Becoming an IT Graduate as a Mature Student: The Reality No One Talks About

 Becoming an IT Graduate as a Mature Student: The Reality No One Talks About

Going to university as a mature student was one of the hardest and most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Studying IT later in life meant juggling responsibilities, self-doubt, and the pressure of starting again in a completely new industry. Graduating felt like a huge achievement. But stepping into the job market as a new IT graduate who isn’t new to work at all came with its own set of challenges.

What I quickly realised is that breaking into IT as a mature graduate isn’t just about technical skills. It’s about confidence, reframing experience, and learning how to tell your story in a way employers understand.

Sheffield Hallam University

Challenging the Assumptions of Employers and Recruiters

One of the first hurdles I encountered was assumption. There’s a quiet expectation in some recruitment processes that a “graduate” is young, fresh out of university, and at the very start of their working life. As a mature graduate, I've often felt like I don’t fit the mould.

I worried that employers might assume I’d struggle to adapt, be slower to learn, or resist new ways of working. What I’ve learned, though, is that these assumptions only stick if I let them.

I now talk openly about my career change. I explain that choosing to return to education wasn’t accidental, it was a deliberate decision to reskill, invest in myself, and move into an industry with long-term potential. That choice shows motivation, resilience, and commitment. When framed properly, my age and background become strengths, not liabilities.

Talking About Experience from a Different Industry

For a long time, I felt insecure about not having “real” IT experience. My previous roles were in a completely different industry, and I worried employers would dismiss them as irrelevant.

Over time, I realised how much I was undervaluing my own experience.

I may not have been working in IT, but I was still solving problems, working with systems, supporting people, managing pressure, and learning quickly. I’ve had to learn how to translate that experience into language that makes sense to IT employers.

I don't focus on job titles, now I focus on skills:

• Problem-solving under pressure

• Supporting users or customers

• Learning new systems quickly

• Communicating clearly with non-technical people

These skills don’t disappear just because you change industries. If anything, they become even more valuable.

Topping Up My Qualifications with Short Courses

While my degree gave me a solid foundation, I quickly realised that technology doesn’t stand still. To boost my confidence and fill gaps in my knowledge, I started my own projects at home that were based around using technologies that weren't part of the course and taking short online courses alongside my job search is part of my personal development strategy.

These courses helped me in two ways. First, they allowed me to build practical, hands-on skills that employers often look for. Second, they showed that I’m committed to continuous self-improvement andsomething that’s essential in IT.

I didn’t try to learn everything at once, one of the most important skills I learned at Hallam was learning how to fix problems and learn new things when I wasn't in a lecture. I focus on areas relevant to the roles I'm applying for and make sure I can talk about what I’d actually learned and used in practice rather than seeing something someone else's project online.

Being Open to Relocating for My First IT Role

Another reality I face is location. Entry-level IT roles can be competitive, and opportunities aren’t evenly spread. While relocating isn’t an option for everyone, I have to seriously consider whether being flexible could help me get my foot in the door.

I came to understand that my first IT job doesn’t have to be perfect. It needs to give me experience, exposure, and a starting point. Once I'm in the industry, my future moves will become much easier.

Thinking about relocation has to be part of my strategy.

Creating a LinkedIn Profile for the First Time

Setting up a LinkedIn account as a mature graduate felt surprisingly uncomfortable. I was surrounded by profiles full of impressive job titles and years of experience, and it was hard not to compare myself.

What helped was realising that LinkedIn isn’t about having everything figured out, it’s about showing direction.

I focus on being honest about where I am and where I want to go. I've connected with classmates, lecturers, recruiters, and people already working in roles I aspire to. By engaging with posts and sharing my learning journey I am becoming more visible to recruiters and employers.

Building a presence takes time, but it’s one of the most valuable tools I’ve found for my career development.

Developing a Portfolio and Showing What I Can Do

One of the most empowering steps I’ve taken is building a portfolio. When you don’t have years of experience, showing your work can speak louder than your CV.

My portfolio doesn’t contain huge, complex projects (yet!) but what it does show is curiosity, effort, and growth. Each project will help me explain:

• What problem I was solving

• What tools or technologies I used

• What I learned along the way

Having something tangible to talk about has boosted my confidence enormously, especially in interviews.

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Final Thoughts

Being a mature IT graduate comes with doubts, challenges, and moments of feeling out of place. But it also comes with resilience, life experience, and a level of determination that can’t be taught in a classroom.

I didn’t take the traditional route into IT but that doesn’t make my journey any less valid. If anything, it’s proof that it’s never too late to learn something new, change direction, and build a future you’re proud of.

If you’re a mature student or career changer reading this, know that your background matters. You just need to learn how to tell your story and trust that it’s worth hearing.

I don't have all the answers my ideas are just ideas so if you have any better ideas than can help me please let me know!

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