Australian ex-serviceman’s tech switch showcases career change wave

An Australian ex-serviceman has transitioned from a military career to a senior role in web development, highlighting the growing trend of mid-career changes across the country. Brett Earle, who previously served as a combat engineer in the Australian Army, taught himself programming and joined data strategy and analytics firm Notitia, where he has since advanced to a senior position.

Career transitions

Earle is among the 1.3 million Australians who changed jobs during the year ending February 2023. Olivia Salvitti, Co-Founder and Career Counsellor at Pro ME Career Services, had witnessed a noticeable increase in career changes at the time, including among ex-ADF members. Salvitti said, "As a career counsellor, I was seeing growth in the number of people seeking to shift their career path."

She added, "Career changing isn't something new, but what was unusual then was the increase. At that point, Australia was experiencing the highest rate of job movement since 2012."

Participating in industry meet-ups led Earle to Notitia, which hired him based on his skills and values rather than formal certifications. "Having worked at Notitia for more than three years, now I can see that they employed me on a values and culture fit - they recognised my 'hunger' to grow my skills," said Earle."

Cost and ambition

Salvitti noted that career pivots do not always require significant expenditure. "People generally think that it will take them years to financially recover from changing careers, when in fact it can actually boost income, in a short amount of time," said Salvitti. Career counselling, she explained, often focuses on strengths, values, ambition and planning to match individuals to appropriate fields.

Earle's own journey was self-driven and involved extensive self-study while still employed full-time. "I would get up at 4am to study for three hours, go to work, then come home to study for another few hours, before going to sleep and doing it all over again," said Earle.

He explained, "I followed a free curriculum by figuring out what I needed to know and learning it. After eight months, I had put myself through my own intensive coding and programming bootcamp."

Participating in industry meet-ups led Earle to Notitia, which hired him based on his skills and values rather than formal certifications. "Having worked at Notitia for more than a year, now I can see that they employed me on a values and culture fit - they recognised my 'hunger' to grow my skills," said Earle.

Hiring perspectives

Alex Avery, Founder and Managing Director of Notitia, said, "I don't necessarily look for direct experience, but I want to see transferable skills and a great culture fit, which is about self-motivation, the ability to ask the right questions and forge out-of-the-box solutions." He added, "From the very start we've prioritised getting the 'right' people on board, genuinely looking after them and ensuring that we're clear on every employee's career progression."

Avery said Notitia provided Earle with mentorship to facilitate his growth within the company, which resulted in him taking on more responsibility quickly. "This is something that's a win-win for everyone because our people all have the right mindset and skills to produce amazing results for our business. It's a no-brainer to invest heavily in our team, because we get back multiples on what we put in."

Private sector role

Salvitti believes more private sector support is needed to support career development. "Comprehensive training and mentorship programs empower employees at all levels to upskill and explore new opportunities," she said. "These initiatives foster a culture of continuous learning and promote internal mobility, allowing employees to chart their own career trajectories. I would like to see more of Australia's private sector invest in long-term development and create environments where people are empowered to take ownership of their career progression."

Sector opportunities

Australia faces shortages in booming sectors, with roles in tech, the renewables sector, and cyber security in high demand. Salvitti explained, "In today's job market, employers increasingly appreciate the significance of transferable skills, viewing them as a valuable asset to any workplace. Career changers, with a diverse skill set, bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of expertise, enriching their new roles and contributing to a dynamic work environment."

According to the Tech Council of Australia, the country will require 653,000 additional tech workers by 2030. Software engineering is among the fastest-growing careers, with projections suggesting job growth of 13.7% from 2021 to 2026. Tech Council data also shows that tech roles tend to be well paid, stable and flexible.

For Earle, the change represents a long-term commitment. "I don't see myself wanting to change my career as a software engineer, for a very long time, if not, ever," he said.