from career changer to software developer: why your experience is your greatest advantage

from career changer to software developer: why your experience is your greatest advantage

Breaking into tech doesn't mean starting from scratch. For software developer and technical writer Abby Perini, the journey began with a psychology degree, years in customer service and recruiting, and a decision to change careers through a coding bootcamp. After completing the program, she returned to her former employer in a completely different role: developer. Her experience navigating the staffing industry gave her an advantage that technical training alone couldn't provide. She understood the business, the people using its software, and the problems worth solving.

In a conversation with Roxy, Perini shares why transferable skills deserve more attention in tech careers. Her recruiting background shaped how she approaches job searches, including one particularly useful piece of advice: be transparent when you're interviewing with multiple companies. Giving recruiters that information can help them coordinate timelines and create opportunities for negotiation. She also challenges the idea that confidence comes naturally, explaining how technical writing, conference speaking, and learning to recognize her own accomplishments helped her overcome self-doubt. Just as important was finding a developer community that offered mentorship, honest feedback, and friendships extending far beyond professional networking.

Perini's story also explores the realities of navigating gender bias, mental health, and cancer treatment while building a career in technology. Through those experiences, one idea remains consistent: people bring more to their work than their technical abilities. Their backgrounds, relationships, creativity, and willingness to share difficult experiences can strengthen the communities around them. Watch the full conversation to hear how Perini turned an unconventional career path, personal challenges, and meaningful connections into a more confident approach to life and work.

This article was developed from a transcript of a Randstad virtual event.


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Twice a month we sit down on Discord and review resumes live. Real feedback, out loud, from people who read a lot of these: what's landing, what's burying your best work, what a hiring team skips right past. You leave knowing exactly what to fix. Spots are limited each month and we take them in the order they come in.

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