A career in tech is something many people desire but mainly only those who work in it understand. The definition is broad, there are countless paths to take, and most of the time, this freedom of choice can be kept once one starts working as well. The range of opportunities and appealing pay grades are more than attractive, and paired with the hospitality of the community it’s truly one of the best markets to enter. If you’re considering studying within the field, or are looking for a push to switch careers, this article is for you. We put together a list of what to do to kickstart your career in STEM, step by step, right from the beginning!

1. Do your research

Technology is a very broad field. Different areas require different skills, so aiming for being an expert in everything might be a bit too ambitious. First, you need to decide what you are interested in, what you like to do, what you enjoy spending your time with, and which methods or frames you like to think and work within. Before you decide what’s your cup of tea, we recommend you learn a bit about the main areas.

You can start your research with basically any keyword. Just run a search and read, read and read until you gain a general understanding of the topic. We give you a brief keyword list here too, so you can start your research

• 1) Frontend vs Backend
• 2) Mobile Development
• 3) Web Development
• 4) Product Design and Product Management
• 5) UI/UX  Designing
• 6) Data Science
• 7) Artificial Intelligence

These keywords will provide you with a general understanding of what different areas of tech look like, and possibly help you establish a list of priorities based on your interests. The next step is searching for exact roles within the area you find the most interesting and collecting all information available on the role you like the most. You might reach out to people that already work in the field, or shoot a mail to recruiters like us to explain your options, look up job descriptions or search through platforms like Reddit or Linkedin. Some questions you might want an answer for:

• 1) What’s the best part of the job?
• 2) What do I need to know in order to succeed in this role?
• 3) What are some extra skills I could pick up?
• 4) How and where can I study for this job?

To be honest, it is almost impossible to not find information about the different areas in technology online. We still recommend opting for personal insights, either through your present position or by reaching out to people that already have your dream job. If you decide to message random people on the internet, needless to say, you should be polite, but cut straight to the point to even have a chance for an answer. You could also try applying for jobs that are close to the actual field you’d like to enter, to be able to monitor what others do on a daily basis and build your knowledge based on that.

2. Decide which path to take

After carrying out the necessary research and defining your key interests, setting a clear goal is essential to be able to define the necessary stepping stones. Whether it’s a job, or simply broadening your knowledge within a certain field, you will need a good plan to reach everything you desire. The good thing about goal setting is that everything is possible, some targets are just a bit harder to hit. Here are some things to consider during writing your action plan:

• – Think about your current (transferrable) skills. There’s a possibility that you already possess skills your future job requires, from previous experiences or just simple interests. Make sure to notice and consider them!
• – It is important to know that choosing to pursue a certain tech role because you are passionate about it is great. But it’s also ok to choose a role because you believe the opportunities are better, and you can imagine yourself in a certain role. We recommend considering every aspect of work before you make a decision.
• – Choose where you will study. Knowing the basics is essential so research your opportunities before sending in your application to a shady 1-week course. At the end of the day, you can try to apply for university, take courses or even spend days learning from youtube but choose your path wisely.
• – Choose to study effectively after learning the basics. Many places seek experience rather than diplomas, so applying for an internship might be just as useful as completing numerous courses.
• – Find a role model, or even better, a mentor. Learning from each other is coded in our DNA. It’s one of the most important and effective ways to acquire new skills, even more so if you have a mentor to answer questions along every step of the way.
• – Motivation is not just a nicely framed trendy phase. Knowing your drives will help you stay productive and avoid burnout, make sure to consider them before making a choice.

3. Just get started

As scary as it sounds, just start doing something. Apply for a course, reach out to people about opportunities, start writing a to do list… anything that takes you closer to your goals. Many people fall into the trap of dreaming and fantasizing about possible futures, while they could achieve much more than they are able to think of. The first step is always the hardest, but even if it may seem like a lot to take in at first, your steps will always outline the next ones, and progressively you won’t feel like you have no idea of what you’re doing.

Consistency will be one of the greatest enemies you will have to face. As appealing as they seem, every tech-related position requires great knowledge. You will have to learn a lot in order to even understand what is going on around you, but if you remain committed, we promise it is possible.

Always remember that you are free to make mistakes and even changes to your plans. It’s okay to switch paths if you realize something isn’t for you. Explore your options, find opportunities that excite you, and don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone!