first things first: you are not letting anyone down
if you are carrying guilt about leaving healthcare, pause. that guilt is internal, not real. no one else has to live your day to day except you. healthcare is part of a broken system, and choosing yourself is not a failure.
if you have the sunday scaries, remember:
monday doesn’t have to feel awful (trust me - i went from crying on sunday nights having patient anxiety, to now spending monday mornings making coffee at home and reading before work.)
why tech, and why it makes sense for healthcare workers
healthcare professionals are:
calm under pressure
strong problem solvers
organised, disciplined, and resilient
used to complex systems and difficult people
tech companies need these skills, often without requiring you to code.
common benefits:
higher income ceilings
faster career progression
remote and flexible work
less physical and emotional burnout
you do not need to know how to code
tech does not automatically mean engineering.
there are many non technical roles where healthcare workers do extremely well.
here are some roles where i think health professionals can thrive:
customer support and customer experience
if you have worked in healthcare, you already know how to:
de escalate stressful situations
communicate clearly in high pressure environments
manage multiple stakeholders
in tech, a crisis is usually an unhappy customer, far lower stakes than healthcare (no cpr needed).
career progression: cx manager, head of cx, you could potentially move into a product role from here too
operations and executive assistant roles
if you survived healthcare exams, placements, and shift work, you’re probably super organised - and you can do operations.
these roles involve:
organisation and prioritisation
managing lots of moving parts
keeping a business running behind the scenes
career progression: ops manager, head of ops, biz ops, strategy, chief of staff, people and culture
*in my opinion this role is quietly the best for moving into other positions, but i do worry that entry level ops roles in general will be replaced by ai agents
this was my personal wedge out of healthcare.
you do not need permission to start:
use your phone
create content
tag or send it to brands
build proof instead of credentials
career progression: this can lead to roles like content creator, social media manager, or growth/marketing roles.
community and partnerships
healthcare workers are naturally good at:
building trust
creating a sense of belonging
nurturing long term relationships
community roles often include ambassador programs, partnerships, and user engagement.
coding is optional
if you are maths or science inclined, coding can be an option, but it is not required.
no need for another degree
learn on the side
bootcamps and modern ai tools make this far more accessible
many people reach a solid skill level in 6 to 12 months.
expect to start lower, but do not fear it
you may enter tech at a more junior title, but:
pay is often similar or better than mid or senior level healthcare roles
growth is faster
income is less capped
titles and attitude matter less than trajectory.
how to actually find tech and startup roles
many roles are not advertised on seek or indeed.
a better approach
look at venture capital firms (blackbird and airtree are some players in aus)
review their portfolio companies
identify startups that have recently raised money
these companies are often growing and hiring.
important: i can say with absolute confidence that sometimes early stage startups have no idea who to hire, or they need a bit of a scrappy generalist. this is your opportunity to create a role for yourself!
dm the founder
at very early stage startups, hiring is often based on:
mindset
culture fit
willingness to learn
breadcrumbs - have you left a trail somewhere (personal brands help you stand out here)
one direct message can outperform a formal application.
understanding startup risk
be honest with yourself about risk tolerance.
earlier stage startups
easier to get hired
higher risk
more equity
later stage startups or scale ups
harder to break into
more stability
less equity
if you have high debt, a mortgage, or kids, later stage companies may be a better fit. that is okay.
equity and upside
some startups offer equity on top of salary.
in rare but real cases, early employees have been able to sell shares and significantly change their financial position (like canva).
this is not guaranteed, but it is part of the upside.
final reminder
you do not need to have it all figured out.
you do not need to quit tomorrow.
you just need to start.
be kind to yourself. take naps. buy the $7 matcha if you need it.
building a life that actually fills your cup is allowed 🙂