Hey, y’all! It’s Sophia here from Sophie-sticatedmom.com — your favorite no-nonsense guide to making moves in life and career without the fluff. Today, I’m spilling the tea on how I went from being a mental health provider to a six-figure tech boss — and I made it into six figures in less than a year after landing my first tech job. Yup, it happened. And yes, you can totally do it too.
How to Get Into Tech: The Real Deal
First off, let me say this: transitioning into tech isn’t about some magical “genius” code you have to learn overnight. It’s about strategy, hustle, and using what you already know. For me, that meant starting with a boot camp.
Step 1: Take a Boot Camp
If you want to break into tech fast, a boot camp is your best friend — and not all boot camps are created equal. I did the Springboard Cybersecurity Bootcamp (click here for my discount code), which was a game changer. Here’s why:
- It’s a flexible, mentor-led program that lets you learn at your own pace but with real guidance.
2. They focus on hands-on projects so you’re not just staring at slides but actually doing work like a tech pro.
3. Plus, they help with career coaching and job placement support — which is clutch when you’re new to tech.
Attending a boot camp also shows employers you have formal tech education. Some tech jobs require a bachelor’s degree, and if you’re like me — holding a degree in something other than tech — a boot camp is a great way to prove you’ve got the tech creds they want.
Beyond just the curriculum, Springboard helped me prep for the CompTIA Security+ certification, which was key in proving my tech chops and opening doors. The boot camp also introduced me to project management concepts — which is exactly what my new six-figure tech role is centered around. So yes, it prepped me not just for security but for managing tech projects like a pro.
Step 2: Use What You’ve Got — Highlight Your Existing Tech Skills
Listen, no matter what job you’ve had, I’m willing to bet you’ve used a computer or some tech device. So why not spotlight those skills on your resume to build your tech cred?
For me, working as a mental health provider meant I was knee-deep in Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems daily. I wasn’t just inputting data — I was managing client info, coordinating care plans, and troubleshooting EHR glitches. That experience translates perfectly to tech roles.
Similarly, as a behavioral health consultant for the military’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), I did a lot of stakeholder engagement, system management, and case management — juggling multiple software platforms and workflows. That’s project management and system admin experience wrapped into one.
By framing my healthcare experience around tech-heavy tasks like EHR usage and case management systems, I landed my first tech gig: Electronic Health Records Trainer for Cerner — which was my foot in the door to government health IT.
Now, my first tech job wasn’t six figures yet — but it was close and more than many of my previous mental health positions. I worked that job as an EHR trainer for 10 months, learning the ins and outs of the system. Then I applied for other jobs requiring EHR experience, and within a year of taking my first tech job, my second one was six figures.
Step 3: Take Initiative — How to Get On Tech Projects at Your Current Job
While I was in my boot camp, I didn’t just wait for tech opportunities to come knocking. I worked as a counselor at Cerebro, a top mental health telehealth company, and I wrote a letter to HR there asking to be put on any tech projects or teams.
Here’s how I pitched it:
“I already use the EHR system as a provider and have hands-on experience navigating it to serve clients effectively. I believe I can provide valuable insight on how to improve our EHR workflow from a user’s perspective. I’m eager to contribute to any technical teams or projects and grow my skills.”
After pitching myself to HR, I was able to work with tech teams to help develop our in-house EHR system. That experience was instrumental in landing my first tech government contractor job as an EHR Trainer.
Step 4: Get Certified — The Power of Proof (CompTIA Security+, Scrum Master, and PMP)
If you’re just getting started in tech, certifications are gold. They’re proof that you know your stuff when employers might be unsure. Here’s what helped me:
CompTIA Security+
- A widely recognized entry-level IT security certification.
2. It covers fundamental concepts like network security, threats and vulnerabilities, cryptography, and risk management.
3. Studying typically takes 2-3 months part-time, and resources like LinkedIn Learning and YouTube tutorials make it manageable.
Depending on your field, CompTIA can help make your existing skills more technical. For example, since I worked in mental health, I was already familiar with HIPAA, but CompTIA helped me learn the tech side of HIPAA and HITRUST compliance — which I then added to my resume to boost my health tech credentials.
If you’re already in finance, CompTIA can help you understand regulations like GDPR and other industry-specific compliance standards. It’s a versatile certification that adds value across multiple industries.
Jobs you can land with this cert: IT support specialist, security analyst, system administrator, and more.
Scrum Master Certification
- Scrum is an Agile project management framework popular in tech and product teams.
2. Becoming a certified Scrum Master is relatively straightforward and affordable. Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches are in high demand, making this a smart certification to pursue.
3. This role fits surprisingly well with my mental health background because it requires facilitation, communication, and empathy — skills I already had.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
- PMP certification proves you can lead complex projects, making you a strong candidate for higher-level roles in tech and beyond.
2. To qualify, you need 36 months of project experience, which can be tough if you’re just starting.
3. I used my own business, blog, book launch, and product development as real-world projects to gain this experience — and you can too!
Bonus Tip: Build Your Own Projects
Starting your own business, blog, or social media channel isn’t just for influencers. It’s a legit way to get tech and project management experience on your resume. Plus, it shows initiative — employers love that.
Step 5: Level Up Your LinkedIn — Your Digital First Impression
Here’s the deal: many tech recruiters and hiring managers start by checking out your LinkedIn profile. So if your profile doesn’t sound technical, you might get passed over before you even get a chance to explain yourself.
Even if you haven’t had official “tech” jobs yet, you can make your LinkedIn profile sound more technical by using the same strategy I used: highlight the tech-related skills you already have. Talk about working with Electronic Health Records (EHR), managing case management systems, stakeholder engagement, or any software and systems you used regularly. Use keywords like “health IT,” “system administration,” “data management,” or “technical training” — whatever fits your experience.
Don’t forget to update your headline and summary to include your tech goals and skills. This turns your profile into a mini-resume that speaks directly to tech employers and recruiters.
Remember: your LinkedIn profile is often your digital first impression — make it count!
Women in Tech: Your Unique Story Is Your Superpower
Being a Black woman in tech can be intimidating as there are so very few of us in the field. But don’t shy away, the industry pays well and it needs you.
Final Thoughts on Career Change to Tech
Transitioning into tech is a marathon, not a sprint. You’ve got to hustle smart, leverage your existing skills, get certified, and take initiative. But trust me, six figures and a fulfilling tech career are absolutely within reach.
Want more tips, real talk, and career sass? Keep it locked on Sophie-sticatedmom.com — where career advice meets no-nonsense realness. Check out my other career advice section by clicking here.
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