How to Build a Top Tech Career Starting in High School?

Despite all the noise surrounding artificial intelligence, IT remains one of the most popular professions. A computer science degree gives you a chance to work with some of the biggest companies in the world, creating apps, games, and different types of software.

Unfortunately, becoming an IT expert is anything but easy. On top of the fact that you have to finish a grueling curriculum, you also have to plan your educational journey early on. The best students in their respective classes usually have advanced math knowledge and start their first projects even before the first college classes. 

Plus, you also must have a certain type of personality to succeed in the field. The majority of IT professionals are natural-born self-starters and problem-solvers, which is precisely why they can innovate at such a high level. In this article, we’ll take a look at all the requirements for becoming a successful programming engineer and how to get there faster.

Focus on a Single Skill

One of the biggest mistakes future IT engineers make is trying to master several skills at once. Although being an eager beaver has its benefits, that doesn’t mean you should overwhelm yourself early on. Instead, it is much better to polish a specific skill and then build up your knowledge as you go.

If you’re just looking to start from somewhere, Python is usually a great entry point. The programming language is highly sought after by companies for its incredible versatility. Once you get the hang of the basics, you can work on web development, data science, automation, and artificial intelligence projects.

You also shouldn’t neglect some of the basic web development skills. For example, you can create quite a career by mastering JavaScript, CSS, and HTML in high school. These languages are much more suitable for individuals who are interested in interactive, visual work.

The general rule of thumb is that you should spend three to six months mastering a particular discipline before branching out. Most employers value the fact that you’ve mastered a particular skill, as it takes much more time to improve a single programming language than to learn a bit of everything. 

Invest Time in Practical Projects

Another common mistake is being overly focused on watching videos or checking out tutorials. While this type of content gives you basic theoretical knowledge, you must engage in projects to understand common challenges and bottlenecks. Programming is primarily used to solve a real-world issue, which means you should learn to think on your feet. 

Even if you do something small, such as creating a personal website, it will give you firsthand knowledge you can’t get from books. Creating a Python script or a to-do list will teach you how to solve genuine issues people have, which is something you might even try to commercialize.

These projects are vital for slowly building your portfolio. Instead of telling a potential employer which classes you’ve attended, you can show them firsthand how you code. As a high schooler, you should do your best to finish 5 to 10 projects before college. Not only will this prepare you for university, but it will also help you secure your first internships. 

Leverage Free and Structured Learning 

Many developers have taken their first lessons online. The web offers a plethora of free, easy-to-access resources for young engineers, and you would be foolish not to use them. Something that was previously exclusive to elite colleges can now be downloaded with a single click of a mouse.

The Odin Project, freeCodeCamp, and Khan Academy give you a fantastic high school head start. Here, you can find everything you need to transition from a complete beginner to a self-sufficient developer. If you’re struggling with math, we can recommend MIT OpenCourseWare and 3Blue1Brown. 

You should inquire locally about the AP Computer Science courses. Many high schools have specialized programs for ambitious students, and you should also consider dual enrollment. The great thing about these programs is that the credits count toward future degrees. On top of that, they show colleges and employers that you’ve been dedicated to programming from your early days. 

Find the Right College

Finding a suitable college that aligns with your ambitions is another thing you should address during your high school years. One thing you must remember is not to choose a school based on its prestige, but based on your fit. The program should be suited to your learning style, goals, and finances. 

Examine a school’s computer science faculty, industry partnerships, research programs, and proximity to major tech hubs. In addition to having great mentors, you must have access to nearby commercial enterprises. In the end, they’re the ones that will offer internships and, later on, employment opportunities. 

Some of the best schools in the US are Stanford, MIT, and Carnegie Mellon, and they’re hard to get into. So, before choosing a college, we recommend hiring Ivy League college consultants. These experts will point you in the right direction, as they’ve worked with numerous prospective IT students. 

Connect With Other Professionals

While many people perceive the IT industry as a solitary profession, focused on technical prowess, you would be surprised by the importance of soft skills. The ability to network with others is especially vital during your early years. Through your contacts, you’ll be able to acquire new knowledge, join projects and internships, and open other opportunities. 

We suggest you start finding other ambitious students through events such as the Congressional App Challenge and HackMIT. Mingling during a local university-run competition is also great, as it will help you find like-minded peers. Besides networking, these events give you a chance to work on relevant professional projects. 

Platforms such as Discord and GitHub are other places where you can network. Find dedicated tech servers and sift through “future” friends based on interests and goals. Among other things, these platforms are great for finding mentors and unlocking other opportunities that aren’t available through traditional education.