From Media to Tech
A journey of reinvention, challenges overcome, and dreams realized in the digital frontier.
The newsroom was buzzing with deadline energy, but something felt different. As I watched my colleagues chase the next breaking story, I found myself drawn to the digital tools we used, wondering how they worked behind the scenes. That curiosity would soon reshape my entire career trajectory.
The Realization
Working in media taught me storytelling, critical thinking, and how to work under pressure. But I craved something more, the ability to build, to create solutions, to impact millions through technology rather than just report on it.
The turning point came when I realized that the most compelling stories of our time weren’t just being told, they were being coded, designed, and deployed by people who understood both human nature and technology.
Key Insight
“Media professionals already possess many skills that translate beautifully to tech: research, analysis, communication, and the ability to distill complex information into digestible formats.”
Skills That Transfer Seamlessly
Communication
Explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, writing clear documentation, and presenting ideas effectively.
Research & Analysis
Investigating problems, gathering requirements, analyzing user needs, and making data-driven decisions.
Deadline Management
Working efficiently under pressure, managing multiple projects, and delivering quality work on tight timelines.
The Learning Journey
Foundation Building
Started with online courses in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Spent evenings and weekends learning the fundamentals while still working full-time in media. The key was consistency, even 30 minutes a day made a difference.
Pro tip: Use your media background to create projects that tell stories through code. Build news websites, portfolio sites, or interactive articles.
Skill Specialization
Chose to focus on front-end development and UX design, areas where storytelling and user experience intersect. Built real projects, contributed to open source, and started freelancing to gain practical experience.
Key insight: Your media experience gives you a unique perspective on user experience and content presentation that many developers lack.
Making the Leap
After 18 months of dedicated learning, landed the first tech role. The transition wasn’t just about technical skills, it was about reframing my media experience as valuable assets in the tech world.
Success factor: Networked with other career changers, attended tech meetups, and found mentors who believed in the value of diverse backgrounds.
The Impact of Diverse Perspectives
The tech industry needs people who understand human stories, who can bridge the gap between complex technology and real-world applications. Your media background isn’t just relevant, it’s essential.
What Tech Offers You
User-centric thinking from understanding audiences
Ability to translate complex ideas into accessible formats
Strong storytelling skills for product narratives
Research skills for user testing and market analysis
What You Bring to Tech
Opportunity to build solutions, not just report on them
Rapid career growth and competitive compensation
Constant learning and skill development
Global impact through digital products
Ready to Start Your Tech Journey?
Your media background is your superpower. The tech world needs storytellers, critical thinkers, and people who understand human connection.
About the Author
A multimedia professional telling stories through tech, passionate about wholesome living and helping others navigate career transitions and build meaningful careers in technology. Currently working as a UI/UX designer at a leading tech company in Nigeria.