Where next? Careers in computing, technology and digital
From engineering vision systems for self-driving cars to keeping our nation’s infrastructure safe with cybersecurity skills, careers in computing, technology and digital have never been more diverse and exciting. We are on the cusp of an AI revolution, and many of the careers our young people will shape have not yet been invented.
The Department for Education’s Unit for Future Skills suggests that digital skills are critical to the future of most jobs, while the Department for Culture, Media and Sport found such skills required for 82% of all jobs posted online. Specialist technology expertise is often rewarded with attractive salaries and innovative working conditions.
Given such diversity of choices, effective careers guidance is vital to help young people make informed decisions about their future. Our free resources can support your school to achieve the Gatsby Benchmarks and highlight the diversity of pathways leading to a successful career in computing, technology, and the digital industries. We have signposted below the Benchmarks that our comprehensive offer can help support to enable you to access the right resources, training, and guidance for your school.
Resources for your students
Computer Science journeys
Help young people see the value and transferability of the skills they develop in the classroom with our Computer Science journeys. Hear from university students and computer scientists working in industry who are doing amazing things in computing-related fields.
“It was amazing to be able to create whatever you wanted just by planning it out and learning how to execute it using code. If I could do that for a game, I thought I could do that for other things in life too.”
Mikaela
Embedded Software Engineer
Read Mikaela's story
“I become fascinated by data bias and the potential power AI has. I wanted to be a part of this and ensure that such technology is used to help others and shape our world for the better.”
Tori
Computer Science and AI student
Read Tori's story
Isaac discovery events for GCSE and A level students
Inspire young people with the career possibilities computer science can bring with our Isaac Computer Science Discovery events. Highlights include expert speakers from industry and academia, panel discussions about studying at university, and creative workshops.
Resources for you
GCSE options guide
The options process is an important stage in a young person’s journey through education. Our guide will help you explore how you present GCSE options guidance to encourage more students, particularly girls, to consider choosing it as one of their option subjects.
Teach Computing Curriculum
Our Teach Computing Curriculum includes many references to careers in computing. You can also find further advice on including careers advice in lessons in our I Belong programme handbook.
Bring real-life role models into the classroom
Computing Ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of industries who can connect computing lessons to real-world careers. A free resource for schools, they help to bring the curriculum to life and inspire more young people to choose a career in computing.
I Belong: encouraging girls into computer science
Girls are consistently outnumbered by boys in computer science, starting with the drop-out at transition from primary to secondary. The I Belong programme supports schools to understand the barriers to girls’ participation, ways to overcome them, and helps educators sustain pupils' enthusiasm for the subject.
Computing Quality Framework
Our framework is free to use and designed to help schools review and plan how they teach the computing curriculum. Dimension six covers careers education, including advice such as ensuring the curriculum is culturally relevant and addressing the issue of gender balance in computing.
Guidance for you
We recommend conducting a 1:1 interview with every student, ensuring you provide quality guidance about STEM pathways using all the advice above.
Useful tech careers websites
Visit the tech careers websites below, make links with STEM departments in local universities and FE colleges, and research local industries and trade bodies to build up your labour market information.
- The National Careers Service can help young people explore what a job in computing, technology and digital involves and if it is right for them.
- UCAS offers a wealth of career guidance to help students make choices based on their interests and aspirations, from applying for a job or apprenticeship to better understanding employment.
- The Kudos online tool allows students to explore routes into further education, higher education, and apprenticeships that align with their aspirations through a career-matching quiz and a large database of careers.
- BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT provides a “Tech Jobs Quiz” which suggests the “hottest tech roles” based on a series of questions about your personality, which might suggest jobs that young people have not previously considered.
- The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has a wealth of information on careers in cybersecurity as well as enrichment activities such as the Cyber First Girls competition.