Career✓ Follow-up at 10 weeks7,450 views
I want to switch from retail to tech at 28 with no degree
A structured 12-week career pivot plan from retail to tech, focusing on transferable skills, free learning resources, and building a portfolio that gets interviews without a degree.
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Follow-Up Result
10 weeks laterGot first tech interview at week 10 for a junior QA role
The Problem
I've been working retail since I was 18. I'm now 28, no degree, and I'm exhausted from the hours, the pay, and the lack of progression. I keep seeing people talk about getting into tech but I don't know where to start. I can't afford a bootcamp and I can't quit my job to study full-time. I feel like I've left it too late and everyone else already knows what they're doing.
The Plan
Week 1-2: Pick Your Path
Research three realistic entry points: QA testing, tech support, or junior web development
Don't try to learn everything — pick ONE path and commit for 90 days
Create a LinkedIn profile and set it to "open to work" — your retail experience shows customer skills, problem-solving, and working under pressure
Start freeCodeCamp's Responsive Web Design course (free, self-paced, takes about 2 hours/day)
Week 3-5: Build Skills Daily
Dedicate 1-2 hours every day before or after your shift — consistency beats intensity
If you chose QA: take the free ISTQB foundation course on YouTube and practice on BugCrowd
If you chose web dev: build three small projects (personal site, calculator, to-do app)
If you chose tech support: get CompTIA IT Fundamentals study materials from your local library
Join one Discord or Slack community for your chosen path — you need people around you doing the same thing
Week 6-8: Build Your Portfolio
Create a GitHub account and push your projects — even small ones count
Write a short case study for each project: what you built, why, what you learned
Update your CV to highlight transferable skills: customer communication, problem-solving under pressure, multitasking, team coordination
Start applying to 5 jobs per week — yes, even before you feel ready
Week 9-12: Get Visible
Attend one free local or virtual tech meetup per week
Connect with 10 people on LinkedIn per week in your target field
Ask for informational interviews — most people are happy to chat for 15 minutes
Apply to apprenticeship programs — many companies specifically want career changers
Practice common interview questions using free resources like Pramp
Resources
freeCodeCamp.org — completely free, project-based web development curriculum
The Odin Project — free full-stack curriculum with community support
LinkedIn Learning — free with most library cards
r/cscareerquestions — career advice from people who've made the switch
Follow-Up Result
Week 10: got the first interview for a junior QA role at a mid-size software company. Didn't get the job but got great feedback and a second interview elsewhere the following week. Built 4 small projects on GitHub. The biggest surprise was how much retail experience translated — interviewers loved hearing about handling difficult customers and working under pressure. Currently applying to 8-10 roles per week. Confidence is completely different from where it was 10 weeks ago.Know someone with this problem?
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