Before diving in, a little about our GA guest blogger, Salma (in her words)
After 15 years in teaching, including leading the business department at England¡¯s largest college, I boldly transitioned into edtech¡ªa move that came with challenges but opened doors to incredible growth and impact. Now, as an Instructor Manager at 足球竞彩网 Assembly, I source, train, and coach world-class instructors, driving transformative learning experiences in tech education.
With 17+ years of expertise in operations, strategy, and education¡ªand firsthand experience of navigating a career shift¡ªI¡¯m passionate about helping women break into tech and addressing the industry¡¯s gender imbalance as a qualified career coach.
I believe it¡¯s never too late to rewrite your story. Let¡¯s connect on?LinkedIn?to talk about careers, tech, or anything in between¡ªdon¡¯t hesitate to reach out and say hi.
Changing careers isn¡¯t just about learning new tools or updating your CV. It¡¯s about thinking differently, about yourself, your skills, and what¡¯s possible.
In my own journey from teaching to becoming an Instructor Manager in tech, I¡¯ve seen firsthand how much mindset matters. Also, in my role supporting instructors and guiding learners, I¡¯ve noticed that those who succeed in their transition don¡¯t always have the perfect technical background, but they have the right approach.
Here are five mindset shifts that can transform how you move through a career change, especially if you¡¯re coming from a completely different field, like I did.
1. From ¡°I¡¯m starting from scratch¡± ¡ú ¡°I¡¯m building on experience¡±
It¡¯s easy to feel like you¡¯re back at square one when you enter a new industry. But you¡¯re not. You¡¯re bringing years of leadership, communication, project management, and resilience with you.
One of the most powerful shifts I see in people is when they begin to view their experience not as something to downplay, but as an asset to reframe. I¡¯ve supported former teachers becoming product managers and operations leads by helping them articulate how their past work directly aligns with the challenges tech companies face today.
This was my own journey, too. I stopped thinking of myself as ¡°just an educator¡± and started recognising the strategic, people-first leadership I brought to the table. That made all the difference.
?Try this: Make a list of your top five professional achievements. Now ask: how would these be valuable to a fast-paced, cross-functional team in tech?
2. From ¡°I need to have it all figured out¡± ¡ú ¡°I¡¯ll learn by doing¡±
Career change rarely follows a perfectly mapped plan. In fact, waiting for total clarity often leads to inaction.
The people who make progress tend to be those willing to take small steps without knowing exactly where they¡¯ll end up. This might mean having a conversation with someone in a new role, taking a short course, or applying for a job that feels just outside your comfort zone. Each action creates more clarity than any amount of overthinking.
When I first stepped into tech, I didn¡¯t have a job title in mind. I had curiosity and willingness to explore. That openness is what helped me discover new strengths I hadn¡¯t yet named.
?Try this: Pick one low-stakes action to take this week, e.g., message someone on LinkedIn, join an info session, or explore a job description just to see what catches your eye.
3. From ¡°I have to be the best¡± ¡ú ¡°I just have to begin¡±
Mid-career professionals are often used to being competent. Entering a new field means embracing the discomfort of being a beginner again and that can be tough.
But perfectionism is a trap. It stops people from applying to roles unless they meet 100% of the criteria or from speaking up in a classroom until they feel like an expert. Career changers thrive when they trade perfection for momentum. You don¡¯t need to be the best to get hired. You just need to be visible, open, and ready to learn.
Even now, as an Instructor Manager, I remind career changers that progress trumps polish. I saw this in my own journey, too. The real growth came when I let go of the need to get it right, and focused on getting started.
?Try this: Apply for a role even if you don¡¯t meet every requirement. Or post about your learning journey online¡ªit builds confidence and community.
4. From ¡°I don¡¯t belong here¡± ¡ú ¡°My perspective is valuable¡±
Imposter syndrome is real, especially for those coming into tech from industries that don¡¯t ¡°speak the language.¡±
But the truth is, tech needs people who think differently. It needs professionals who can see the bigger picture, lead with empathy, and bring operational or customer insight into the room. When you stop trying to ¡°fit in¡± and start owning your story, you become the person hiring managers remember.
In my coaching work, I help career changers rewrite their narratives to reflect this truth. And I had to do this for myself, too. Once I began seeing my education background as a strength, not a side note, doors opened.
?Try this: Write your new professional story in three sentences. Focus on your unique path, the problems you solve, and the value you bring.
5. From ¡°I have to do this alone¡± ¡ú ¡°Support is part of the process¡±
Many career changers try to DIY their transition. But the truth is, everything becomes easier when you have support. That might be a peer group, a mentor, or even just a friend to talk things through with.
At 足球竞彩网 Assembly, I¡¯ve seen the power of community firsthand. People come for the learning but stay for the accountability, encouragement, and connections that help them land roles and stay resilient through rejection and redirection.
I found the same to be true in my own transition. It wasn¡¯t hustle alone that helped me break into tech, it was the people who reminded me of my value, nudged me forward, and celebrated every win.
?Try this: Reach out to one person in your network to share your goals¡ªor join a community of fellow learners or career changers.
Career change isn¡¯t just about pivoting into a new industry. It¡¯s about rethinking how you see yourself, your skills, and what you¡¯re capable of.
Mindset is the foundation that allows all the practical steps to work, and it¡¯s something you can strengthen every day, with the right people, tools, and perspective.
So if you¡¯re mid-career and considering a switch, know this: you¡¯re not too late, and you¡¯re not alone. You might just be one mindset shift away from your next big move.
Take the first step forward today. Check out our upcoming free classes and info sessions, along with our complete course catalogue.