How to Start Your Tech Journey Without Prior Knowledge

So, you’re interested in tech but unsure where to begin. What should you do first?

Hi there. My name is Eniolamercy. Consider this article a simple guide based on my personal experience to help you transition into the tech space.

Everything here is what I’ve learned and what has worked for me. I’m still learning, and continuous learning is the key to growth in this space. With these 10 steps, we can kickstart.

Understanding the Tech Landscape

Tech is a broad field, serving as an umbrella term for various careers. You can be a designer, writer, community manager, developer (web, AI. blockchain, etc), marketing strategist, data scientist, social media manager, growth hacker, researcher, and more.

Your tech journey could focus on Web2, Web3, etc. Always remember that there are coding and non-coding roles available for you to put your hands on.

The first thing to understand about the tech space, in general, is that the ecosystem is vast. To stand out, you need to identify what works for you and what genuinely interests you.

Step 1: Research and Learn

Begin by researching and exploring the various skills and careers available in the tech space. While I can’t cover every career opportunity here, I’ll touch on a few I’m familiar with.

Advice: You’ll have to put in the work yourself. It requires full dedication and determination if you’re serious about making money in tech. There may be times when you feel tired or discouraged, but the passion that drove you to start will be what keeps you going.

Step 2: Set Up Your Online Profile

Here are two important platforms you need to be on and how to prepare yourself:

1. Twitter (X): Twitter is a popular platform for networking and connecting with tech professionals across various niches. Start by setting up your account with a brand name (a name you’re comfortable using). We’ll discuss branding later, but for now, having an account is important for meeting more people.

2. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the best place to find jobs, including entry-level positions and volunteer roles. It is a good place to document your journey as well.

Advice: Join spaces, follow relevant accounts, and stay active. Ask questions regularly; no question is too trivial. Just ask anyway. Always be curious.

Step 3: Start Taking Courses and Leveraging YouTube

Once you’ve researched and discovered what interests you, it’s time to start learning. For example, to become a community manager, research and learn everything you can about the role.

Follow every community manager with evidence of work and proof of work you find on Twitter and LinkedIn, study them, connect with them, and learn from them. Many people are busy and might not respond immediately, but don’t let that stop you from showing up.

Advice: If you decide to dedicate three days a week to learning your chosen skill, be consistent. Consistency is the only way to achieve results. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it required a lot of hard work. Are you ready to put all your energy into it?

Step 4: Be Ready to Gain Knowledge

Prepare yourself to learn continuously. There are bootcamps, free courses, and volunteer roles that allow you to gain hands-on experience. Embrace these opportunities and be eager to start learning.

Step 5: Build in Public

Start documenting your journey from day one. This practice builds credibility over time and lets you track your progress and achievements. By sharing your experiences, you create a transparent record of your growth that others can follow and learn from.

Step 6: Explore the Fundamentals of your Niche

Start by understanding the basics of whatever niche you picked. Learn how to start and take courses on various introductions. Check multiple articles and YouTube videos. This foundational knowledge will guide your journey and help you grasp more complex topics as you dive deeper.

When I started, I joined a boot camp on introduction to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency. Although I don’t necessarily work directly with blockchain technology now, it was an excellent starting point.

During the boot camp, I kept a pen and journal to document everything I learned and built in public from the beginning, which helped solidify my understanding.

Step 7: Join Communities

One crucial step that cannot be overlooked is joining communities. If you want to be a designer, join communities of designers. If you aspire to be a writer, join communities of writers.

Whatever niche you find yourself in, never underestimate the power of communities; they help you grow and stay motivated. Whether it’s a Twitter community, Slack group, Discord server, or WhatsApp group, find what works for you and get involved.

Step 8: Learn Soft Skills

Soft skills are non-technical abilities that help you perform well and succeed in the workplace. These include communication and interpersonal skills. Soft skills often stem from life experiences but can be learned and improved.

For example, when I started, I didn’t post on my Twitter account until almost seven months into my tech journey. I wondered what I should say and how people would react. It took me a while to overcome these doubts, but that’s okay.

