Challenges and Opportunities for Non-Traditional Candidates in the Tech Industry

Erika Voss, Vice President, Engineering Platforms at Capital One Software

Erika doesn't have the typical background of a technical executive at a large enterprise software company. She began her career as a corrections officer at a maximum-security prison. We explore how she transitioned from becoming a public servant, which she admits she would have been happy spending her entire life doing, to breaking into the tech industry with an untraditional, non-technical background.

Erika explains how she learned the technical skills, including finding a mentor that encouraged her to get trained, and bridged the gap with her communications and leadership skills. She outlines how to sell yourself in a job interview and best highlight your transferable skills across industries and professions. Finally, we dig into the challenges of becoming a technical executive and what it takes to get promoted to a director, senior director, and finally, a vice president of engineering at some of the most influential financial services and tech companies.

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