How to Switch from a Non-Tech Background to a Tech Job in Kansas City

Kansas City's tech scene is popping right now, making it the place to be if you want to switch careers into tech. According to this report from KCADC, the region has over 3,900 tech companies employing over 106,000 workers.

They're expecting even more growth, with jobs in cybersecurity, software development, and data analysis being some of the most in-demand roles. The numbers don't lie - average salaries for tech jobs in KC are around $123K, way higher than the overall average of $72K across all industries.

Some of the biggest players driving this boom include major names like Garmin, T-Mobile, Cerner, and VMLY&R.

But it's not just the big dogs - there's a ton of innovative startups disrupting industries like fintech, healthtech, and logistics tech too. Companies like C2FO, Blooom, and Attane are killing it in the finance and healthtech spaces.

And don't sleep on Kansas City's thriving e-commerce scene - startups like BacklotCars are pioneering new ways to buy and sell vehicles online.

The opportunities are endless, and the best part? You can get trained up for these in-demand tech roles through programs like Nucamp's coding bootcamps.

Look, having a tech background ain't everything when it comes to scoring a sick job in the tech world. A lot of the transferable skills you've picked up from other gigs are valuable to tech companies.

Like, they're all about finding people who can communicate clearly, solve problems creatively, and manage projects.

Here in Kansas City, we've got folks who've made the switch from totally different fields and are crushing it in tech.

Take Jessica Lopez, for instance - she used to plan events, but her organizational genius and time management skills landed her a role at a major tech firm. And James Brown? He went from customer service to UX design, where his ability to communicate and think outside the box helped him crush it.

Skills like:

• Communication: Getting complex ideas across clearly, whether it's through writing or speaking.
• Project management: Keeping tasks, resources, and timelines on track for successful delivery.
• Problem-solving: Identifying challenges, analyzing data, and coming up with fresh solutions.

are gold in the tech world.

If you can highlight those skills during your job search and interviews, you'll have a better shot at landing a tech role in Kansas City, even without a technical background.

As this senior software dev at a local startup put it,

"Sure, technical skills are important, but some of our best hires are the ones with solid soft skills like communication and problem-solving. Those transferable skills allow them to collaborate effectively and tackle complex challenges head-on."

Kansas City is definitely where you want to be when it comes to learning how to code or getting into tech! There are so many options whether you're trying to switch careers or just level up your skills.

If you want that full immersion experience, coding bootcamps like Nucamp, General Assembly, and Centriq Training are where it's at.

These intense programs will have you cranking out web apps and data projects in no time, so you can flex that juicy portfolio when hunting for tech gigs.

But if you need more flexibility, no sweat! Online courses from places like Coursera, Udemy, and edX got your back.

You can take classes from legit universities and tech giants at your own pace, whether you're trying to brush up on HTML or go all-in on machine learning. It's the perfect way to keep learning while juggling work, friends, or whatever else you got going on.

Kansas City's colleges are also stepping up their tech game too.

UMKC, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Park University all offer degrees and certs in fields like cybersecurity, IT, and computer science. So if you're looking to get that bachelor's or associate's while gaining some serious tech knowledge, they got you covered.

And let's not forget about the KC STEM Alliance – they're hooking people up with scholarships, mentors, and career exploration opportunities in tech.

It's a sweet deal, especially for underrepresented groups looking to break into the industry.

"Kansas City is for learning the hottest tech skills," says Charles Martin from the KC Tech Council. "We've got bootcamps, college programs, online courses – you name it. No matter your background or experience level, KC has something to help you level up and snag those prime tech jobs."

Kansas City's tech scene is poppin'! To get your foot in the door, you gotta link up with the right squads. Kansas City Tech and Beer has over 1,200 members ready to network and kick it.

Or check out Kansas City Women in Tech - these ladies are killin' it with dope events like Coding & Cocktails to level up your coding skills while sippin' on some tasty drinks.

Stay in the loop for big-time gatherings too, like SHARE Kansas City where you can rub elbows with mainframe pros.

Mark those calendars! Kansas City's got a heap of must-attend tech fests.

The Tech Field Day Extra at SHARE Kansas City in August is a prime spot to catch cutting-edge presentations and network with industry bigwigs.

And don't sleep on FaithTech Kansas City's 2024 Vision Meetup - it's all about bridging faith and tech, which is a total vibe.

Stay woke for other dope events listed on sites like Kansas City User Groups and 1 Billion Bits.

Last but not least, work that LinkedIn game! Join groups like Kansas City's Tech Meetup scene (peep all those event listings!) and KC Tech Council's Event Calendar to stay locked in.

Networking is key, you understand? As the wise Liz Ryan said,

"Your network is your net worth in the job market."

So slide into those DMs, connect with local ballers, and get that bread!

Crafting that killer resume is crucial if you want to score your first tech gig in Kansas City. Make sure to highlight those mad skills that show you're a total problem-solving, communication boss who can slay any project.

According to the experts, resumes with quantifiable achievements are 38% more likely to land you an interview, so flex those numbers!

Here's the tea:

• Highlight Technical Skills: List all the programming languages, software, tools, and technologies you've mastered. Even if you're just starting out, don't sleep on the skills you picked up from bootcamps or online courses – they count!
• Emphasize Accomplishments: Impress 'em with hard facts like "Increased website traffic by 25%" or "Streamlined processes, saving 10 hours per week." Numbers don't lie.
• Showcase Projects: Got some dope coding projects under your belt? Share those links to your GitHub portfolio or personal website – let your work do the talking.

When it's time for interviews, do your homework and research the company like a boss.

According to Dice, nearly half of tech pros value a collaborative culture over just chasing that cash, so highlight your team player skills and give examples of times you crushed it working with others.

Now, where to find those sweet tech jobs? Check out hot spots like KCITYJobs.com – it's a go-to job board for Kansas City tech companies.

You can also hit up tech-focused recruitment agencies like VGX Technologists and CompRenew to get connected with potential employers. But don't sleep on networking either – attend local tech meetups and events to build those connections and stay in the loop on job openings.

And if you need more tips, Nucamp's got your back with guides like their Getting a Job in Tech in Kansas City in 2024 article.