Is It Too Late to Switch Into Tech?

Remember when “Day in the Life of a Software Engineer” videos took over TikTok and YouTube?

You’d follow a developer waking up in their sleek high-rise apartment (barely making a dent in their six-figure salary), heading to a modern office stocked with free snacks, kombucha on tap, and maybe even a pool table between meetings.

It painted tech as the dream: flexible hours, endless perks, and salaries that made you rethink your entire career path.

But that image has changed.

Words like layoffs, AI disruption, and market uncertainty now dominate headlines that once celebrated ping-pong tables and startup perks. What used to feel like a sunny landscape now feels a little shaky.

Let’s be honest, the industry isn’t what it used to be, especially when it comes to employability and stability. The numbers tell the story:

• Over 100,000 jobs have been cut across US-based tech companies in 2025 so far. [Crunchbase News]

• About 62,114 workers were laid off across 137 companies in 2025. [NerdWallet UK]

• “Tech layoffs in 2025 marked the second-highest monthly total since early 2023.” [Forbes]

• The 2025 State of Talent report by SignalFire shows that companies are rewriting hiring rules, meaning what worked before may not work now. [SignalFire]

So what does this mean?

That “easy path” into tech, build a small app, show up at interviews, get hired, doesn’t really exist anymore. The market is tougher. Automation and AI are reshaping how work happens and who gets hired.

It’s okay to say that out loud. It doesn’t mean the door is closed.

It just means you’ll need a clearer strategy.

The landscape has shifted

I often share the story of how I broke into tech, but now, two years in, I can say with honesty that my path in isn’t necessarily the one that exists today. The standards have changed, and the playbook looks different.

• A few years ago, a simple weather app or calculator project might have caught attention. Today, generative AI can create those in seconds. They no longer prove skill.

• Companies now look for developers who understand the bigger picture: DevOps, pipelines, cloud infrastructure, sound architecture, cybersecurity, load balancing. Not just how to write code, but how to keep systems alive in the real world.

• Knowing how to code is the baseline. Knowing how to code in context, how to collaborate, use AI tools wisely, and think across disciplines, is what stands out now.

It’s not too late to enter tech. But it’s time to be more intentional. The market rewards people who think beyond syntax and show they understand systems.

Four Ways to Make Yourself Employable oTday

1. Build something real

When I started, I proudly showcased my first API project and a few JavaScript experiments. Cute, but basic.

Today, employers want to see that you can build something that actually works in the real world.

Aim for:

One or two projects that go beyond the front end. Include a database, APIs, authentication, deployment, and maybe even a simple CI/CD pipeline or cloud setup. Show how it handles errors or scales.

Why it matters:

Companies are hiring for developers who understand how software lives, breaks, and gets fixed, not just how it’s written.

2. Learn how to use generative AI

This isn’t hype anymore. Most tech teams use AI tools in their workflow. If you can show you already use them well, you’re ahead.

Here’s what helped me:

• I learned prompting frameworks like PEARL (Prompt → Example → Ask → Review → Loop) to get better results when using AI tools during builds.

• I also studied AI fundamentals, not to become a researcher, but to understand how these tools work and how to integrate them into projects.

Try this:

Pick a small problem and use gen-AI to prototype a solution. Document it in your portfolio.

For example, “Used LLMs to generate documentation, refactor code, and assist with testing.”

That shows you’re not just aware of AI; you’re applying it.

3. Strengthen your soft skills

When I entered tech, I noticed something: writing code is one part of the job, but communicating well is another.

If you’re coming from a non-tech background (like I did from pharmacy), you already bring valuable skills. You understand complex systems, can work with different kinds of people, and can explain technical ideas clearly.

In interviews:

Talk about how you’ve collaborated, handled feedback, or worked with cross-functional teams. Be enthusiastic, show curiosity, and let your motivation come through.

Employers often say, “Yes, they can code, but can they collaborate?”

Be the one who can do both.

4. Choose a coding bootcamp carefully

I took the bootcamp route through Code First Girls, and it was one of my best decisions.

What made it work was how closely it was tied to industry needs. The program didn’t just teach syntax; it taught teamwork, deployment, and project delivery.

If you’re exploring this path:

Look for bootcamps that offer:

• Hiring partnerships

• Portfolio reviews

• Mentorship and placement support

• Up-to-date courses covering DevOps, CI/CD, cloud, and AI

Your next three steps

1. Pick one portfolio project that feels ambitious but manageable. Include a backend, frontend, and deployment. Start it this week.

2. Spend 30 minutes a day learning an AI skill or prompting method like PEARL.

3. Research three modern bootcamps. Ask about hiring support and partnerships. Choose one by the end of the month.

Final thoughts

It’s not too late to break into tech.

But it is too late to rely on the basics.

The industry is evolving quickly, and it’s asking for more from us, more depth, more adaptability, more understanding of the bigger picture.

Learn widely. Build intentionally. Stay curious.

Until next time,

Ruth