What advice do you have for someone moving into a technical field from a creative one (music --> software engineering)?
I'm making a career pivot from music (I have multiple Masters degrees in music performance and composition) to software engineering. I'm seeking advice on how to position myself in applications to avoid having that background rule me out of consideration for a technical role.
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- Category: Career development, Career progression
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Hi, Stephen!
This is quite a big step. My first reaction was about the similarities of Mathematics, programming and music - take Bach fugues. The creativity and innovation angle is also an interesting one, we are looking for innovative people.
On a serious note: do you now have a degree in software engineering as well? In your CV and application you should emphasize your skills and your aspiration to move into a technical field. Concrete examples would greatly help - if you can provide some reference to what you have already done in the technical field, and reference this in your motivation letter as well. Some of your strengths should also be listed, as I can imagine self-discipline, diligence in daily practice are also handy in music.
Good luck! -
Hi Stephen T. – Thank you for submitting your question. As one who has also moved from a non-technical field into a technical one, the general advice I offer is to strive to view things that may have been regarded as obstacles to your goal now as new opportunities instead. Paraphrasing the author Mike Bayer, stay focused on your goal by striving to be motivated by facts instead of fears, by opting for clarity over confusion, and by following evidence over emotion. In addition to formal education and training, another suggestion is to take advantage of internship opportunities if possible – both for the work experience and for the networking opportunities that internships offer. To that end, consider reviewing the Nokia open position(s) that align most with your interests at:
https://www.nokia.com/about-us/careers/student-and-graduate-opportunities/ -
This is quite an interesting career path. I know some talented engineers that are also quite accomplished musicians. Perhaps the structure or precision to music transfers. Not sure you exact background or goal but you will need some development. Online learning especially in computer science has come a long way and you can even earn degrees from recognized universities. I would suggest that to develop that foundation. I would suggest Coursera. Good luck
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Hi Stephen! First of all, congrats for having the courage to pivot and follow your dreams. Regarding how to position your resume and applications, there are certainly strengths and similarities that you can play up and draw from in your music performance and composition degrees, along with your desire to succeed in the area of software engineering. You will be surprised that writing software in many ways uses similar skill sets as writing music! I believe these synergies, along with your authenticity to pivot will carry you a long way.
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Hi Stephen, from my experience I can tell that people who are talented musically are really good coders. Somehow the rhythm and flow of music helps out. So would really encourage you to start studies of mathematics and coding if you really have interest. Also creative mind is a good at problem solving and that is what engineering is all about.
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Hello! Even though this is not my specialization I believe that having a good understanding of the main industry radio technologies is a must. So, be prepared to discuss cellular network protocols like LTE and 5G. Also, take a look at state-of-the-art algorithms used in the L1 layer.
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@Emre C., @Aly M., @András L. Any recommendations from your side?
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Hi,
While I haven't worked in traditionally "creative" fields, I believe the distinction between them and engineering is often overstated, as engineers frequently employ creativity in their daily work.
I view my role as an engineer much like a musician in a band. Just as a musician interprets and adds their unique touch to a song, engineers, while adhering to specifications and plans, contribute their individual insights. This includes suggesting improvements, advising on corrections, or asking insightful questions that propel a project forward. This perspective suggests that the skills and experiences gained in fields like music, whether as a musician or a technical professional in the music industry, are highly transferable to technology, demonstrating that creativity is a universal asset.I wish you the best!
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Hi, my take on this would be to also focus on industry certifications, such as the Nokia Routing Certifications for IP Routing, as a way to demonstrate your knowledge in a specific technical domain. Certifications helped me to get up to speed in various technical topics and they showed my peers that I am willing to invest lots of time to get skilled in that area.
All the best! -
Hi Stephen,
Great points already shared, and I’d add this: even very different fields have transferable skills. Identify the strengths you built in music and draw simple parallels to software engineering. Composing is a lot like system design, and your practice routines mirror debugging and iterating on code.
Look for intersections between your strengths and what tech needs. Structure, rhythm, and pattern recognition are powerful assets in programming, and the discipline you built through performance will help you in long development cycles.
When talking to employers, make your background part of your story. Show how it shapes your thinking and learning. Teams value fresh perspectives and strong learning mindsets. Keep building your skills and stay curious.
