• by Kathy Schneider , Columnist, July 13, 2018

I started my marketing career as an assistant brand manager for mayonnaise, marmalade and breakfast cereals. Now I’m the CMO of a global technology services company.

I’m proof you don’t need a computer science degree to have a successful tech industry career. What you do need is genuine curiosity and a drive to learn. 

Whether you want to move into tech, or simply accelerate your career in your industry of choice, here are seven ways to prove yourself, take on more responsibility and stretch into new roles. 

1. Be realistic. When changing industries, make sure the new one actually interests you. When reading industry publications, do you feel excitement or do your eyes glaze over? Without an innate interest, it’ll be tough to ignite your drive to excel. 

2. Build your story. Many of the skills I developed in marketing consumer goods were transferrable to my years in the tech industry. Inventory your best skills, then connect them to a job in the tech space, even if you lack direct experience. 

3. Demonstrate your expertise. Seek out training, courses and certifications to help you make the career transition. While some people — myself included — opt for a formal degree such as an MBA, shorter-term courses and certifications may be the right path for others. These can differentiate you from other candidates and demonstrate your knowledge foundation in a new field. 

4. Network internally. In some companies, executive exposure is key to finding advocates for your career development. Networking should always start with bringing value. When asking for time with executives, offer to update them on how your projects are supporting the business’s priorities, for example. Find openings in meetings to connect one of your projects to the business’s goals. You’ll share results of your work while showing you understand the bigger picture.

5. Never stop challenging yourself. While challenging projects should have executive support, don’t play it too safe. Showing that you can drum up resources to push a project across the finish line can open doors and expand your career path. 

If you become a specialist, you have a narrower path of progression. If you handle a variety of projects successfully, you can jump into other areas based on your growing reputation for pulling off even the toughest assignments. 

6. Keep your eyes open for lateral opportunities. This shows executives that you’re invested in making an impact for the business, whether it’s taking on new teams or stretching into new areas. Don’t say you want to be VP of a certain department; say you want to manage larger teams or influence larger parts of the business. This demonstrates your genuine interest in leadership roles, not just titles that attract headhunters. 

7. Never stop learning. You’ve probably heard this before, and that’s because it’s so important. There’s no substitute for being a student of your industry. Read to fill in your blind spots. Read what executives find important. Study the publications that matter most in your industry. Invest your time in learning the language of your new domain. 

Building a resilient career

You don’t need to study or even start in technology to build a successful career in the industry — I’m just one example — but you do need to position yourself to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. 

Making the leap into a new industry and establishing yourself as a leader takes dedication and drive. A bit of luck helps as well, but by following these seven points, you can create more opportunities and be prepared to seize them when they arrive.