The rise of unconventional tech talent
Breaking traditional pathways
The traditional path to becoming a developer typically involved computer science degrees and early career focus on programming. However, companies like Klarna and eBerry are discovering that some of their most valuable tech talent comes from surprisingly diverse backgrounds, including dentistry, economics, and architecture.
Diversity driving innovation
Fresh perspectives in tech teams
At SALT – School of Applied Technology, where 48% of participants are women, the focus on diverse backgrounds is proving transformative. Career changers bring unique problem-solving approaches and soft skills developed in their previous professions, leading to more innovative solutions and improved team dynamics.
Proven success in leading tech companies
Rapid integration and impact
Success stories from companies like Klarna demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. After hiring eight SALT developers, their engineering director noted exceptional performance and strong motivation. Similarly, eBerry witnesses that career-changing developers quickly became productive contributors, bringing fresh perspectives to their technical teams.
The business case for career changers
Beyond technical skills
These career changers often possess advanced communication skills, customer insight, and project management experience from their previous roles. Their combination of technical training and diverse professional experience creates well-rounded full-stack developers who can bridge the gap between technical requirements and business needs.
Looking ahead
A sustainable talent solution
As the tech talent shortage continues to challenge European businesses, embracing career changers offers a sustainable solution. Companies can build more diverse, innovative teams while addressing critical skill gaps by tapping into this growing pool of motivated professionals seeking new challenges in technology.
