Career Development Category Archives - General Assembly Blog | Page 9

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

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Are you an accountant interested in transitioning to the tech industry? This article explores various paths to make that transition, whether it's a complete career switch or acquiring new skills. By breaking down the journey into manageable steps, you'll be on your way to a fulfilling and successful change. Read more to get started.

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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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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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.

CAREER TAROTSCOPES FOR JANUARY 2023

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Rebecca Szymczak, aka Cardsy B, author of The Saturn Diaries and tarot reader to the stars, consulted her cards and has tips for which signs should make some New Year’s changes at work and which should use this month’s grounded Capricorn vibes to move forward methodically. She also has some insight into abundance- both in terms of finance and recognition – coming in where you may least expect it. 

January comes in strong with the Saturn-ruled sign of Capricorn kicking off the new year. This is likely to cause an increase in motivation toward goals as Capricorn is known as the hardest-working sign in the zodiac. On January 6, we have the full moon in Cancer, bringing in an opportunity to look at where you can prioritize self-care and set up a sustainable work/life balance for the new year. On Jan 17, Mercury, which has been in retrograde since Dec 29, heads direct. This helps communication with colleagues and clients run much more smoothly and efficiently. Whatever your sign, January is an exciting month for all signs, so read on to see what treats are in store.

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5 Ways to Actively Conquer Career-Changing Fear

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Are you reconsidering your career path?

The thought of taking on a whole new career can be terrifying—especially when it requires that you take a few steps backward to get there. Feelings of self-doubt are normal as you go from expert to student again, working hard to learn the new skills that will help you transition to a more fulfilling career.

Doing work you are passionate about is worth the hard work it takes to get there. With mindfulness and mental health practices, you can squash the very normal feelings of fear and doubt that come along with change. 

We’ll walk you through five helpful ways to conquer the fear of career transition and provide actionable steps to help you feel confident and prepared for whatever is next in your career journey.

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New Year, Same Career? 3 Ways to Get Started on Your Career Change Before the Ball Drops

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When it comes to the New Year, it’s well known as a time of renewal and new beginnings. Famously “out with the old and in with the new” is something we often remind ourselves of as we come closer to the end of a year. 

Amongst many other things, New Year’s Day is a celebration of having survived another 365 days, the period by which we keep a chronological record of our personal and professional lives. Your New Year’s resolutions may represent a deep need for you to exert some control over the future because we all know how dreadfully unpredictable the future may be. 

With a fresh new year, it may be time for a fresh new career. With 2023 just around the corner, you may be prompted to leave behind your old job and consider a new exciting career you will truly love. 

Keep reading to learn how you can leave your career change doubts behind in 2022 and start the New Year with a bang. 

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Despite The Recession A Tech Career Transition is a Good Move in Singapore

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The current landscape of the tech job market in Singapore is thriving. Despite the widespread layoffs at tech companies like Meta, Twitter, Amazon, and Shopee, Singapore’s tech talent market remains a job-seeker market. According to The Straits Times, vacancies have been on the rise since last year, noted the Ministry of Manpower, with the ratio of jobs to unemployed persons rising to 2.42 in March – the highest since 1998.

Undoubtedly, tech workers are still very much in demand as businesses of all facets work to build their digital infrastructure. However, with the rising demand for tech talent, Singapore has experienced a decline in qualified tech workers. 

Picking up essential future-proof tech skills will expand your horizons for exciting career changes like pivoting into tech and allow you to thrive professionally. Moreover, becoming familiar with technical skills can only improve the quality of life given that technology is at the core of the innovation ecosystem, encompassing 94% of Singapore’s government services.

This blog will give you more information on Singapore’s tech ecosystem, the type of tech jobs that are in demand and how to land your first tech job quickly.

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Is Switching Careers a Good Idea? 8 Truths About Changing Your Career

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As the holiday season approaches, many are taking the time to reflect on the past year. And some are even taking some much-needed time to slow down and unplug from work. Times like these are helpful in taking stock of the status quo and potentially even igniting change.

It’s a great time to ask yourself questions like: 

  • Are you looking forward to ramping up again in January? Or is going back to work making your stomach turn?
  • Is your job allowing you to take the vacation time you deserve? Or are boundaries between personal life and work life too blurred? 

These may lead you to consider much bigger questions like: 

  • Do you want to stay in your current job? Or is switching careers a good idea? 

We spend a lot of our time at work, and feeling uninspired or bored isn’t the only consequence of sticking with a job you hate. In fact, there can be dire repercussions, including risk of illness, lack of sleep, poor mental health, and stress —  just to name a few. 

For these reasons and more, making an intentional change to your professional journey can be immensely rewarding. As you reflect on your situation and consider your options, here are eight things to keep in mind for your career change journey. 

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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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