESTIONS ANSWERED, LIVE.

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Making a career change can be as intimidating as it is exhilarating. On one hand, you’re excited about a new adventure, but on the other hand, you want to be sure or at least have an idea of where you’re headed. That’s why we’re excited to offer a new Livestream Series: Ask Me Anything.  

Whether you’re ready to start a new tech career or just exploring the options, our Ask Me Anything sessions are a risk-free way to get your burning questions answered live by an active industry professional. No matter where you are in the process, you can know you’re making an informed decision.

Join us on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm Eastern, starting January 18th. 

SCHEDULE:
Wed, Jan 18, 2023 – Ask me Anything: UX Design with Jason Early

Wed, Feb 01, 2023 – Ask me Anything: Software Engineering with Taylor Darneille

Wed, Feb 15, 2023 – Ask me Anything: UX Design with Brittney Posternock

Wed, Mar 01, 2023 – Ask me Anything: Software Engineering with Travis Huang

Wed, Mar 08, 2023 – Ask me Anything: Data Analytics with Branden Kornell

Wed, Mar 15, 2023 – Ask me Anything: UX Design with Todd Chambers

Wed, Mar 22, 2023 – Ask me Anything: Software Engineering with Taylor Darneille

Wed, Mar 29, 2023 – Ask me Anything: Data Analytics with Candace Roberts

Please note that all AMA instructors are US based.