Contents
13 Jan 2026 • 15:29
4 min read
Starting a career in tech is easier to manage when you break it into concrete steps. Employers in South Africa often look for evidence of skill—projects, contributions, and basic workplace experience—more than a single credential.
This article gives a short, practical sequence you can follow: assess demand, pick a pathway, build a portfolio, get experience, and search for your first paid role.
Before you learn, check which tech roles are hiring locally and remotely. Major job platforms show steady openings for developers, IT support, data roles and product-adjacent jobs in South Africa; you can view current listings on LinkedIn Jobs South Africa and on Indeed's IT listings for South Africa.
Target roles with clear entry paths—helpdesk, junior developer, QA, or data analyst—so your learning is focused on what employers actually hire for.
There are three common entry routes: a short online course, a longer university or TVET short programme, or a bootcamp. Choose by time, money and the kind of credential you need.
Online courses can teach usable skills quickly; well-known platforms offer beginner paths that include projects and certificates. For classroom-backed options, short courses at local institutions provide a recognised record of study—see examples like the short Python course offered by UNISA for a formal option.
Employers want to see what you can do, not only what you studied. Convert course exercises into short projects: a small web app, a data-cleaning notebook, or an automation script.
Host these projects publicly to demonstrate your work. Git repositories and simple hosted demos make your progress visible to recruiters; many developers use GitHub to share code and track contributions.
Create a single page that lists three projects, what problem each solved, the tech used, and a short link to the code or demo. Keep descriptions crisp and outcome-focused.
If you lack a website, a well-written GitHub README plus a LinkedIn projects section is sufficient. The goal is to make it effortless for a recruiter to understand your skills in 60 seconds.
Look for internships, learnerships, volunteer roles, or part-time support positions that expose you to real systems. These roles build habits employers value: ticketing, documentation, and collaborating on shared code.
Job boards regularly list entry-level IT roles and internships; scan listings frequently and apply early. Platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed can be filtered for internships and junior roles.
For junior roles, tailor one clear CV and a short cover note that highlights two relevant projects and any workplace exposure. Attach links to your portfolio and a focused GitHub repository.
Use short, concrete examples when answering screening questions. Recruiters shortlist people who show practical results and a willingness to learn on the job.
After you land a junior role or internship, continue learning in small, focused blocks. Short specialisations and guided projects teach job-ready tasks—platforms like Coursera host beginner programming and data series that include applied projects and certificates.
Apply new knowledge directly at work or in your portfolio to turn learning into demonstrable outcomes.
Networking need not be grand. Connect with alumni from your course, attend one local meetup a month, and engage with two recruiters on LinkedIn about junior roles.
Informational chats let you test role descriptions and learn which skills askers actually need. Over time, these contacts become referral sources for entry-level openings.
Month 1: assess demand and pick a learning route. Months 2–4: complete a focused course and build three small projects. Month 5: apply for internships and junior roles while doing volunteer or freelance work. Month 6: aim for interviews and convert feedback into quick portfolio updates.
Keeps steps small and measurable: weekly goals, not vague plans. Small wins compound into credible experience.
Starting in tech rarely follows a single path. The combination of employer-focused learning, visible projects, and early workplace exposure shortens the route to your first paid role.
Follow the steps above, revise based on feedback, and prioritise doing over collecting qualifications. That habit will create durable opportunity in the South African tech market.
