More and more professionals are leaving traditional careers to pursue opportunities in tech – but breaking into the industry isn’t as easy as it once was. From identifying your transferable skills to building a strong portfolio, this guide walks you through the essential steps to make your career shift into tech achievable and rewarding.

This article explores 7 software engineering disciplines, the skills involved, and the expected salary. We also look at an example of what your career path as a software engineer might look like—but remember, the journey will be different for everyone!