Thinking about leaving your current nontechnical job for something in tech? You’re not the only one eyeing the exit.
More people than ever are considering a tech field as their next career chapter—with good reason. Maybe you’re tired of hitting a ceiling in your current field. Maybe you’re craving more stability and flexibility (hello, 401K and PTO), or just a role that actually excites you. From coding and data to UX design, AI, IT, and even product management, the opportunities are wide open (and no, AI isn’t stealing all the jobs).
The real problem? Breaking into tech can sometimes feel like staring at a locked clubhouse with a giant “members only” sign. You picture Silicon Valley insiders, complicated code, and job postings that ask for “five years’ experience” in something that didn’t exist two years ago.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a computer science degree or a secret handshake to get in. You just need the right entry point, and the courage to start. That’s where General Assembly comes in.
Test the waters with no-risk learning
If you’re curious but not ready to commit, start small. A free class is your low-stakes introduction to the world of tech. Think of it as a test drive—no pressure, no payments, no surprise subscription fees. Just a couple of hours learning real-world skills with live instructors who know how to keep it engaging.
Whether you’re curious about coding, design, data, or even how AI is reshaping the workplace, there’s a class for that. You’ll walk away with a better sense of whether a transition into a tech role feels exciting, overwhelming, or somewhere in between. And if you want a little more detail, we broke down exactly what you get from a free tech skill class—and why it matters if you’re considering a career change.
Get a badge of honor (literally)
Once you’ve dipped your toe in, a workshop is the natural next step. These one-or-two-day deep dives give you the kind of skills you can actually add to your resume without needing months of study.
And the best part? You leave with a digital badge you can post to LinkedIn. It’s not just a gold star sticker—it’s employer-recognized proof you showed up, did the work, and leveled up. Check out our workshops if you’re ready for a confidence boost that also translates into career credibility.
Build career-ready skills without quitting your day job
Not everyone can drop everything to pivot careers overnight. That’s where our short courses come in. Forty hours of guided learning, flexible scheduling, and practical projects that help you apply what you’re learning immediately.
It’s the middle ground: more in-depth than a workshop, but not as big of a leap as a bootcamp. You’ll build real-world projects that show off your skills, boost your resume, and give you more clarity about whether this transition into a tech role is the direction you want to fully pursue.
Go all-in when you’re ready
Here’s the part where we get real: if you’re serious about making a full career change, a bootcamp is what gets you there. Our immersive programs are designed to take you from curious beginner to job-ready professional in as little as 12 weeks (and we also have part-time options that still get you there very quickly).
That’s hundreds of hours of hands-on training, expert instructors who live and breathe this stuff, and built-in career support to help you land the role you’ve been aiming for. We even gave the unfiltered details in this blog so you can see exactly what you’re signing up for.
It’s a big commitment. But if you’re ready to transition into a tech role for real—not just flirt with the idea—this is the step that changes everything.
Keep momentum with a strategy that works
Here’s the secret: successful career changers don’t just learn skills, they build momentum. Every free class, workshop, and project adds another piece to your story.
A few ways to keep it going:
- Share what you’re learning on LinkedIn. It keeps you accountable and shows recruiters you’re leveling up.
- Connect with alumni and other GA learners. You’re not the only one making this leap—you’ll find support (and maybe a study buddy).
- Start small projects you can showcase. Even a simple data dashboard or design mockup can get the attention of hiring managers.
The point is, your transition into a tech role doesn’t have to be a single leap. It can be a series of steps that build on each other until one day you look up and realize—you’ve made it.
Your next chapter starts here
Breaking into tech doesn’t require years of experience or a perfect roadmap. What it requires is the willingness to start, and the right support along the way.
If you’re curious, try a free class. If you’re building confidence, add a workshop (and that shiny digital badge). Want more depth? A short course gives you hands-on projects to show off. And when you’re ready to fully commit, a full-time or part-time bootcamp is your launchpad into a real tech career.
Whether you see yourself in software engineering, data, UX design, product management, AI, or IT & cybersecurity, your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. It just has to start. And if a transition into a tech role is calling your name, we’ll make sure the leap feels less like freefall and more like landing on solid ground.