How to use your social-science background in order to find your first High tech job- a few tips (and a bonus)

Many times, working in high-tech industries sounds like a far-fetched dream for those studying social science. As a student for Behavioral science, I knew from a very early stage that I’m interested in the main resource that all organisations share — their people- and hence have to find some ways to make myself acquainted with those organisations from within.

On my journey to becoming an Organisational Psychologist, I was privileged enough to work in a variety of workplaces- from social NGO’s, to a small, agile, entrepreneurship-oriented team (Tech7), to a big, global high-tech oriented corporation (Microsoft) and then back to the non-high-tech field.

These are my perspectives for those of you wishing to start a career in technological industries, without studying anything technology-related. There are many possible ways and each story is different, but these are the tips I can offer from my experiences:

1. Examine your starting point and your final goal-

“High tech” is a wide and not always well-defined world, so it is important for you to explorer, to figure why you wish to move to this sector/to change your current one and to know where you are aiming for. Imagine yourself the work field as a 2by2 matrix:

You are standing now in a certain place, but asking to progress diagonally and change both your current position and the sector in which you currently work. This means, actually, doing a double leap- not only you change the setting and trying to enter a new world, but you are also doing it while trying to climb the ladder and upgrade to a better role. Making this change gradually, meaning to change only one of the two at a time, will probably be easier and help you make a smoother transition. As Forest Gump said wisely: “If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably not wind up there”.

2. Know your skills and know the language-

Believe it or not, but many of the skills you acquired might be beneficial for the high-tech industry. However, you need to learn how to market yourself and phrase your abilities according to the language used in these places. Were you ever in charge of schedules in your scholarship? Arranged events for students? Guided or managed a group of people? These abilities are highly necessary and appreciated in the high-tech industries, but you need to learn how to articulate them relevantly. Business administration, employee experience specialist, specific project manager or even qualitative data analysis are all required positions in high tech companies, which use abilities you may have gained in other sectors. When you first start your journey, write all the things you have done in the past and look whether they have any parallel definitions or terms within the world you are aiming for.

3. Do your homework-

I know that when you think about “high tech” you instantly think about computer science or electrical engineering, BUT, there are many other positions, not technology-oriented, that might gain you the entering ticket for these sectors. Did you know that most of the big high tech companies hold a Social responsibility department? Did you know that many companies have a learning and training department? That in order to be an assistant you don’t necessarily need to be a professional expert? These fields are indeed quite niche, but they exist. In order to get to them you have to do your research- what kinds of non-technological roles are there? What do I need to do in order to qualify? Where are they being published?. You must engage in the research (and as we said- learn the language) in order to find them and successfully apply for them.

4. Look for the organisation, look for the role, DO NOT look for the title-

While hunting for jobs, first look at the job description and see whether it appeals to you and whether you meet the requirements. Looking at the title, however, shouldn’t be your main priority- If you like the description and think it fits you, it doesn’t matter what the name of the role is. Another thing you can do if you are looking to enter into a specific sector is to look for the organisation. Look for a place in which you will be able to grow, in a company that fits your aspirations. You are a junior, and placing your leg in the right door needs to be your first priority. Once you’ll settle in the right company and in a position that fits you, you will be able to grow within it, to hear first about available positions and, eventually, to upgrade your title.

5. Be active in your search-

After finalizing your understanding of the positions you are interested in, learning the language and mapping the relevant organisations- it’s time to get active. Let everyone know that you are looking for a job and what you are looking for. Update your LinkedIn profile accordingly. Actively send your CV to relevant companies (even if they are not currently recruiting). You never know where your CV will end up and who will read it. You can never know what will be the lead which will help you fulfill your dream. It’s like looking for a parking spot in Tel Aviv- search everywhere, use whatever help you can get, because eventually you only need one good place J

Before I finish, a small (but important!) bonus for all of you who made it so far-

“High-tech” may sound like a shiny, desirable environment to work at, but there are many other things you must consider when looking for the right place for you. If the role doesn’t allow you to evolve, to fully develop your skills and to shine as an individual- the sector is just an empty box. If your values are not congruent with those of the organisation- your performances won’t be as good as they can be elsewhere. If you find yourself compromising on the content, on the atmosphere and on your personal growth and abilities- you are not in the right place. These aspects need to be what guides you, not the sector. Make sure you pay attention to all of them when applying and choosing your workplace, because if you are not finding the right place for you and only looking for the allegedly “prestige”- you’ll be burnt out quite fast.

Good luck!