Why we need to start nurturing future technologists earlier than ever
Walk into any classroom today, and you’ll likely see students using tablets, coding small robots, or diving into interactive simulations of chemical reactions. But what might feel like a fun lesson now could actually be the first step in shaping the next generation of data scientists, ethical hackers, or cloud architects.
At Ascend Education, we often talk about certifications, career paths, and technical training—but today, we’re zooming out to look at the bigger picture: where it all begins.
Why Early STEM Exposure Matters
When we talk to IT professionals or cybersecurity experts about their journey, it’s rarely a straight line. But one thing we hear again and again? “I started getting interested in tech when I was a kid.”
That spark matters. And research supports it.
Early exposure to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) isn’t just about boosting test scores or building robots in afterschool clubs—it’s about developing the confidence and curiosity that lead to lifelong learning and career resilience. A 2024 report by STEM Minds showed that students who had meaningful early STEM experiences were 3x more likely to pursue tech-related careers than those who didn’t.
Meet Emily: A Real-World Example
Take Emily, for instance.
Now a junior cybersecurity analyst, Emily’s love for tech began at age 11 when she joined a school robotics club. “I didn’t even know what cybersecurity meant,” she admits. “But I loved problem-solving, and building that little bot gave me confidence.”
By high school, Emily was taking AP computer science and participating in capture-the-flag ethical hacking challenges. Today, she’s working toward her CEH certification—and she credits that middle school robotics club for everything.
Emily’s story isn’t an outlier—it’s the blueprint for where the tech workforce is going.
What the Research Says
According to a study by the National Science Board, students exposed to tech-rich environments in early education were more likely to take advanced math and science classes in high school, perform better on standardised exams, and show increased interest in tech careers. This foundation can lead directly to higher enrolment in IT training programmes or industry certifications.
The same research also revealed that schools with dedicated STEM pathways had 27% more students go into tech-related post-secondary programs than those without.
The P-TECH Model: Bridging School and Industry
One of the most impressive examples of this early-career bridge is IBM’s P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programme. Launched in 2011, P-TECH combines high school, college, and industry training into one six-year pipeline. Students graduate not just with a diploma—but also with an associate degree in applied tech fields.
And it’s not just about the degree—these students are landing jobs at IBM, Cisco, and Dell, often skipping the traditional four-year college route entirely. By creating real-world career pathways starting at age 14, P-TECH is proof that early exposure doesn’t just prepare students—it propels them.
Parents and Teachers: The First Influencers
While tech companies and policymakers are doing their part, it’s often parents and teachers who light the spark.
You don’t need a computer science degree to help a child fall in love with tech. You just need to nurture curiosity. Encourage them to ask questions, explore online coding platforms, or build something simple with a Raspberry Pi. Make failure a part of the process—and celebrate it.
In fact, many parents say their child’s interest in technology came from “tinkering” at home: learning how apps work, building digital art, or solving puzzles on an iPad. The earlier those opportunities show up, the more they normalize tech as a space they belong in.
Policy Is (Finally) Catching Up
The good news? Governments and education boards are starting to catch on.
In the U.S., the National Science Foundation recently launched new grant programmes to support STEM curriculum in K–8 classrooms, with a focus on underrepresented communities. Meanwhile, public-private partnerships are flooding classrooms with tools—from free cybersecurity challenges to hands-on AI experiments.
But despite this progress, access is still uneven. That’s where online platforms and after-school programmes can step in.
Ascend’s Role in the Pipeline
At Ascend Education, we focus on the later stages of this journey—providing the training, certifications, and tools people need to launch or pivot into IT careers. But we also know that our learners didn’t wake up one day and suddenly decide to be network engineers or ethical hackers.
Something—or someone—got them interested years before. Whether it was a teacher, a parent, a game, or a coding club, it started small and grew over time.
We believe that if we want a stronger, more diverse, and more innovative tech workforce, we have to start thinking earlier. Much earlier.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
The global tech landscape is changing fast. With automation, cybersecurity threats, and cloud computing transforming nearly every industry, we need talent that’s not only skilled—but agile, curious, and motivated to keep learning.
That starts in primary school.
By 2030, the World Economic Forum estimates that 85% of the jobs that will exist haven’t even been invented yet. We can’t possibly prepare students for everything. But we can give them the confidence, adaptability, and tech fluency to figure it out when they get there.
Final Thoughts: Start Small, Dream Big
You don’t need a million-dollar STEM lab or a genius grant to make a difference.
Sometimes, a coding app, a supportive teacher, or a curious parent is all it takes to start someone on the path to becoming a cybersecurity analyst, software engineer, or cloud architect.
Let’s not wait until after graduation to talk about tech careers. Let’s build that curiosity—and confidence—while learners are still discovering who they are.
Because the future isn’t just digital—it’s already here. And it starts in the classroom.
Looking for more resources on how to guide your students or children into tech careers? Explore our beginner-friendly certification courses at AscendEducation.com and help them take the next step confidently.
