How to Start a Career in Tech Without a Degree

The tech industry is booming—and the best part? You don’t need a computer science degree to get in. Whether you’re a student, a recent graduate from another field, or simply someone ready for a career change, you can build a successful tech career with the right strategy, skills, and consistency.

Here’s a practical step-by-step guide to help you break into tech, no degree required.

1. Pick a Tech Path That Suits You

“Tech” is a big word. First, decide what interests you. Do you like solving problems, designing, writing, or organising things? Here are some beginner-friendly options:

Frontend Developer (you design/build what users see)
Backend Developer (you work behind the scenes with servers/databases)
UI/UX Designer (you design user experiences)
Data Analyst (you work with numbers and insights)
Cybersecurity Specialist (you protect data/systems)
Product Manager (you guide teams and tech products)

Tip: Research job roles on sites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn to see what skills are in demand.

2. Start Learning the Skills – For Free or Low-Cost

Thanks to the internet, high-quality tech education is just a few clicks away.

Free Platforms:

freeCodeCamp – Web development, JavaScript, data science
CS50 by Harvard (edX) – Intro to computer science
The Odin Project – Full stack development
Google Career Certificates – IT support, UX design, data analytics

Affordable Platforms:

Udemy – Affordable courses, often on sale
Coursera – Industry-recognised certificates
Scrimba – Interactive frontend coding lessons

Tip: Don’t get stuck in “tutorial hell.” Build small projects as you learn.

3. Build a Portfolio – Show, Don’t Just Tell

Your portfolio is your degree.

Start creating real-world projects—even small ones. For example:

A simple to-do list web app (for developers)
A website redesign (for designers)
A data dashboard using Excel or Python (for analysts)

Put these on GitHub or your website. Recruiters love seeing what you can do.

4. Join Tech Communities

Tech isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about who you know.

Join free communities:

Twitter/X – Follow people in your chosen field
LinkedIn – Share your journey and projects
Discord & Reddit – Communities like r/learnprogramming
Local or virtual meetups – Like Google Developer Groups (GDG), Women Who Code, or tech webinars

You’ll find mentors, collaborators, and even job leads.

5. Apply for Internships, Freelance Gigs & Entry-Level Jobs

Even without a degree, you can start with:

Freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork
Internships (paid or unpaid) with startups or NGOs
Entry-level tech support or QA testing roles

Start small. Experience builds confidence—and your résumé.

6. Build a Simple but Strong Tech Résumé

Focus on projects, not education.
Include certificates, technical skills, and soft skills (like problem-solving or communication).
Add your GitHub link and portfolio website.

Keep it clean, clear, and no longer than one page.

7. Prepare for Interviews & Keep Learning

Many tech interviews include:

Technical assessments or coding tests
Problem-solving questions
Behavioural questions (like “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge”)

Practice on:

LeetCode or HackerRank (for developers)
Interviewing.io (mock interviews)
Exercism (coding practice)

Conclusion

Tech is one of the few fields where skills speak louder than degrees. If you’re self-driven, patient, and willing to learn continuously, you’ll thrive. Start today with a free course. Build. Connect. Apply. Repeat. Your tech journey doesn’t need a degree—it needs you. Share your tech journey in the comments or drop them in. And if you’re already learning something new, tell us what you’re working on!

We Also Recommend

Author

Victoria Ojetunde

View all posts