Here’s a little about me:
I graduated with a liberal arts degree, fully intent on becoming a lawyer. After college, I took the first job I could find, juggling two part-time retail positions just to get on my feet. Not long after, I landed a position selling mattresses at a well-known retailer. I worked 12-hour days on a $34,000 base salary with commission, all while trying to break into the legal field. But as time went on, my original goal started to feel less and less aligned with my reality.
When I had a child, it activated my fight-or-flight response, and I knew I had to position myself where the money and stability were.
Then one day, a good friend reached out about an opportunity in IT software sales. It offered me a Monday-to-Friday schedule and a $41,000 base salary with commission—a clear step up. While working in that role, I became familiar with the software suite we used and started troubleshooting issues myself to avoid submitting tickets where possible. When an IT support position opened at the company, I jumped at the chance, even though I didn’t have formal experience.
I was determined to succeed. I spent time outside of work researching common issues and learning as much as I could. To my surprise, I genuinely enjoyed the work, and I began to see IT as a viable career path.
That opportunity to transition was life-changing. Since then, I’ve gone back to school for a master’s degree to deepen my knowledge, held multiple IT roles that shaped my expertise (and I’m still growing), and joined professional IT groups that have introduced me to incredible peers in the field.
This post isn’t about bragging—it’s a testimony. I spent four years in college preparing for one path, only to end up somewhere completely different. I found a small opening into an industry I wasn’t initially sure of, and through diligence, curiosity, and intention, I’ve built a career I’m proud of.
For anyone considering a career switch into IT, here’s my advice:
- Be curious. Curiosity will take you further than you imagine and open doors you didn’t even know existed.
- Recognize your transferable skills. You already have valuable skills from past roles—take the time to understand how they apply to IT.
For example, before my IT career, I had:
- Retail Associate Experience: Face-to-face customer interactions taught me how to handle difficult situations and think on my feet. Even in IT, customer service skills are essential—someone is always a customer, even if they’re internal.
- Sales Experience (including IT Sales): In addition to customer service, I learned to master product knowledge and overcome objections—skills that translate well to IT problem-solving.
- IT Support: This role taught me the importance of knowledge and empathy, both of which are rooted in my previous experiences in retail and sales.
The takeaway: You are more than enough. Learning technical skills is important, but your soft skills are equally valuable. Leverage them to build the career you want.
If you’re looking for guidance or mentorship as you navigate breaking into the IT industry, let’s connect! I’d love to chat over coffee and learn about your goals to help you find direction.
Here’s the link to set up a coffee chat:https://calendly.com/carlghayes/coffee-chat
Sincerely,
Carl + Alt + Del
