Albrina Mendes, Author at General Assembly Blog

Fast Break Your Career Change: Players You Need on Your Team

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March marks the beginning of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament, also known as the Month of Madness. The tournament is known for its unpredictable upsets and exciting games, with fans filling out brackets and following the action closely. March Madness is a major sporting event in the United States, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the games on television or streaming online. 

But what if we told you that the concept of March Madness could also be applied to the world of a career change? Basketball teams are usually composed of 12-15 athletes, all of whom share a common goal and work together to achieve it, supporting and trusting one another. 

Just like in basketball, you need a team of people on your side to help you navigate the twists and turns of a career change. Making a career change often means entering a new industry or field, which can be daunting and uncertain. A good support system can provide the emotional and practical support you need, helping you stay motivated, focused, and positive as you pursue your goals.

This article explores the different types of people you need on your team when considering a career change and handy tips and tricks to fast-break your career transition. 

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ChatGPT: A Tool, Not an Enemy for Tech Jobs

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Have you tried ChatGPT yet?

Open AI’s latest chatbot is gaining people’s attention globally for its human-like responses and sophisticated capabilities. From writing stories and workout plans to essays, code, and more — at first use, it seems like there’s nothing ChatGPT can’t do. 

But what exactly is ChatGPT? And, more importantly, why should you care? 

ChatGPT is a natural language processing software that launched in December 2022. It’s a chatbot that answers your questions in real-time based on a huge pool of internet data and other sources. 

As natural language processing software becomes increasingly prevalent in life and at work, it will impact the way we operate. While you don’t need to worry about AI robots taking over any time soon, you do need to stay on top of these tech advancements and adapt as needed. 

With a proper understanding of their capabilities, AI tools won’t be a threat to you. They’ll be an aid. In this article, we’ll explore why ChatGPT is a helpful tool for people working in tech, how it can enhance productivity, and the soft skills that are more important than ever. 

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Today’s Talent of Tomorrow: How the Skills-First Revolution Can Revolutionize Your Business

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Facing a labor market that has been incredibly tight for years, and a global talent pool where less than half of potential candidates hold a college degree, companies have expanded the search for talent beyond traditional applicants. That’s why some employers are overhauling recruitment strategies and eliminating college degree requirements in favor of skills-based hiring.  

Between 2017 and 2019, employers reduced degree requirements for 46% of middle-skill and 31% of high-skill positions. The pandemic accelerated this trend, especially in hard-to-hire industries like Software Engineering, UX Design and Data Analytics. Major technology companies like Alphabet (Google), Meta, Netflix, Airbnb, IBM and Apple have since dropped degree requirements for many technical roles. 

If you are ready to consider overhauling our approach to recruiting tech talent, read on for the download on skills-based hiring. 

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The Top 5 Industries Hiring Software Engineers

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With news of layoffs and uncertainty in the tech industry, you may be wondering if you are making the wrong career choice by becoming a programmer. Are there any companies hiring software engineers still out there? 

Good news: Beyond the doom-and-gloom headlines, there are plenty of job opportunities for software engineers across all kinds of companies. 

Software developer was named the #1 best job in 2023 by U.S. News and World Report. It scored this honor due to its high demand, job growth, low unemployment and stress levels, and work-life balance. Demand for software engineers is expected to grow by 25% by 2031. 

In more good news, tech companies are far from the only industry hiring software engineers. Every type of company from banks to hospitals to defense contractors needs software engineers to build infrastructure and apps for their business.  

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Black Women Tech Inventors: Breaking Barriers and Making History

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Throughout history, Black women have been trailblazers in the tech industry, despite facing societal challenges and inequities. Inventing groundbreaking products and pushing the boundaries of what is possible has evolved. In the 21st century, this legacy of innovation continues as Black women continue to make their mark.

To celebrate Black History Month we are highlighting Black women who are making a huge impact on today’s society. Keep reading to hear their stories…

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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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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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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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Unwrap Your Career Change: How to Talk About It With Your Family Over The Holidays

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The holidays have arrived, and with them, time spent catching up with family and old friends. It’s only a matter of time before someone asks, “So, what’s new with you?” 

For the recently anointed career changer, this could mean breaking the news for the first time about a big life decision. 

This can be daunting, but bringing in your support system during this time of transformation is a good thing. You want your inner circle rallying to support you and lift you up, because inevitably, there will be bumps along the way. 

Take comfort in knowing you aren’t alone on this mission. The percentage of employed people who left their jobs voluntarily in September rose 15.9%—the highest level seen in 30 years. Despite a slowing economy, dissatisfied workers still aren’t afraid to walk away. You (and your family) should be proud to join these ranks.  

If you’re nervous about having tough conversations about your career change around the holidays, we put together a guide to help you navigate. 

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