However, I advise you to start as soon as you can; no one is here to judge, and the long-term benefits are yours. I was also camera-shy initially, but I’ve since overcome that. Don’t let your hesitation hold you back for too long.

Step 9: Attend Tech Events

No one is an island of knowledge, and your location should not be a barrier. It's almost 3 years in Tech for me, and attending events has contributed tremendously to my growth. I have met people, networked, and even interacted with people I wouldn't have met on a typical day.

I have made friends by attending events, and many opportunities lie in attending. Go with the mindset of learning and networking ( most events always have freebies and merches). You can look forward to that as well.

Advice: Look for the closest event in your location. For instance, when you search SuperteamNg on X (Twitter), you will see the one closest to you. Follow them on X, stay tuned for information, set up notifications, and be active.

Step 10: Look for internships or Volunteer for roles

While it may take little time for you to make a lot of money either way, volunteering and internships can give the exposure and networking that will be worth their weight. There is not a lot out there that can beat getting your hands dirty, and when you're finding yourself new to the field, it pays off dearly to volunteer and contribute.

It worked for me. My first role was a volunteer role, and I took it up without expecting pay, but I was really ready to learn. Keep your eyes on the long-term goals.

When you are ready for your role, don't be afraid to approach companies or organizations directly for internships and volunteer work. Twitter and LinkedIn are great places to learn about opportunities and connect with potential employers.

At this point, I have run out of steps, but here is where I list where you can take courses, communities to join, and people to follow, most especially on Twitter. Also, when you do, turn on notifications, you won't miss out on their updates.

Where to learn new courses

1. YouTube: I can't direct you to a video, but you must search for courses based on your interest. For instance, if you want to start your journey as a content writer, you can search "How to start my journey as a content writer." You will see many videos, take pen and notes, and jot things down accurately. You can repurpose what you learned from the video and document it online. You are teaching more people, and you are giving value out there.

2. Coursera —This is another beautiful place to start. Search for your course of interest and start your course immediately. Here's a hack: Create a to-do list and make sure you follow the days you dedicate to each course, or you will fall off in the process.

3. Udemy — It's like Coursea, but most courses here are paid. Don't be scared; it's mostly commitment fees. Explore the website and see the courses that you would love to take.

4. EdX - EdX offers over 3,000 of the best online tech courses

5. Futurelearn - Explore the website to learn any course of your choice.

6. Utiva - Utiva is a one stop shop for everything Technology Skills Training. They offer training in Data science, product management, product design, cloud computing, and more, click the link to explore their website.

7. Linkedin Learning - This is an opportunity provided by LinkedIn where you can learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. You can get access to thousands of resources and courses; don't miss out.

Communities to join

PSA, these are web3 communities that I am in. Your niche might not necessarily be here, but we can always find a way around it. These communities frequently offer knowledge and classes.

1. Web3afrika - https://x.com/web3afrika

2. WomeninDefi - https://x.com/women_in_defi

3. Web3ladies - https://x.com/web3ladies

4. Ingressive for Good - https://ingressive.org/

5. Superteam: https://x.com/SuperteamNG

6. She Code Africa: https://x.com/SheCodeAfrica

7. Web3bridge: https://x.com/Web3Bridge

8. Ginakev Digital Academy (GIDA): https://x.com/Official_GIDA

9. Aya (Techstars '23): https://x.com/ayahq_

People to follow on X

If you are just starting, please go over to their page, follow up and calmly learn;
1. https://x.com/thesarahidahosa

2. https://x.com/marablossom

3. https://x.com/olanetsoft

4. https://x.com/Ama_Crypt1

5. https://x.com/0x1_Tee

6. https://x.com/fibibakes

7. https://x.com/Eniolamercy10

8. https://x.com/thelilinuel

8. https://x.com/0xDipo

10. https://x.com/Victorfawole0

11. https://x.com/iamveektoria_

12. https://x.com/geniusyinka

On a final note, this is a long yet compressed version, which I have compiled as briefly as I could. Go ahead and do the research. When you decide what you want to do and are done with the research, you can always send me a DM or jump on a quick call with me. Whatever is your drive to start with, let it be sustainable to keep going.

Good luck in your tech journey.