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https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/experts-starting-out-stem-career-working-life-tcs-fidelity-investments [siliconrepublic.com]

Fidelity Investments' Eimear Coffey and TCS' Jennifer Scott explore how a diverse skillset, an open mind and adaptability can form the foundations of a strong career for school leavers and graduates.

https://www.siliconrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/STEM_Careers_Focus_Focus_IAG-300x107.png [siliconrepublic.com] 300w, https://www.siliconrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/STEM_Careers_Focus_Focus_IAG-1200x429.png [siliconrepublic.com] 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px" />

Starting a STEM career, or indeed a career in any industry, can be a nerve-wracking experience, as the company or institution you choose to align yourself with has the potential to shape how your professional life unfolds. 

It is also a time of great excitement as you get to put all that you have learned up to now to the test and start to build the foundations of what will hopefully be a long, dynamic and rewarding career. But how do you get started?

For those looking for the most straightforward route, Jennifer Scott, the head of cyber delivery and operations, at Tata Consultancy Services Ireland [siliconrepublic.com] (TCS), explained that young people who enjoy STEM subjects and are interested in a tech, engineering or science career should look into a Bachelor of Science degree. 

She told SiliconRepublic.com, “This is definitely the most linear entry path to a career in STEM. Organisations, such as TCS, looking to onboard fresh talent into STEM roles, look to universities for graduates. Some organisations contribute to course and curriculum content so are invested in the graduates who pass through these courses.”

It is worth noting that this is not the only route. Scott explained that individuals who have left school, who have drive, ambition and the support of an organisation with early-career starter resources, can start out by making a strong impact in an operational role, before moving on to a more technical position.  

She said, “This is a longer route to landing a job in STEM but the opportunity for growth is definitely there.”

For Eimear Coffey [siliconrepublic.com], the vice-president of technology management and the engineering leader at Fidelity Investments, “The best way to start in STEM is to get involved and stay curious.”

She said, “Areas that a young professional could focus on include gaining hands-on experience and building a strong foundation through coursework or gaining skills through certifications or self-directed learning to build their technical skills.”

Networking is also key [siliconrepublic.com] and she advised early-career starters to seek out opportunities to expand their circles by engaging with internships, apprenticeships, hackathons, project-based work and other hands-on learning experiences. 

She said, “Networking with company representatives at career events, conferences, identifying a mentor, or participating in programmes can be good opportunities to build relationships and create valuable opportunities. 

“Most importantly, staying curious, continuously learning, and being willing to explore different STEM disciplines can help individuals discover where their interests and strengths align.”

Similarly, for those in college or who have recently graduated, Scott recommends getting some part-time work experience in a people facing role, prior to committing to a STEM career, in an area such as hospitality. 

She explained, “I have observed that colleagues at TCS who have worked in the hospitality sector previously are more confident and comfortable with the human interaction and professional aspects of the role. 

“So, I always advise graduates to seek out these opportunities, to grow and develop their inter-personal skillset where possible prior to starting their professional career in STEM.”

Of the skills early-career starters and graduates should prioritise, Coffey is of the opinion that a balance between technical and soft skills is crucial. “It is not a choice between one or the other”, she finds, adding that the strongest professionals in the STEM space are the ones who can combine both. 

Coffey said, “The technical skills are the foundation for a career in technology but if you can’t collaborate with a team, understand customer needs or communicate ideas it won’t be enough to contribute or perform in the role effectively. As someone is starting their career, it’s important to invest time into both types of skillsets and make advancements in both.”

Scott shared Coffey’s opinion that neither one is more important, in actuality, they both complement each other. She said, “ No STEM role is ever purely technical, they require strong communication skills and many other soft skills. Time management, conflict resolution, communication and teamwork are critical no matter how technically talented you are.  

“With the advancement of AI, many roles such as programming, alert monitoring and analysis, can be supported by AI but this does not negate the need for strong human technical talent.

“Technical skills are extremely valuable and I always recommend continuous learning throughout your career [siliconrepublic.com] to hone skills that align with your technical role. But maintaining the balance between technical and soft skills development ensures you will always be a sought-after professional in my opinion.”

For both experts, graduate opportunities at organisations such as Fidelity and TCS are an ideal way for younger people to get their foot in the door and start their professional lives.

As noted by Scott, while the space itself is subject to near endless evolution, it will always be a prominent sector of employment in Ireland and as a result, will offer a variety of possibilities to those progressing their careers. 

She said, “Whether you see yourself working long-term in a management or leadership role or remaining in the technical side of things and becoming a subject matter expert or technical architect, I would advise any young person to be open to all career opportunities that come your way.  

“Use this time early in your career to get exposure to different technologies and roles and learn about different career path options.  The early years in your career can be such an exciting time and I suggest people use this time to figure out what aspect of STEM they enjoy and where their strengths lie. 

“The more exposure you get early in your career to new opportunities, the more selective you can be with opportunities as your career progresses.”

She concluded, “The sky is the limit in STEM.” 

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