Insights: Exploring Careers in Industries of the Future
This engaging panel session brought together early-career professionals working across data science and technology to share honest insights into their career journeys.
The session opened with a live audience poll exploring participants’ career stages, biggest questions, and confidence levels about their future paths. A key theme quickly emerged: many attendees felt uncertain about their next steps, particularly around choosing subjects, identifying suitable careers, and understanding real-world job pathways.
Digdata Founder, Rachel Keane emphasised that there is no single “perfect” career path, and instead encouraged curiosity, exploration, and learning through experience.
The panel featured three professionals with very different routes into tech:
- Phoebe Everitt, Data Science Apprentice at Pfizer
- Matteo Guarnaccia, Software Engineer Apprentice at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
- Rohan Vinod, Data Scientist at IBM
No Straight Line into Tech Careers
Each panellist shared how their interests and career plans evolved over time. Phoebe reflected on initially considering very different roles such as paramedicine and air traffic control before discovering data science later on. Matteo described having an early interest in programming but no clear direction after school, while Rohan shared childhood ambitions of becoming a rocket scientist or race engineer.
A shared message across all three stories was clear: very few people have a fixed career plan early on, and uncertainty is completely normal.
Choosing the Right Path – Apprenticeships, University, and Exploration
The discussion explored different routes into industry, including university degrees and apprenticeships. Phoebe explained that she preferred learning by doing and ultimately chose a practical apprenticeship route that better suited her learning style. Matteo shared how he applied to both university and apprenticeship routes before choosing an opportunity that aligned with his passion for science and research.
Rohan reflected on his university experience, explaining that while he valued aspects of his degree, he found the learning style less practical than expected. He realised early on that he needed a more applied, real-world environment, which later led him into data science.
Discovering Careers Through “Detective Work”
A strong theme from the session was the importance of exploration. Matteo and Phoebe both described actively researching roles, attending open days, speaking to professionals, and applying widely before making decisions.
This “career detective work” helped them understand not just job titles, but what roles actually involve day-to-day—something the panel stressed can vary significantly between companies.
Skills That Matter Most: Communication and Adaptability
While technical skills such as coding and data analysis were important, all panellists emphasised the critical role of soft skills, particularly communication.
Rohan explained that working in consultancy requires translating complex technical ideas for non-technical stakeholders, making communication one of the most valuable skills in his role. Matteo added that running a business alongside his apprenticeship strengthened his adaptability, problem-solving, and ability to act quickly in fast-moving environments.
The panel agreed that soft skills often determine how effectively technical expertise can be applied in real-world settings.
Learning by Doing and Embracing Uncertainty
Phoebe highlighted how learning through experience builds confidence, especially when things do not go as planned. She explained that challenges and mistakes often become valuable learning opportunities that improve problem-solving skills over time.
Rohan shared how feedback from unsuccessful applications motivated him to improve his skills and focus on real-world projects. Matteo encouraged attendees to trust the process and remain open to changing direction as opportunities arise.
Careers of the Future Are Already Here
The panel also explored emerging industries such as AI, space, and data science. Rohan noted that every industry today is becoming data-driven, creating opportunities for those with digital and analytical skills across sectors like healthcare, finance, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals.
Matteo added that research environments such as STFC already apply data science to areas including physics research, quantum computing, and even health-related innovation.
Final Advice: Be Brave, Stay Curious, and Try Things Early
Each panellist closed with advice for their younger selves, with consistent themes emerging:
- Don’t worry if you don’t have a plan
- Trust the process and stay open to change
- Try different opportunities early
- Learn by doing and don’t fear mistakes
Rachel Keane summarised that career paths are rarely linear. Instead, they evolve through exploration, experience, and stepping into opportunities even when the outcome is uncertain.
In summary, the session reinforced a powerful message for learners at all stages: there is no single path into future careers. Instead, success comes from curiosity, adaptability, and the confidence to keep moving forward—even when the destination isn’t fully clear yet.
You can watch the full recording here.
