Breaking Barriers: How Passion and Knowledge Shape Digital Careers

It’s seldom discussed how emerging technologies evolve alongside the passage of time, creating new career paths and opportunities for those who are either recent adopters or digital natives. Even less discussed is the fact that the newer the technology, the less familiar mentors and influential figures - such as teachers, youth workers, guidance counselors, and tutors - are with the paths needed to pursue or break into these careers. Yet, these individuals are crucial to young people, not only as role models and influencers of their choices but as the ones who often open doors to their future.

The Rise of Influencers

Consider the phenomenon of influencers, which has moved beyond recent trends to become a standard career option for many. It’s easy to dismiss these roles as superficial or "fake jobs", but it’s worth remembering the early days of YouTube. The first generation of YouTubers essentially laid the foundation for digital influencing. Most of them had no knowledge of algorithms or sophisticated strategies - there were no trends or hashtags guiding their path. But we were there, watching, aspiring, and participating in that first wave. While not everyone was cut out to be on camera, in hindsight, we know now that there is truly something for everyone and that everyone has their audience.

So, what kept most of us from becoming those early YouTubers? Did we at least prop up a camera, hit record, and speak into it? If you did, you probably got further than 90% of us ever did. The truth is that a lack of knowledge held us back far more than any lack of talent. It pulled us closer to fear and further from action.

The Power of Information

Today, it’s almost second nature to talk about algorithms, relevance, likes, shares, and subscribers, to use hashtags with precise intent, and to stand confidently in front of a camera. These concepts and actions have become embedded in our daily routines, no longer causing hesitation or uncertainty.

Reflecting on this shift and recognizing the surge of emerging technologies with massive potential for job creation, it’s clear that information is the key. But not just any information - up-to-date, relevant information. In a landscape that has become increasingly complex, young people now face immense pressure as they come of age and make life-altering decisions. Providing them with current insights, practical tips, and guidance into navigating these new opportunities can help shape a more informed, fulfilled, and empowered workforce for tomorrow.

Learning from Current Professionals

If we speak on the need for information, there’s no more relevant information than exploring current professionals' career paths to draw from their proven experience and better develop guidance materials. The true beauty and testament to current times is that, through informal research into career paths from professionals across various digital areas with emerging job markets, we find many non-formal elements to both their education and the actual implementation of these career paths.

While "learning by doing" is not a new concept, it’s still striking to find professionals - some with varying degrees of success - not just owning up to this fact but making it a cornerstone of their journey. It wasn’t necessarily a challenge for them, but more a matter of being presented with a blank canvas that they could fill for themselves, unencumbered by preconceived notions or rigid structures. This freedom allowed them to channel their creativity without limitations, and that often became the key to their success.

Diverse Pathways to Success

What’s equally interesting in our informal research is that not all of the professionals we polled were digital natives. Some were digital migrants, who were captivated by the novelty of the concepts behind technology and its potential. It was this passion that drove them, not necessarily their inherent familiarity with the digital world. This stands as a reminder that the barriers to entry into the digital realm are not as insurmountable as they might first appear. For many, it’s the right mindset and willingness to learn that makes all the difference.

Taking this into account, and acknowledging that our research was informal and the pool of professionals we surveyed was small, we can't help but reflect on our own journey. We begin with the awe that was sparked in us when we first encountered YouTube and all it represented, and we look at everything that has unfolded since then. The growth, the change, and the endless possibilities in the digital landscape have reshaped how we think about careers, learning, and success. It’s a journey that continues to evolve - and one that holds endless potential for future generations to shape their own paths.

Author of the blog post:

José M. Imbert, YesEuropa.org