Entering a career in Information Technology and Communications (ITC) or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) can be both exciting and challenging. You might find yourself in unexpected places. Your career will be filled with opportunities, but also comes with challenges that require you to take risks to achieve career satisfaction and personal rewards. Whether you're a student or a recent graduate, having a solid plan and the willingness to step out of your comfort zone is essential for success.
Risk Leads to Reward and Success
Looking at it from my own career experience I spent a lot of my life and career taking risks. Moving into new roles, learning new skills, moving cities, states and countries, changing employers. Careers are built on managing opportunity, change and risk. Starting a new job, changing roles, starting a business, all come with risk. However, the negative side of risk taking can be managed through planning. The positive side can be very exciting.
Risk is essential for growth
Skills limitations and areas for your improvement can be better understood by analysing and managing the risk involved in change. This can lead you to the right training and methods to enjoy your career passions and life. It is the easy path with little risk to say you don’t need that extra skill or not ready for that next step. Moving into areas that can challenge you always comes with an element of risk. But once you are moving in that new direction it maybe far more rewarding than expected.
Managing risk is a constant part of your working life. Companies take calculated risks when they hire new employees, introduce new products, expand into new markets, or invest in innovative technologies. These actions carry the potential for substantial rewards but also the possibility of failure. The key to successful risk management lies in balancing potential benefits against potential losses, thereby optimising the chances of achieving desired outcomes.
Risk is not only important but indispensable for success. It challenges individuals and organisations and pushes them out of their comfort zone. That is essential for innovation, and to strive for greater achievements.
Risk requires hard work, preparation, training, reviews and management but the rewards are open slopes, faster cars, and ultimately success.
Planning Your Career Path
Education and Skill Development: Start by identifying the educational qualifications and skills needed in your desired field. Pursue relevant courses, certifications, and training programs. The ACS Foundation Careers Wheel is a resource that can guide you through the opportunities available.
Networking: Connect with professionals and peers in your field. Attend industry events like The Big Day In, join online forums, and participate in networking opportunities. Building a strong professional network can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and mentorship.
Practical Experience: Gain hands-on experience through internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work. Practical experience not only enhances your resume but also gives you a real-world understanding of your field.
Taking the First Step
Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Don’t be afraid to take on challenging projects or roles that push your boundaries. These experiences often lead to significant personal and professional growth.
Innovation and Creativity: Be open to experimenting with new ideas and technologies. Innovation often involves taking risks, but it can lead to breakthroughs that set you apart from others.
Continuous Learning: The IT and STEM fields are constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies. Enroll in workshops, attend seminars, and read industry publications to expand you understanding of your career choice. The Australian Computer Society has Student and Graduate Memberships just for this purpose.
Managing Risk
The first step in selecting a career path is to identify potential risks and ensuring that you understand the challenges. This can be done through brainstorming sessions with friends or mentors. Risks might be:
1. Financial: cost of the right courses or institutions,
2. Operational: do you have the right skills,
3. Strategic: does it fit with your longer-term life goals,
4. Support: do you have the support of your employer, family, friends, teachers or mentors.
Risk Assessment
Once the risks are identified, evaluate their potential impact and the likelihood of their occurrence. This assessment helps in prioritising risks based on their possible effect on your career choice.
Risk Mitigation
Establish Risk Mitigation Strategies to mitigate the identified risks. This might involve:
Eliminating activities: that impact on the choice you have chosen.
Reduction: by implementing measures to reduce the likelihood or impact of the risk.
Upskill and experience: find a different path to get you to the career that you want.
Acceptance: by seeing the potential benefits that a risky opportunity might outweigh the negatives, leading to a deliberate decision to accept the risk.
Personal Planning
When you are starting out in search of a career path it is often hard to think about forward planning. But planning is a natural part of growth. This can be seen in many areas of life, sport and business.
Athletes often have game plans tailored to their strengths and the known capabilities of their competitors. In business, planning entails identifying key risks associated with business ventures (such as market entry or product launches) and developing plans that leverage the company's strengths to capitalise on these risks. This planning includes setting clear objectives, defining actionable steps, and preparing contingency plans.
Accepting Risk Can Lead to Exciting Places
Risk exists in all the things that we do. How we respond determines the path we take. By treating risks as opportunities, you can adopt a proactive approach that not only mitigates potential downsides but also harnesses the skills that we have, and problem solving. This is much like a skilled athlete navigating the challenges and opportunities of their sport.
By managing risks effectively, individuals and businesses can protect themselves from potential downsides but also seize opportunities that others might avoid due to perceived risks. This proactive approach to risk management can become a significant driver of innovation and competitive advantage. Risk can lead to greater rewards.
Leveraging Resources from ACS Foundation
The ACS Foundation offers invaluable support to students and graduates pursuing careers in IT and STEM that can be risk mitigators. Here’s how you can benefit:
Scholarships and Internships: The ACS Foundation provides scholarships and facilitates internships that offer practical experience and financial support. These opportunities can be a significant stepping-stone in your career.
The Big Day In: This event is a fantastic platform for students and graduates to connect with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and explore career opportunities. Attending The Big Day In can provide insights and connections that are crucial for your career development.
Mentorship Programs: Access to mentors who are experienced professionals in the field can provide guidance, support, and valuable advice as you navigate your career path.
A career in IT or STEM is filled with potential, but it requires a strategic approach and the courage to take risks. Plan diligently, stay proactive in your learning, and leverage the resources available to you, such as those offered by the ACS Foundation. By doing so, you’ll be well-equipped to turn risks into rewards and achieve success in your chosen field.
For more information on the ACS Foundation and The Big Day In, visit ACS Foundation and The Big Day In.
Author: John Debrincat FACS, MAICD, Chair ACS Foundation
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