As the founder of a career mentorship platform for women, I spend my days speaking with people who want to change careers but aren’t interested in starting over. They’re terrified that taking risks might mean losing everything they’ve achieved. They agonize about explaining “gaps” on their resume during an interview or at networking events.
Lucky for them (and you), I have good news: changing careers doesn’t mean sacrificing your past. It means building from the experience you have and leveraging that in a strategic way.
What’s more? There’s a simple (seriously, it’s four steps) way to incorporate both your career change and past experience into your elevator pitch. It’s the perfect solution to that dreaded question: “So, what do you do?” for those of us who, frankly, have done a whole lot.
There’s no better feeling than stepping into the new year with fresh perspectives and a re-energised soul. And there’s no better time to get a fresh start on working toward your goals.
If progressing in your career is on your 2024 to-do list, register for our new Break into Tech series. This week-long virtual event series will give you an inside look at what it’s like to really work in tech.
Then, take advantage of our exclusive Break into Tech discount to get $750 off a bootcamp or $250 off a short course in your local currency.*
HOW TO ACTIVATE YOUR DISCOUNT
Attend a Break into Tech event.
Find your course.
Start your application and jump on a call with our Admissions team.
Mention code BiT-2024 to activate your discount.
Start your course between January 22 and April 30, 2024 (inclusive).
We also offer a variety of financing options, so be sure to talk with your Admissions Specialist to see what you qualify for. We’re here to help you find your best financing fit and can’t wait to help you make 2024 your best year yet.
*TERMS & CONDITIONS
Students must be 18 years or older.
Discount eligible for legal residents of Singapore, Australia, and the U.K.
Discount amount of $750 off a single bootcamp and/or $250 off a single short course.
Discount amount applies in student’s local currency.
Discount is applicable only for bootcamps or short courses. Paid workshops aren’t eligible for the discount.
The discount can only be applied to one bootcamp and/or one short course per student.
The discount isn’t available for those already enrolled in a bootcamp or short course, and can’t be applied retroactively.
Prospective students must start their course between January 22 and April 30, 2024 (inclusive) to be eligible for the discount.
Discount may not be applied to the non-refundable registration fee.
Withdrawals will forfeit deposit if using the discount during enrollment.
Tech skills are in high demand, leading many people to consider going back to school for tech skills. Most of the fastest growing roles today are tech related, including AI and machine learning specialists, data analysts, and systems engineers, according to The World Economic Forum.
So, you might be wondering: what’s the best way to go about gaining those skills? Should you take the higher education route and go back to university? Should you do a tech bootcamp? Are tech bootcamps really worth it?
It’s important to choose the right education path based on your circumstances and learning style. Let’s dive into the details of a coding bootcamp vs. degree and help you determine which is right for you.
In August 2023, Daniele Grassi was appointed President and CEO of General Assembly to lead our continued evolution and ensure we continue to provide clients like Adobe, Disney, Booz Allen Hamilton, BNP Paribas Cardif, Guardian, L’Oreal, and Microsoft the best-in-class talent and training solutions they’ve come to expect from us. Gretchen and Jourdan are strategic hires brought on to help advance our expansion mission.
Meet Gretchen
Newly hired Gretchen Jacobi, Head of Enterprise, brings over a decade of expertise in innovative talent development and talent supply strategies. She’ll be focused on helping businesses rethink the way they build and retain talent through customized upskilling and reskilling solutions, as well as scalable emerging talent pipelines, including Hire-Train-Deploy and apprenticeships. She’ll also expand our public-private partnerships with governments and nonprofits, which have driven economic mobility for over 10,000 workers traditionally locked out of high-demand careers. Prior to joining GA, Gretchen held roles at Revature, as SVP, Head of Mid-Market, and at Flatiron School, as VP, Business Development and Head of Career Services.
“As the half-life of skills becomes even shorter and AI continues to boom, global companies, workers, and entire economies are grappling with how to remain relevant, competitive, and productive. GA addresses this challenge by partnering with the most forward-thinking enterprises and governments in the world to invest in their most precious assets — their people. I’m thrilled to grow GA’s reach and impact at a time when solutions to the skilled workforce crisis are more needed than ever.”
– Gretchen Jacobi
Meet Jourdan
On the consumer side, Jourdan Hathaway has recently joined General Assembly as our new Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). With more than 20 years of edtech and professional services experience in marketing and executive management roles, Jourdan will lead our global marketing organization. This includes brand, product marketing, growth and demand gen, performance, journey nurture, and revenue operations for our product portfolio of bootcamps, short form courses, and workshops. Jourdan’s expertise in creating an outstanding learner experience and operating a business at scale will support her efforts to drive demand for our offerings. She’ll also work side-by-side with our Sales and Product teams to help unlock future growth. Prior to joining GA, Jourdan spent 12 years in online education at Wiley University Services, most recently as the SVP of Operations.
”This role allows me to blend my passion for shaping the future of work with my expertise in marketing, operations, and technology. I’m excited to join General Assembly, long known as a pioneer in the career transformation space, and to help shepherd the business into its next phase.”
