There’s No Perfect Path Into Tech - But There Is a Pattern
06 May, 20268 minutesThere’s No Perfect Path Into Tech - But There Is a PatternA lot of people think successful c...
There’s No Perfect Path Into Tech - But There Is a Pattern
A lot of people think successful careers in tech follow a pretty straightforward path. Get the right degree, land the right first role, specialise early, and everything should progress from there.
But after speaking with leaders across networking, digital infrastructure, AI, telecoms, energy, and data centres on The Route to Networking podcast, it’s clear that’s rarely how it actually works.
Some of the people leading major businesses and infrastructure projects today started in sales roles, some came from finance backgrounds, and others entered the industry through research or completely different sectors altogether. Very few of them followed a “perfect” plan, but there are clear patterns in how they approached their careers and progressed over time.
Across these conversations, the same themes kept coming up: staying adaptable, being open to opportunities, learning how the wider business works, and not being afraid to take an unconventional route into the industry.
In this article, we’ll look at the biggest lessons and career advice shared throughout those discussions, along with how professionals entering the industry today can apply those same ideas to build successful long-term careers of their own.
There’s No Linear Path - And That’s Exactly the Point
Take Bill Serven, President and CEO of 1623 Farnam.
Today, he leads one of the most connected interconnection hubs in the US. But his career didn’t start in infrastructure, or even a technical role.
“I started in door-to-door cable sales… straight commission… you knock ten doors, you sell one.”
On paper, that has nothing to do with leading a major digital infrastructure business.
But in reality, those early experiences gave him something far more valuable than technical knowledge alone. He learned how to communicate, how to handle rejection, how to understand customers, and how different parts of a business connect together.
That same theme appears throughout the industry.
Nathaniel Harmon, Co-Founder and CEO of OceanBit, came from a background in oceanography and chemistry before moving into energy infrastructure and high-performance computing.
“I had a couple of GPUs sitting around… free electricity, free cooling… so I put them to work.”
That wasn’t part of a long-term career roadmap. It came from curiosity, experimentation, and spotting an opportunity others weren’t looking at yet.
Meanwhile, Obinna Isiadinso, Global Sector Lead for Data Centre Investments at the International Finance Corporation, entered the industry through investment banking rather than engineering.
“My first exposure to technology infrastructure was during my investment banking days.”
Different backgrounds. Different industries. Different starting points.
But all of them built successful careers in technology and infrastructure because they stayed open to opportunities and continued building experience over time.
What this actually means for your career
One of the biggest mistakes people make early in their career is believing they need everything figured out immediately.
In reality:
- Your first role probably won’t define your career
- Your degree doesn’t lock you into one path
- Your background can become an advantage, not a limitation
The focus early on should be exposure, learning, and momentum.
The people who progress fastest are usually the ones willing to start before they feel fully ready.
Adaptability Is More Valuable Than Expertise
Another major theme across these conversations is adaptability.
Not just adapting occasionally, but building a career around constant change.
Bill Serven described how rapidly the industry evolved throughout his career:
“Change was constant… how do you build a culture that accepts change and embraces it?”
That mindset applies far beyond leadership.
Gary Cudmore, Senior Vice President at Rowan Digital Infrastructure, has spent more than 40 years working across the evolution of data centres and digital infrastructure.
He has seen the industry move from simple computer rooms in office buildings to large-scale AI-driven hyperscale environments.
“Back then it was very, very simple… now it’s a completely different environment.”
What worked ten years ago may not be relevant today. The market evolves too quickly.
Nathaniel Harmon experienced that shift in real time when AI dramatically changed the demand for infrastructure and energy:
“AI… became a global phenomenon… and there was a bottleneck.”
What’s interesting is that none of these leaders talk about resisting change. They talk about learning how to move with it.
What this actually means for your career
Too many professionals tie their identity to one skillset, one technology, or one niche.
But industries like networking, cloud, AI, telecoms, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure evolve constantly.
