Would You Switch from Sales to IT or Software Engineering?

Many professionals have found their way into software engineering after discovering a love for creating something tangible. Take my friend for instance. Before he transitioned into software engineering, he was a marketer in the tech world. Over time, he experimented with various types of marketing, including event management, public relations, SEO, content creation, digital advertising, and email marketing. Despite his efforts, he never felt entirely satisfied and lacks a perfect fit.

His last role was at a personal finance startup with significant brand recognition. The company was known for the motto 'Content is King,' but they had a plethora of editors and journalists compared to their handful of software engineers. A year after he joined, the company decided to adapt its strategy. They realized that content alone was not enough. With numerous new personal finance startups launching mobile apps, the urgency to innovate became apparent, leading them to streamline their editorial side and rapidly hire product, engineering, and design professionals.

When I asked him why he decided to change occupations, he shared that an inner feeling pushed him to reconsider his career path. In his own words, 'I like to create things. I am at my most inspired when I can build. Software is the modern means of constructing something wonderful. A friend at a software company showed me the power of software engineering. It's the modern-day industrial revolution. You can transform an idea into a minimum viable product, test it with real-time user feedback, and the only limit is your own ability. That’s incredibly exciting.'

Seeing ideas take shape was almost like breathing life into inanimate objects. They were his ideas, and he could mold them as he pleased. As long as he had the technical skills, the potential was limitless.

Is this something you’ve considered too? Changing your career from sales to IT or software engineering can bring profound rewards. Whether you're inspired by the challenge, the creative potential, or the technical innovation, there's a lot to offer in the tech world. If adopting a new career means you'll be hands-on, inspired by a new set of challenges, and able to build something of your own, it could very well be a decision worth making.

As you ponder the move, remember that success often follows doing something you love. Whether it's software engineering, IT, or any other field that captivates your interests, the journey is more fulfilling when it aligns with your passions.