When you’ve already attained an MBA, you probably think that you’ve got it made. Many graduates follow the crowd by doing what their alumni plan to do but later find that they’re dissatisfied with their choice. Over a quarter of graduates after 12 months decide it’s time to change to a different kind of career than what might be traditionally expected of them.
If you have an MBA but wish to branch out into technology to get that dream tech job, how would you go about it? In this article, we look at the stepping stone from MBA student to a graduate and then pivoting into the tech field.
What Type of Tech Role Would You Be Suitable For?
Once you’ve studied successfully for your MBA online (click here for a well-regarded online course), then it’s time to decide where you go from there.
There’s not just one type of tech job; actually, there are many. Which one will suit your talents and abilities (some taught, some natural) depends on you.
For example, BizOps relies on different technical knowledge than working in Big Data where analyzing what customers are interested in purchasing is the main goal. Software development or project management apps for IT teams are distinct areas again that require differing amounts of technical ability, like learning to code, to work in those roles.
Also, what about the possibility of being a project manager or a finance director for a software company? An active interest in tech can overlap with the corporate finance knowledge acquired through an MBA course.
What Sort of Company Will Be a Good Fit Culturally?
Tech companies have very specific types of cultures. You’re dealing with people who are highly focused but less social than the typical employee. In this environment, being a star coder is what counts, or a creative mind that originates new ideas that benefit the startup company producing innovative mobile apps.
Then there are older tech companies that have more of a traditional corporate culture that you may recognize more readily.
Which type of culture do you think will suit you? Also, tech tends to be younger on the development side, so how well will you fit in with the average demographic mix?
Consider Work/Life Balance
Careers in tech tend not to have much work/life balance unless they’re set up that way from the start.
When working in a startup, the hours are usually long. The dive into agile development practices leads to development sprints lasting days or weeks, pushing to complete the next iteration of the software. It’s intense, and it’s not for everyone.
Other companies that have a tech involvement operate with a greater work/life balance. They’ve been operating for many years and see the value in not burning out their employees.
It’s important to consider what kind of lifestyle you want outside of work and how too many working hours may interfere with that. Then plan a career around these goals to avoid a conflict between the tech career you’ve chosen and the hours you’re required to work to get ahead.
Whatever you decide, understand that you’ll be in your chosen career for many years to come. Choose your path wisely to avoid disappointment.
