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Your Roadmap to Tech: From MSIMBO to Your First Tech Job

Table of Contents​

  1. Introduction
  2. Week 5-6: Identifying Your Target Roles
  3. Week 7-8: Building Your Personal Brand
  4. Week 9-10: Crafting Your Resumes
  5. Week 11-12: Starting Your Job Search
  6. Week 13-14: Deepening Your Skills and Network
  7. Week 15-16: Refining Your Strategy
  8. Post-Program: Accelerating Your Job Search
  9. Conclusion

Introduction​

Welcome to your personalized guide for transitioning into tech! As you progress through the MSIMBO program, this roadmap will help you navigate from learning to landing your first tech job. Our approach is unique: we start by understanding what employers want and work our way backwards to shape your journey.

Here's an overview of the process:

  1. Identify target roles based on current market demands
  2. Build your personal brand to match these roles
  3. Create tailored resumes for each role type
  4. Begin applying for positions early and consistently
  5. Continuously refine your skills and expand your network

By following this guide, you'll be proactively positioning yourself in the job market even as you're learning.

Let's get started on your exciting journey into tech!

Week 5-6: Identifying Your Target Roles​

Your first step is to create a shortlist of roles you're interested in. This list will guide your entire job search strategy.

  1. Review the list of potential entry-level tech roles from the MSIMBO curriculum.
  2. Research current job postings for these roles:
    • Use job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor
    • Pay attention to required skills and qualifications
  3. Create a spreadsheet to track interesting positions:
    • Include job title, company, key requirements, and application link
  4. Aim to identify at least 12 positions (3-4 for each role type you're interested in)

Example roles to consider:

  • Junior Data Analyst
  • AI Support Specialist
  • Low-Code Developer
  • Junior Web Developer
  • UX/UI Designer for AI Interfaces

Checkpoint: By the end of week 6, schedule a meeting with your ULEM career coach to review your shortlist of target roles.

Week 7-8: Building Your Personal Brand​

Now that you know your target roles, it's time to build your personal brand around them.

Creating Your LinkedIn Profile​

  1. Set up your LinkedIn account if you haven't already.
  2. Add a professional profile picture:
    • Dress professionally
    • Use a plain background
    • Smile and make eye contact with the camera
  3. Write a compelling headline:
    • Include your current status (e.g., "Aspiring Data Analyst | MSIMBO Student")
    • Mention key skills relevant to your target roles
  4. Craft your "About" section:
    • Briefly explain your background and why you're transitioning to tech
    • Highlight the skills you're gaining in the MSIMBO program that align with your target roles
    • Mention your career goals
  5. Add your MSIMBO program to the "Education" section

Setting Up Your GitHub Profile​

  1. Create a GitHub account if you don't have one.
  2. Add a profile picture (can be the same as LinkedIn).
  3. Set up your GitHub README:
    • Introduce yourself
    • List the technologies you're learning that are relevant to your target roles
    • Mention any projects you're working on (even if they're just starting)
  4. Start creating repositories for your MSIMBO projects that align with your target roles.

Checkpoint: By the end of week 8, have both your LinkedIn and GitHub profiles reviewed by your ULEM career coach.

Week 9-10: Crafting Your Resumes​

Now it's time to create tailored resumes for each of your target role types.

  1. Use the provided template as a starting point.
  2. For each target role type:
    • Highlight relevant projects and skills
    • Use keywords from job descriptions in your shortlist
    • Emphasize how your MSIMBO learning aligns with the role requirements
  3. Have each version of your resume reviewed by:
    • Your ULEM career coach
    • A peer from the MSIMBO program

Milestone: By the end of week 10, have at least 2-3 versions of your resume ready, each tailored to a different target role type.

It's time to start applying for positions, even as you continue learning.

  1. Update your job search spreadsheet with fresh openings.
  2. Begin applying for positions:
    • Use the tailored resume version for each role type
    • Craft a personalized cover letter for each application
  3. Track your applications in your spreadsheet, including:
    • Date applied
    • Resume version used
    • Follow-up actions
    • Interview dates (if any)

Checkpoint: Aim to apply for at least 5 positions by the end of week 12. Discuss your initial application experiences with your ULEM career coach.

Week 13-14: Deepening Your Skills and Network​

While applying for jobs, continue to enhance your skills and build your network.

Finding Real-World Projects​

  1. Explore open-source projects:
    • Visit https://goodfirstissue.dev
    • Filter by the languages relevant to your target roles
    • Pick an issue labeled "good first issue" or "beginner-friendly"
  2. Contribute to local community projects:
    • Check if local non-profits need technical help
    • Offer to build a simple website or data analysis for a small business

Finding Mentors​

  1. Identify potential mentors on LinkedIn:
    • Search for professionals in your target roles
    • Look for those who actively post about helping newcomers
  2. Engage with tech content creators:
    • Follow and interact with developers who create content on platforms like dev.to or YouTube
    • Comment thoughtfully on their posts and videos

Milestone: By week 14, aim to have contributed to at least one open-source or community project and connected with at least two potential mentors.

Week 15-16: Refining Your Strategy​

As you near the end of the MSIMBO program, it's time to refine your job search strategy.

  1. Update your LinkedIn profile:
    • Add new skills you've learned
    • Showcase projects you've completed or contributed to
  2. Enhance your GitHub:
    • Ensure all MSIMBO projects are well-documented
    • Add a portfolio website to your GitHub Pages if relevant to your target roles
  3. Revise your resumes based on the feedback from your applications so far
  4. Continue applying for positions, aiming for at least 3-5 applications per week

Checkpoint: Schedule a comprehensive job search strategy review with your ULEM career coach by the end of week 16.

Post-Program: Accelerating Your Job Search​

After completing MSIMBO, it's time to accelerate your job search efforts.

Intensifying Your Application Process​

  1. Aim to apply for 5-10 positions per week
  2. For promising opportunities, take extra steps to stand out:
    • Find the hiring manager or department head on LinkedIn
    • Use hunter.io to find their email address
    • Send a brief, personalized email expressing your interest and qualifications

Continuous Learning and Networking​

  1. Share your learning journey and project updates on LinkedIn weekly
  2. Participate in coding challenges relevant to your target roles
  3. Attend virtual tech conferences or webinars in your areas of interest
  4. Continue contributing to open-source projects related to your target roles

Final Checkpoint: Schedule monthly check-ins with your ULEM career coach to review your progress and refine your strategy.

Conclusion​

Remember, transitioning into tech is a journey that extends beyond the MSIMBO program. Stay persistent, keep learning, and don't hesitate to reach out for support. Your ULEM community and the broader tech community are here to help you succeed. By following this roadmap and consistently putting in the effort, you're setting yourself up for success in your new tech career.

Best of luck on your exciting journey!

Your friend @ ULEM/MSIMBO,

Dele Tosh (deletosh)