Sobia Iqbal, BCS Early Careers Development Officer, offers some valuable insights to help those navigating the early stages of a tech career.
Starting your career in the tech industry can feel like a whirlwind. It’s so easy to be overwhelmed by the excitement, the pressure and the daunting prospect of having to work with people more experienced than you, and it can make you feel slightly uncertain about your own experiences. It’s a period of discovery, growth and mistakes, but the potential for development is enormous.
Here are some top tips to help you get your IT career off to a strong start.
Build genuine connections, not just networks
It’s easy to think of ‘networking’ as being transactional, but genuinely connecting with people goes beyond LinkedIn connections and social media friendships. It’s about finding mentors and people you respect professionally, and developing relationships with those who see potential in you and genuinely want to help you grow. Networking strategically can pay off; however, your professional reputation is at stake, and you shouldn’t connect just because you need something from someone, as it’s easy for word to get around. Take time to understand people and their career journeys, and offer something of value in return. Mutual respect can lead to lifelong relationships that will carry you throughout your career. If you’re unsure about how to network, I recommend the book Robots Can’t Do Networking (Yet) by Gianfranco Minutolo.
Embrace the learning curve
The first few years of your career are the hardest. It’s like plunging into the deep end! If you’re lucky, you’ll work for great leaders/managers, but there is always a possibility that you’ll be leading yourself most of the time. Everything might seem unfamiliar, overwhelming and, at times, humbling. You might have to resign yourself to the fact that things won’t always go your way, and you might not know enough. There will be times when you may feel you aren’t cut out for it. The truth is that discomfort is an inherent part of the process, and embracing it, along with any setbacks that may arise, will only help you develop your resilience. Every challenge presents an opportunity to learn something new. Be patient with yourself as your knowledge will grow, your skills will sharpen, and with time, you’ll look back and realise how far you've come.
Seek feedback
At first, feedback might sting, especially if you’re trying hard and doing your best. But if someone offers criticism, build curiosity. Ask questions. Understand where you went wrong and how to improve and do better. Feedback is a gift, and being open to it demonstrates maturity and a commitment to growth. However, be careful who you seek it from; feedback is the fastest way to improve, but it’s important to learn how to spot good feedback and discard opinions that do not help you develop or move forward.
Don’t be afraid to be the newbie
Being ‘the new person’ isn’t a weakness; it’s an opportunity to learn from others and share best practices. Embrace the role of the learner, ask questions and never be shy about not knowing something. Remember, everyone started from somewhere, and it’s not always the most confident ones who know everything, even if they act like they do.
Develop soft skills
The way you communicate, empathise and collaborate will enable you to develop the skills to influence people — and let’s face it, everyone likes to work with genuinely kind people, so take time to cultivate emotional intelligence.
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difficult colleagues will have a more significant impact on your career success than you might expect. Stay curious about how you can improve in these areas and find a mentor who can help you develop further.
Demonstrate passion and integrity
Be committed and do what you say you’re going to do. Let your work speak for itself and be a team player. Take ownership of your tasks, even if they’re small. Never overpromise and underdeliver. Bring your best energy and effort to every project, meeting and task. When you do this with integrity, it builds your reputation as someone who can be trusted and relied upon. It shows you care.
Don’t be afraid to push boundaries
Help your leaders or organisation to solve problems. Volunteer for new responsibilities even if they are not in your remit. Even if you fail (and you might), the experience is invaluable. Growth comes from pushing limits, and sometimes the most valuable lessons are those we learn from our mistakes.
Remember that balance is key
It’s tempting, especially when you're trying to prove yourself, to pour all of your energy into your work and sacrifice other parts of your life. We’ve all been there. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself emotionally, physically and mentally, your work will eventually suffer. Learn to say ‘no’ when necessary. Your early career is about laying the foundations for long-term success, which means making time for your health, relationships, passions and hobbies outside of work. When you have a well-rounded life, you bring more to the table at work too.
Have patience with yourself
Your career will not unfold in a straight line. It might be a squiggly one. There will be detours, delays and moments of doubt. It’s so vital for you to talk to people you trust in these moments. It’s okay not to have it all figured out. Your first few years are about exploring possibilities, discovering what you love and working out where you want to go next. Social media is not accurate, so don’t compare your journey to others'. Everyone’s timeline is different, with varying starting points. Trust that every experience, even a difficult one, is contributing to your growth in some way.
Celebrate your wins, no matter how small
Every step forward is worth celebrating. Whether you landed your first big project or just learned a new skill, take a moment to reflect and acknowledge your growth. These small wins are what add up to more significant achievements in the long run. Celebrate your success openly and online with your colleagues and network. Show them what you've been working on. No one will advocate for you, so you will have to do it for yourself.
Above all, remember this: early in your career, you are planting seeds for your future. The journey might seem slow, frustrating or uncertain at times. But with every experience, you're building something meaningful. Be kind to yourself, take risks, and most importantly, stay true to who you are. If you need coaching or mentoring, don’t hesitate to reach out to others for support. A good place to start is with the Early Careers Executive, where you can receive valuable advice and support to help navigate those early years.
