What Does It Take to Develop New Skills to Start a Tech Role?
Every company around the world, large or small, is the sum of the talents of its employees. NTT Group is no exception. From the CEO to research engineers, customer service providers and sales managers, everyone makes up an essential part of what the company represents.
Most people find their mission early on and stick to what they know. Some, however, want to make mid-career changes. To step away from their initial training and decide to try something different, in doing so bringing new ways of thinking and fresh ways of problem solving. Thanks to NTT DATA’s Tech Academy, that’s now possible.
Since 2020, Tech Academy has been taking in colleagues from all walks of life—from chefs to wedding caterers to Etsy entrepreneurs—and training them in one of three learning pathways: DevOps, Quality Assurance Testing (QAT) / Application Enterprise Management (AEM) or PowerBI. Their backgrounds were irrelevant; all they needed was talent, motivation and energy.
We spoke to three colleagues based in the United Kingdom who have graduated from the Tech Academy. Here’s what they told us about their experiences in developing new skills.
Dan Wyatt, DevOps Engineer, NTT DATA UK&I
Transitioning from a background in hospitality and event management to a career in tech, particularly as a DevOps engineer, has been an enriching journey for me. The timing of my transition coincided with the COVID-19 lockdowns and while on furlough I was able to reskill. Leveraging skills from my previous profession, such as problem-solving and communication, proved invaluable as I delved into the world of technology.
One challenge I encountered, and still face, is imposter syndrome. The vastness of DevOps initially overwhelmed me, but thanks to the unwavering support of a senior colleague who became my mentor, I gained confidence and direction. His guidance has been instrumental in my growth. I am immensely grateful for the opportunities afforded to me and the support I've received from mentors and colleagues alike.
Maintaining a growth mindset has been crucial. I approach each day with a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to tackle challenges head-on. Embracing the unknown has become second nature, fuelling my continuous development as a tech professional.
I am immensely grateful for the opportunities afforded to me and the support I've received from mentors and colleagues alike.
Jacob Kachimba, DevOps Engineer, NTT DATA UK&I
My professional background is hospitality, working primarily at private events and contracted out to various bars and restaurants around London.
DevOps was completely new to me — the concept and fundamental principles of DevOps resonated, so I took a chance. A DevOps engineer is tasked with reducing process complexity — automating as much as possible and facilitating easier workflows.
The biggest challenge for me was imposter syndrome. Surrounded by experienced, knowledgeable engineers who speak and act in ways I was unfamiliar with was a shock to the system. I’ve been fortunate to have my peers to lean on and senior figures who have helped guide and shape me into a more knowledgeable, confident engineer.
Key traits for starting a new tech role for me are curiosity, a willingness to ask questions and patience. Especially in technology, you’ll never know everything and the things you do know will evolve rapidly, with the tools and principles of the industry always shifting and changing. Never be afraid to ask questions. Ask why something works the way it does. Ask if we can do it better.
Anthony Nyame Ohene, DevOps Engineer, NTT DATA UK&I
After completing my postgraduate degree in Accounting and Finance, I took the decision to try something new. I became increasingly interested in technology and how it could streamline business processes. DevOps stood out to me, because it combined software development and IT operations, focusing on continuous delivery and automation — concepts that I found both challenging and exciting.
It was tough, especially at the beginning, communicating and expressing myself in the “techy language”. However, strategically leveraging my existing knowledge and skills such as problem solving, analytical reasoning, and paying attention to details helped me make the change.
The massive support that was provided throughout the training, as well as the advice and encouragements from Senior DevOps Engineers, made a tremendous positive impact on shaping my career journey.
Transitioning from a finance role to becoming a DevOps Engineer was challenging, but incredibly rewarding. It required a commitment to continuous learning, practical application of new skills, and leveraging my existing strengths. Today, I am thrilled to be part of a dynamic field that constantly evolves and allows me to contribute to efficient, automated, and reliable IT operations. For anyone considering a similar transition, my advice is to be persistent and proactive in your learning journey. It's absolutely possible, with the right mindset and resources.