Rae Forward
The books
Two books. Several formats. Pick the one that suits how you actually read and work.
The book
Getting Into Tech (Without Starting Over)
You don’t need to be technical. You just need this book.
“I’m not technical enough to work in tech.” If you have ever said that, or thought it, this book is for you.
It helps you work out where you actually fit in tech. Not in a vague, motivational way, in a practical, structured way. What the roles actually are and what people in them do all day. Which skills you already have that transfer. What you can realistically earn. What you genuinely need to learn, and what you can safely ignore. How to position yourself so that people take you seriously.
There are reflective exercises throughout, so you are thinking as you read rather than just absorbing.
Print · Ebook PDF · epub
The companion workbook
Getting Into Tech: The Companion Workbook
Reflect. Explore. Take Action. The Deeper Work Starts Here.
A structured six-part workbook for doing the real work. It takes you through your strengths, your working style, the kind of environment you actually thrive in, and turns all of it into a personal action plan you can follow.
It includes the full Rae(l) Strengths assessment, which does not appear anywhere else.
It works alongside the book, and it is equally powerful on its own if you want to start from scratch and figure out where you truly fit.
Print · Ebook PDF
Not sure where to start
Which one are you?
I want to understand what tech actually is
Start with the book. It gives you the full picture: the roles, the six areas, the salaries, the learning routes, and how to talk about yourself credibly. Read it once, then go back to the bits that matter to you.
I know I want in, I just don’t know where I fit
Start with the workbook. It is built around you rather than the industry: your strengths, your working style, what you actually want from work, and a plan you write yourself.
Formats
Which format should you choose?
The full experience, in your hands. The book is A5 perfect bound. The workbook is A5 wire spiral-bound on premium bond paper so it lies flat and takes a pen properly. Posted to you.
Ebook PDF
The exact page design of the print edition, delivered instantly. Best on a tablet or a large screen. The workbook is only available digitally as a PDF, because the layout matters.
epub
Reflowable text for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books and every other e-reader. Main book only. Adjusts to your screen and your font size.
Better together
Buy them as a pair.
The book gives you the knowledge and the context. The workbook gives you the space to apply it. Together they work as a complete programme, from understanding what tech actually is right through to building your own plan for getting into it.
The Digital Bundle
The book and the workbook, both as ebook PDFs. Delivered instantly. Read on any device, print the workbook pages you want to write on.
The Print Bundle
Both books in print, posted to you. The perfect pairing if you like to read on paper and write your thinking down by hand.
Before you buy
The questions people ask most.
Do I need a degree to work in tech?
No. The majority of non-technical roles in tech do not require a degree, and many of the people already doing those jobs do not have one. What matters far more is that you can demonstrate relevant skills, show that you are learning, and understand the role you are applying for. If you do have a degree in any subject it is still worth including, but it is not the thing that will get you the role.
Am I too old to change careers?
No. There is no age limit on building a career in tech. Holly completed a degree in her 30s through an apprenticeship and is completing a Master’s now in her 40s. People make successful moves into tech in their 30s, 40s and 50s. What you bring at that stage, real-world experience, emotional intelligence, the ability to handle pressure, is genuinely valuable. Some organisations do carry unconscious bias and you may meet it, but it is not universal and it should not stop you.
How long will it take to get into tech?
It depends where you are starting from, which role you are aiming for, and how much time you can invest. For entry-level roles like IT support, service desk or project coordinator, it is not unusual to be ready to apply within three to six months of focused learning. For roles needing more specific knowledge, such as business analysis, data or product management, allow six to twelve months to build a credible foundation. The people who move fastest pick one direction rather than trying to learn everything.
Do I need to learn to code?
For the vast majority of roles covered in the book, no. Project management, business analysis, data governance, change management, IT support, UX research, digital marketing and product management do not require you to write code. What helps is a basic conceptual understanding of how technology works, so you can communicate well with technical teams. That is very different from knowing how to code.
What if I apply and don’t get the job?
You apply again. Rejection is a normal part of the process, not a signal that you are not good enough. Most people apply for several roles before landing one. Ask for feedback where you can, take it seriously when you get it, and look honestly at whether your answers were tailored to that role and that organisation or could have been given in any interview anywhere. Generic answers are one of the most common reasons strong candidates fall short.
In development
Getting Into Tech: Just Starting Out
Nobody decides they know everything about sport after one PE lesson.
Yet plenty of teenagers decide tech is not for them after a few hours in a computer room, and never look at it again.
This is the main book rewritten for 13 to 16 year olds. What the industry actually is, the six areas within it, where they might fit, every route in, and the skills worth building now while they still have time. Reflective questions throughout, and written to them as adults rather than talked down to.
Full colour throughout, A5, and designed to be picked up rather than assigned.
For parents, teachers and schools
Register your interest and you will hear when it is ready. Nothing else will land in your inbox.
Schools and organisations
Buying for a group?
Careers teams, colleges, universities, employers and community organisations all use these books with the people they support. Bulk orders come at a discount.
35% off
On orders of twenty copies or more, across either title
100+
Larger orders are worth a conversation. Better rates are available
Tell us what you need and who it is for, and you will get a straight answer with pricing and timescales. Holly is also available to speak to school and college groups.
Ready when you are.
Every format, both books and both bundles are in the shop.