Transitioning into the tech industry might seem daunting without a formal computer science degree, but it’s entirely possible, especially in Brazil’s rapidly growing tech ecosystem.
With the demand for tech talent continuing to outpace the supply, employers are increasingly prioritizing skills and experience over traditional education.
If you’re looking to break into the industry, here’s how you can do it—step by step.


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Wait, why am I writing about Brazil?!
- I am a career coach located in Germany
- I build a community of Brazilian devs on LinkedIn and across other platforms
- I helped 100s Brazilian developers with career advice to get interviews, offers, relocation packages
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1. Identify Your Niche in Tech

The first step is understanding the various roles available in tech.
You don’t need to be a software developer to work in the tech industry—there are numerous other opportunities that don’t require advanced coding skills.

Some tech career paths to explore include:

• Product Management: Overseeing the development of products from concept to launch.
• Data Analysis: Analyzing data to help companies make informed decisions.
• User Experience (UX) Design: Ensuring that users have a seamless interaction with products.

Pro Tip: Explore job descriptions to get a feel for what excites you. Job boards like Gupy and Catho can provide insights into roles available in Brazil.

2. Leverage Free and Paid Resources to Learn

Once you’ve identified your niche, the next step is to start learning. Fortunately, many tech skills can be self-taught through various online platforms that cater to beginners. You don’t need to enroll in a full-time university program.

Here’s where you can start:

• Free resources: Codecademy, Coursera (has free tech courses), and Khan Academy.
• Paid resources: Udemy and Alura, a Brazilian platform offering Portuguese-language courses in programming, data science, and UX/UI design.

Pro Tip: Set aside at least 5-10 hours per week for self-study. Consistency is key when developing new skills.

3. Build Your Portfolio

Once you have some foundational skills, it’s time to put them into practice. A portfolio is essential to showcase your abilities to potential employers, even if you don’t have formal work experience.

Steps to build your portfolio:

• Work on personal projects: Develop a simple app, create websites for friends or local businesses, or analyze open datasets.
• Contribute to open-source projects: GitHub has thousands of projects you can contribute to.
• Freelance: Platforms like Workana (popular in Brazil) allow you to take on small projects for clients while building your portfolio.

Pro Tip: Don’t focus solely on making your projects perfect; aim to show your problem-solving abilities. Even a simple project can demonstrate your skills effectively.

4. Network in the Brazilian Tech Community

Networking plays a critical role in landing a job in tech, especially when you’re trying to break into the industry without formal credentials. Brazil has a thriving tech community with meetups, hackathons, and conferences where you can connect with professionals and recruiters.

Where to network:

• Online platforms: LinkedIn (join tech groups), Dev.to (write about your learning journey), and Stack Overflow (contribute to discussions).
• Events and meetups: Participate in tech meetups through platforms like Meetup or Sympla.
• Hackathons: These are great ways to build experience while networking. Look for events on platforms like Shawee (Brazilian hackathon platform).

Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the power of a strong LinkedIn profile. In Brazil, LinkedIn is a major platform for recruiters searching for tech talent, so make sure your profile highlights your skills and projects.

5. Gain Real-World Experience

If you feel ready to start working in tech, internships, apprenticeships, and entry-level roles can give you that much-needed experience. Even if the pay isn’t substantial at first, gaining real-world experience is invaluable.

Some ways to get started:

• Tech internships: Look for opportunities through Brazilian job boards like Vagas.com.br or Trampos.co.
• Volunteer work: Offer your tech skills to NGOs or small businesses in Brazil that might need support with their tech infrastructure.
• Freelance: Continue building your portfolio while earning on platforms like 99Freelas or Workana.

Pro Tip: When applying for internships or junior roles, tailor your resume to focus on relevant skills and projects. Employers want to see that you’ve already applied your knowledge in real scenarios.

6. Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

The tech world is dynamic, and what’s in-demand today might not be tomorrow. Stay ahead by constantly updating your knowledge and keeping an eye on emerging technologies.

How to stay updated:

• Tech news: Follow Brazilian tech blogs such as TecMundo and Olhar Digital for local insights.
• Podcasts: Tech podcasts like "Hipsters Ponto Tech" cover a wide range of tech topics in Portuguese.
• Conferences: Attend major tech conferences in Brazil like "The Developers Conference (TDC)" or Campus Party.

Pro Tip: Subscribe to newsletters or join Telegram groups that discuss tech trends and job opportunities in Brazil.

7. Prepare for Interviews and Highlight Transferable Skills

When it comes to interviews, you might worry about not having a traditional tech background, but here’s where you can turn that to your advantage.
Emphasize your transferable skills, whether they come from another industry or a previous career.

Focus on:

• Problem-solving: Explain how you’ve solved problems in your past roles, even if they weren’t tech-related.
• Adaptability: Highlight your ability to learn new tools quickly, a critical skill in tech.
• Communication: In tech, the ability to communicate complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders is invaluable.

Pro Tip: Practice common interview questions related to your desired role.
For example, if you’re applying for a UX design role, prepare answers about your design process and how you handle feedback.

Conclusion: Take the Leap into Tech

Transitioning into a tech career without a computer science degree is not only possible, but with Brazil’s growing tech scene, it’s an exciting time to make the switch. By focusing on practical skills, building a portfolio, networking strategically, and staying up-to-date with trends, you can set yourself up for success.

If you are ready, I'm here to apply.
I’m Regina, a career coach that help people get a job abroad - remote or with relocation
Book a career consultation with me and take the next step toward your dream job.