The professionals who stay valuable are the ones who:
- Continue learning
- Stay commercially aware
- Follow where the industry is heading
- Remain open to new opportunities
Technical skills matter. But adaptability is what keeps careers growing long-term.
Careers Accelerate When You Think Bigger
Another clear pattern is when careers start to progress faster.
It usually happens when people stop thinking purely about their individual role and start understanding the wider business around them.
Bill Serven explained how his early sales experience helped him understand the operational side of the business as well:
“Once I made a sale… I relied on everyone else for that sale to be complete… it taught me all of the gaps.”
That awareness of how teams, systems, and processes connect is often what separates strong individual contributors from future leaders.
Gary Cudmore applies that same principle in engineering and operations:
“I always look through the lens of the operator.”
He’s not just thinking about how infrastructure gets built. He’s thinking about how it will actually function day to day for the people managing it.
And Obinna Isiadinso takes that thinking to an even broader level:
“Digital infrastructure… is a necessity… it helps keep the economy growing.”
That perspective is important. The best professionals don’t just understand their own tasks. They understand impact.
What this actually means for your career
If you want to progress faster:
- Learn how your company operates commercially
- Understand how different teams interact
- Ask why things matter, not just how they work
- Focus on impact, not just activity
The wider your perspective becomes, the more valuable you become.
The Pattern Behind Successful Careers
There may not be a perfect route into tech, but there is a clear pattern behind many successful careers:
- Start somewhere, even if it’s not ideal
- Stay adaptable as industries evolve
- Think beyond your immediate role
- Keep building experience and momentum
The people building the future of technology didn’t follow a blueprint.
They built one as they went.
Want to hear more from The Route to Networking podcast?
- Follow Hamilton Barnes on LinkedIn
- Listen to The Route to Networking on Spotify
- Listen to The Route to Networking on Apple Podcasts
- Read more The Route to Networking podcast articles and insights
Featured Episodes & Articles
- Bill Serven- President & CEO at 1623 Farnam
- Gary Cudmore- Senior Vice President at Rowan Digital Infrastructure
- Nathaniel Harmon- Co-Founder & CEO at OceanBit
- Obinna Isiadinso- Global Sector Lead for Data Centre Investments at International Finance Corporation
How Hamilton Barnes Can Help
At Hamilton Barnes, we work with professionals across networking, cybersecurity, telecoms, cloud, and digital infrastructure globally.
Whether you’re trying to break into the industry, specialise further, or progress into leadership, our team helps connect candidates with opportunities that align with long-term career growth.
We support with:
- Career advice and market insight
- CV and interview preparation
- Salary guidance
- Certification recommendations
- Access to specialist technology roles globally
As many of the leaders featured throughout this article highlighted, there’s no single path into tech. The key is continuing to learn, adapt, and put yourself in the right environments to grow.
Looking for your next role?
Explore here the latest opportunities across networking, telecoms, cybersecurity, cloud, and digital infrastructure with Hamilton Barnes.
Want to speak to a specialist recruiter?
Reach out to the team here to discuss your experience, career goals, and current market opportunities.
FAQs
Do you need a technical degree to work in tech infrastructure?
No. Many professionals across networking, digital infrastructure, and data centres entered the industry from non-traditional backgrounds including sales, finance, operations, and research.
What matters most is adaptability, curiosity, and willingness to learn.
What skills are most valuable in the tech industry today?
While technical skills remain important, many industry leaders highlight the importance of:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Commercial awareness
- Continuous learning
Technology changes quickly, so the ability to evolve with the industry is critical.
How do I get started in networking or digital infrastructure?
The best way to start is by gaining exposure through:
- Entry-level technical roles
- Certifications
- Graduate schemes
- Internships
- Recruitment opportunities
Many successful careers begin in unexpected places and develop over time.
Why is adaptability so important in tech?
The industry evolves constantly. New technologies, AI, cloud infrastructure, and changing business needs mean roles can shift quickly.
Professionals who stay curious and continue learning are often the ones who progress the fastest.
