Shift happens: From business owner to tech consultant
Read how Anh used transferable skills from her time running her own business to start a new career in tech, and what advice she has for fellow career changers
In today’s edition of Shift Happens, we’re joined by Anh, who made the impressive leap from talent strategy and entrepreneurship to a career in tech. Her journey is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the power of transferable skills. Let’s hear from Anh about her transition and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
What position and industry did you work in before joining us?
Before joining Ten10, I worked as a talent strategist and later moved into entrepreneurship, where I built an e-commerce business serving professionals in the beauty industry. Both roles gave me a strong foundation in understanding people, strategy, and resilience, but I always had a curiosity about how technology could be used to drive innovation and efficiency. While I enjoyed that journey, I also found myself drawn more and more towards the technology that powered my business.
What made you pursue changing careers to tech?
Running my own business meant wearing many different hats every day. I was the strategist, the marketer, and often the tech support too. Somewhere between researching digital tools to explore website options, actually building that website, and implementing solutions that streamlined my business processes, I discovered that those were the parts of my day that I found the most rewarding. I loved solving problems with technology and seeing how the right solution could make such a big difference.
At the same time, I knew my knowledge was quite high-level and tied only to the projects I happened to be working on. I wanted to go deeper, to properly understand the principles behind what I was doing. That curiosity grew into a bigger ambition and ultimately led me here today.
What was your perception of tech before joining Ten10?
From the outside, I thought tech was a bit of a closed world, reserved for people with computer science degrees or years of coding behind them. It felt daunting, almost like you had to already be an expert before you could even start. Joining Ten10 completely changed that perception. I discovered that while technical knowledge is important, qualities like problem-solving, curiosity, and collaboration are just as crucial. With the right training and support, the industry is far more open and accessible than I’d first imagined.
Do you feel that having prior work experience has been an advantage during your training?
Yes, most definitely. My background has shaped the way I approach challenges during training. Having worked across different teams in the past, being able to effectively communicate and collaborate has been valuable when contributing to group projects.
Another big advantage is being able to take initiative and have resilience. Training involves learning a huge amount of information in a short space of time, and it’s easy to feel like you need to grasp everything immediately. My prior experience taught me to give myself the grace to know it’s normal not to get everything straight away, and trust that persistence pays off. That mindset has made it easier to keep moving forward, take the time to research and revisit tricky areas, and find solutions without getting discouraged.
How do you feel about your career change so far? How are you enjoying working in tech?
I’m really enjoying it. I work alongside a lovely team, and the projects keep me engaged, with fresh challenges and continuous learning. Working in tech has introduced me to many new technologies and approaches, and it’s changed the way I think about problem-solving. Making a career change is never easy, but it has been a smoother transition with the support of Ten10 and the Academy team, who have gone above and beyond to make it a great experience since the start of my journey.
What advice do you have for other people considering a career change to tech?
Don’t be afraid to start, even if you feel you don’t fit the ‘typical’ profile. Curiosity and determination will take you far. Tech is such a broad and dynamic industry that there’s room for all kinds of backgrounds and skillsets. Focus on your transferable skills as they will serve you well, stay curious and open to learning, and trust that the challenges along the way will help you grow!