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From Teaching to Tech: My Career Change with the CFGdegree
If you had told me a few years ago that I would be working as a Senior Data Analyst at United Utilities, I would not have believed you. Like many CFG students, my journey from teaching to tech was not a straight line. It was shaped by curiosity, career changes, and the confidence to try something new.
From Biomedical Science to Rethinking My Future
I graduated with a degree in Biomedical Science, excited to begin a career in science. However, once I started working in a laboratory, I realised the reality did not match my expectations. The work was repetitive and highly structured, and while it was important, it did not challenge or inspire me in the way I had hoped. I began to reflect on what I really wanted from my career. I wanted work that felt meaningful, dynamic, and people focused. That led me to my next chapter.
Seven Years in Teaching and the Turning Point
I moved into teaching, where I spent seven years working with young people in the classroom. Teaching gave me purpose and helped me develop strong communication skills, resilience, and adaptability. It was rewarding work, and for a long time, it felt like the right place for me. After Covid, however, teaching became increasingly challenging. Behavioural issues increased, workloads grew heavier, and the emotional demands of the role became harder to manage. I found myself questioning whether this was a sustainable long term career for me. I knew I needed a change, but I did not yet know what that change would be. My journey from teaching to tech was about to begin.
Discovering Data and Falling in Love with SQL
My introduction to tech came through curiosity rather than a clear plan. I came across SQL while exploring ways to understand data more effectively and decided to give it a try. I started learning through YouTube tutorials and simple practice exercises, and very quickly, I was hooked. For the first time in a long while, learning felt exciting again. I loved the problem solving aspect of SQL and the way data could be used to answer real world questions. It gave me a sense of control and creativity that I had been missing. What started as casual learning soon became something more serious.
Finding CFG and Taking the Leap
While scrolling on TikTok one day, I came across an advert for the CFGdegree starting in Spring 2024. It immediately stood out to me. A clear pathway into tech, a supportive learning environment, and a focus on building confidence alongside technical skills. I applied, unsure if I would be accepted, but knowing I would regret not trying. When I received my acceptance, it felt like a turning point. For the first time, moving from teaching to tech felt genuinely achievable.
Learning with Confidence and Community
The CFGdegree taught me far more than technical skills. It helped me rebuild confidence in my ability to learn and grow. Coming from a teaching background, I was used to structure, but tech pushed me to become comfortable with not knowing everything straight away.
Through the CFGdegree, I learned the importance of hands-on practice, asking questions, and learning alongside others who were on similar journeys. The sense of community and encouragement made a huge difference, especially as someone transitioning from a non traditional tech background. My previous experience turned out to be a strength. Teaching helped me communicate clearly, science strengthened my analytical thinking, and the CFGdegree helped me connect those skills to real world data problems.
One Year Later: Senior Data Analyst at United Utilities
Just one year after starting the CFGdegree, I secured a role as a Senior Data Analyst at United Utilities. It still feels surreal. I now work with data every day, solving problems, uncovering insights, and supporting decisions that have real impact. The role challenges me, keeps me learning, and gives me the balance and fulfilment I was looking for in my career.
What CFG Helped Me Realise
CFG helped me understand that changing careers does not mean starting from scratch. Every role I had before contributed to where I am now. Biomedical science gave me attention to detail. Teaching gave me resilience and communication skills. The CFGdegree gave me the technical foundation and confidence to step into tech. You do not need to come from a traditional tech background to succeed. What you need is curiosity, commitment, and a supportive environment that believes in your potential.
Conclusion
If you are considering a career change but feel unsure, know that you are not alone. Many CFG students start exactly where I did, questioning what comes next. It is never too late to learn something new. Your existing skills matter. And with the right support, a career in tech is possible. Sometimes all it takes is curiosity, one SQL query, and the confidence to say yes to yourself.
