[AlwaysRock]

That is the hardest part. Certain professions give a kind of boost. If you switch from being a lawyer or some type of engineering background managers will assume you are smart. Much harder if you move from being a waiter or actor where the assumption may go the other way.

[randmeerkat]

I’ve known a lot of people that had a hard time breaking into tech, even very “smart” highly educated people. The key is persistence. If someone tells you that you can’t code because you were a waiter or an actor, they weren’t someone you wanted to work for anyway.

[AlwaysRock]

Your first point is correct. It is hard to break into tech. For almost anyone. That does not make the fact that having a background that on paper makes one appear "smarter" makes it easier to break into tech any less true.

Your second point is also true. But when getting your first job is the hardest part many people would rather do 3 months to a year under someone they wouldnt want to work for and then move to a better role than continue being a waiter or actor for the rest of their career while they hold out for a first job that is ideal.

I agree that persistence is the key but it is easier for some backgrounds than others.