Hack My Career: Meet Alek Relyea

Alek is a perfect example of persistence and adaptability, even without a traditional tech background, which can lead to success in the tech industry. In this blog, Alek shares his story and offers a valuable perspective for anyone considering a career change.

How did you transition into a tech-related role without a traditional tech background? 

My transition into tech was more accidental than intentional. With a literature degree, I naturally found myself managing restaurants after graduating. My unexpected tech detour began when I provided customer testimonials for a SaaS vendor I used for bar inventory management. 

Impressed by the innovative atmosphere, I started talking about the company to every industry friend and sending weekly leads to the founders. After six months of persistence, they hired me as a Sales Development Representative (SDR), and I quickly moved into a support/Customer Success Manager /Account Manager hybrid role, where I remained for a few years. After three years at my first startup, I transitioned to HackerOne.

What skills or qualities from your non-tech background have you found particularly valuable in your tech career?

My experience in the restaurant industry equipped me with unique skills that have been invaluable in my tech career. As a bartender, I learned to quickly understand the type of interaction and level of service a customer wants within moments of sitting down. This skill of empathy has been incredibly helpful in assessing customer sentiment in my SaaS career. 

As a restaurant manager, I often dealt with customers at their lowest points—hungry, frustrated, and irritable. Managing customer complaints becomes second nature when you’ve made a career out of quelling intense interactions. 

Lastly, the restaurant industry teaches you how to thrive in chaos. If you can’t become a multitasking master, you’ll never make it in the restaurant industry. Those multitasking skills have carried me far in my tech career.

“The ability to bounce back from setbacks and adjust to new challenges is crucial in any industry, especially tech. Keep an open mind, stay curious, and never stop learning.”

Can you share a standout project from your career and how your background contributed to its success?

I am most proud of the number of people I have been able to promote beyond my team and across the entire organization. My previous experience in leadership left me adept at recognizing potential, but I attribute this more to the great leaders I have worked under at HackerOne. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping my approach to leadership and talent development.

What advice would you give to individuals considering a career change into tech but are hesitant due to their non-tech backgrounds?

The answer to any unasked question is no. Be ruthlessly persistent in your pursuit of a career change. Anticipate the anxiety of taking a leap of faith and embrace it. You might have to start in a role you’re not excited about, but getting your foot in the door is most of the battle. Resiliency and adaptability are crucial.

“Get comfortable making connections on LinkedIn and push yourself to attend conferences and networking events. These gatherings are excellent opportunities to meet like-minded individuals and expand your network.”

Alek’s story shows how sticking it out and bringing your unique experiences can pay off. His move from restaurants to tech proves that soft skills like empathy, multitasking, and adaptability are crucial in any job. Alek’s journey reminds you that you don’t need to be a techie to make it in the tech world. Whether you're coming from a literature degree, a restaurant gig, or any other background, your unique experiences can be your biggest asset in any industry.