PREPARING FOR YOUR FIRST JOB IN THE TECH INDUSTRY CAN BE AN EXCITING BUT DAUNTING TIME.
Whether you have recently completed your degree or undertaken an alternative route to industry, such as a fast-track industry-designed programme, your first role will always come with an element of nerves. However, with a little bit of preparation and hard work, you can set yourself up for success and land your dream job.
Below, Emma Price, Programme Manager at Agent Academy – a social enterprise designed to help young people secure jobs in the creative, digital and tech industries – has provided some steps you can take to prepare your next step.
Emma Price is a creative educator with a passion for learner-centred pedagogic research and practice. After studying and working as an art teacher, Emma decided to divert her career path in a bid to help young people transform their knowledge and talent into proven experience that would benefit them in industry. With a speciality in inclusive teaching and learning design, Emma joined Agent Academy in 2021, and now heads up the organisation’s industry-designed programmes aimed to open the doors to the creative, tech and digital industries for young people.
Emma believes self knowledge, innovation and collaboration are the most valuable skills that should be developed in young people. She is dedicated to lifelong learning and continuously developing her ability to facilitate learners’ needs in an ever-changing sector.
North West based Agent Academy trains young people to give them the skills, experience and contacts in the creative, digital and tech industries. The organisation works with local business to identify the needs industry are lacking so that it can help prime young people ready for the workplace. Previous graduates of Agent Academy’s training programme have gone on to work for household brands, including Sony Music, CGI, BBC and The Hut Group.
NETWORK
Networking is key to success in any industry, and the tech industry is no exception. The industry hosts a busy timetable of events across the country year-round, aimed to connect people while offering knowledgeable insight that will help you in your career.
Attend local meetups, conferences, and networking events. Make connections with people in the industry, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice or to reach out to someone you admire. You never know where a connection might lead.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPORTANCE OF SOFT SKILLS
Soft skills are all about how we interact with other people at work, in personal life, and in any possible modes (physically, remotely, virtually).
Through conversations with the world’s leading tech organisations, we know that soft skills are what the majority of businesses link to being the key to success and will significantly enhance an individual’s chances of employability. Unlike tech skills, soft skills are much harder to teach, therefore employers will require evidence of these skills at earlier stages of application, such as the interview and even through social media presence.
Soft skills incorporate qualities such as patience, empathy, problem solving, communication (in all forms), teamwork, time management and accountability.
FIND A MENTOR
Seeking mentorship can be extremely beneficial for people looking to break into the tech industry, especially for those who have never worked in the field before. A mentor can provide guidance and support, as well as offer valuable insights and advice on how to navigate the industry.
Mentors also act as a gateway to networking and building up your contact book with the right people. Securing mentorship early into your journey can provide valuable connections, knowledge and skills that will not only help you land your first role in the industry but bolstering your success once you’re there.
IDENTIFY WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF A ROLE
It’s important that you know what you want to gain from your next position. It’s great securing a job that comes with an attractive salary and a trendy city-centre office, but does it align with your goals, skills and morals? Can it offer you progression and opportunities for learning and development? Make sure to do your research on the employer and identify the ways you will benefit each other and how they can help you reach the next stage of your career. Don’t be scared to speak to people who work at the company to find out more about it to get a better idea of whether it is the right fit for you at this stage of your career.
FIND YOUR PASSIONS
The tech industry is one that is always evolving, and with that, there is a huge scope for pathways to venture down. I’d recommend exploring what it is that excites you and what would provide you with the most satisfaction if it translated into a full-time role. This will come from a lot of trial and error – maybe even a lot of doubt – but, allowing yourself the space to explore the industry is vital to finding your niche and what truly motivates you.
It is essential to identify your passion, fuel it with a lot of practice, and renew it from time to time.
GAIN PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE
It’s one thing to know the theory behind coding, software development or alternative desired tech pathways, but it’s another thing to be able to apply it in a real-world setting. Gaining relevant experience, no matter what stage you’re at, cannot be hailed enough. Try to gain experience through internships, work experience or personal projects. This will not only give you practical experience, but it will also make your CV stand out when you apply for roles.
By following these steps, you can put yourself in the best possible position to land your first job in the tech industry. Remember to be persistent and stay positive, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. With a bit of hard work and determination, you can achieve your goals and launch a successful career in tech.
