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Transitioning from Food Service to Tech Careers: A Guide to Changing Your Career Direction

Moving from food service to a tech career? Uncover inspiring accounts and advice to facilitate a seamless and gratifying profession shift, courtesy of GA.

Transitioning from Food Service to Tech Careers: A Guide for Restaurant Workers Seeking a Career...
Transitioning from Food Service to Tech Careers: A Guide for Restaurant Workers Seeking a Career Change

Transitioning from Food Service to Tech Careers: A Guide to Changing Your Career Direction

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have found themselves reevaluating their careers, and one man, Peter Cho, has made a remarkable transition from the food service industry to software engineering.

Peter, a former line cook, was laid off due to the pandemic's impact on the restaurant industry. Instead of letting this setback discourage him, he seized the opportunity to pursue a new path. After a brief stint as an unpaid internship, he secured a full-time software engineering job at Discord, earning six figures.

For those considering a similar career change, the tech industry offers numerous opportunities. Jobs in tech are expected to grow at twice the national average, and many of these roles are remote-friendly, flexible, and come with attractive benefits such as health insurance, paid leave, remote work options, and education stipends.

But what skills are necessary to break into the tech world? For Front-End Web Developers, a firm grasp of at least one coding language, such as JavaScript, HTML3, CSS3, jQuery, GitHub, and Sublime Text, is essential. A degree or bootcamp certificate may also be required, along with a portfolio showcasing one's work.

Transferrable skills from other industries can also be valuable. For instance, Front-End Web Developers need attention to detail and the ability to work well under pressure, much like their counterparts in the food service industry. Similarly, empathy and creativity are important for UX designers, who create, test, and improve apps and websites.

Product managers, who balance business viability, technical challenges, and customer wants to lead products and features toward long-term success, also need a diverse skill set. Knowledge of common design and product management methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, or Kanban is necessary.

Data analysts, who collect, clean, analyze, and visualize data sets for decision-making, are also in high demand.

However, the restaurant industry, which has long been notorious for low wages and poor working conditions, is losing workers. According to a survey, nearly half of restaurant workers cited pay as the most important factor affecting their job satisfaction, and a major reason for leaving the industry. Other factors include a lack of flexibility, high labor costs, and challenging work environments.

Many are leaving for jobs outside the restaurant industry, seeking better pay, benefits, and work-life balance. Some workers move into other service or retail sectors that provide different working conditions or flexibility. Restaurants themselves are adapting by using lower-paid roles such as tablet runners and improving training/incentive programs to retain existing staff.

For those considering a career change, resources like the ebook "Career Changer's Guide To Doing Something Different" can provide valuable guidance. Additionally, a mentor and a cohort can offer support during this transition period.

In the end, Peter Cho's story serves as an inspiration for those looking to make a change. With determination, the right skills, and a little bit of luck, it's possible to transition from the kitchen to the tech world.

  • Realizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his career in the food service industry, Peter Cho opted to transition to software engineering, securing a full-time position at Discord.
  • The tech industry presents numerous opportunities for career development, with roles expected to grow at twice the national average and many positions being remote-friendly, flexible, and offering attractive benefits.
  • To break into the tech world, Front-End Web Developers require a solid understanding of coding languages like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, jQuery, GitHub, and Sublime Text, as well as education and a portfolio showcasing their work.
  • Transferable skills from other industries can be beneficial in the tech sector. For instance, Front-End Web Developers, like former line cooks, need attention to detail and the ability to work well under pressure.
  • For those interested in career change, resources such as the ebook "Career Changer's Guide To Doing Something Different" and mentors can provide valuable guidance during the transition period, as demonstrated by Peter Cho's successful transition from the kitchen to the tech world.

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