– Jourdan Hathaway
Both Gretchen and Jourdan will serve on our executive leadership team, reporting directly to Daniele Grassi, President and Chief Executive Officer.
“I’m thrilled to welcome industry veterans Gretchen Jacobi and Jourdan Hathaway to General Assembly. Too many businesses continue to report that they can’t find the skilled workers they need. As the problem widens, we need to find new solutions. I’m confident that Gretchen and Jourdan’s complementary contributions will make a significant and positive impact on the next phase of GA.”
A new year means a chance to learn new skills and unlock new career opportunities.. We’re here to break down the top tech skills that really matter in 2024 and help you kickstart your career self-reinvention. Let’s jump right into it.
Another year, another resolution (or five, or six) that’s so well intentioned — but never actually accomplished.
We’ve got a better idea. This year, ditch the unattainable resolutions and instead empower yourself with an evolution into tech. Whether your goal in 2024 is to level-up in your current role, or completely transition into a new tech industry, we’ve got something to help you start your evolution off on the right foot. Or the left. It doesn’t matter to us — just take the first step.
Join us for a four-week long New Year’s Evolution series of FREE skills, events, and live Q&A sessions with the GA team and subject matter experts. Every Monday through Friday between January 22 and February 9, we’ll have three, week-long free skills series where you’ll get 10 hours of hands-on practice with today (and tomorrow)’s most in-demand tech skills like coding, data, and UX design.
Rebecca Szymczak, aka Cardsy B, author of The Saturn Diaries and tarot reader to the stars, consulted her tarot deck and has tips for which signs should leverage January’s new year momentum to go all-in on exciting new projects and which signs should pause and review the 2023’s lessons to find clarity before taking big risks. She also has some insight into prosperity — both current roles and new ventures — coming in where you may least expect it.
Looking back at this past year, we moved through a numerological seven-year (2 + 0 + 2 + 3 = 7). Sevens indicate a time of pause, planning, and recalibration. (You can also find your individual numerology for the year by adding the single digits of your birth day and month to 2024.) As a collective, we’re now moving into an eight year, and the seeds we sowed throughout this past year are now beginning to bloom, bringing feelings of both excitement and responsibility. Because manifestation happens more efficiently in an eight year, intention-setting and priorities are key.
Setting Goals for 2024
If you need more clarity on exactly what your focus is by New Year’s, the second week of January is an additional powerful portal for setting goals for 2024. The first new moon of the year arrives in Capricorn on January 11. This new moon shines light on the inspired action needed to seize opportunities now within reach. Years that add up to eight carry the energetic signature of creation and achievement, which require commitment and endurance. Starting this January, it’ll be progressively more important to hone in on how we recalibrate and nurture ourselves. Think of the start of the year as preparing for the marathon of 2024. It’s important to strategize early on to utilize our energy and resources for the long game.
On the bright side, all the tools needed have already been provided, as the lessons and trials of the past three years set us up with everything necessary to succeed in 2024. The challenging news is that we alone are the only ones responsible for the results. Utilize the year’s first weeks to specify your intentions for 2024, and then take the actions required to obtain what you’re calling in.
Significant milestones and evolution are in store for all signs this year. Remember, in an eight year, anything is possible. So read on to see what the cards have in store.
Layoffs have become an unsettling norm across industries. Companies that rapidly staffed up during the pandemic in response to surging demand are trimming staff as demand wanes. It’s a vicious cycle — many of these companies will be hiring again within the next year to keep up with a constantly shifting consumer landscape.
Most recent layoffs have disproportionately affected non-technical employees, hitting departments like human resources, recruiting, and marketing hard. They’ve also had other ripple effects — shelving diversity initiative progress and causing anxiety throughout the workforce. And to add to it all, companies are still struggling to recruit for tech roles and continuing to invest in digital transformation efforts in hopes they’ll be more efficient and competitive in the future. A future that’s already here.
TL;DR: There’s a severe imbalance in the labor force, and companies need to think about modernizing their workforce like they think about modernizing their tech. It’s time to move past the band-aid effect of layoffs and upgrade to a truly sustainable talent strategy.
Tips from VP of Impact and Experience, Dr. Jeffrey Bergin
About Dr. Jeffery Bergin
Dr. Jeff Bergin, Vice President of Learning and Experience at General Assembly, specializes in accelerated technical training for career and workforce readiness, including ethical AI use. Dr. Bergin has a strong background in learner-centered pedagogies and online learning design and is the editor of the recently published book, “Supporting Self-Regulated Learning and Student Success in Online Courses.” Dr. Bergin has also held leadership roles at Universal Technical Institute, Macmillan Learning, and Pearson and has published and presented on various online learning topics.
How Tech Workers Can Practice Responsible AI
As technology continues to disrupt how we approach work, practicing responsible AI is paramount.
Here are 5 key steps from Dr. Jeff to ensure you’re contributing ethically to the AI landscape:
