NEET pathway
Bailley's story
From timid and staying inside his comfort zone to travelling the world and building a career in tech.
"I have gone from being someone who lacked confidence and avoided new experiences to someone who actively seeks them out."
Before TechStart
Before joining TechStart, I was quite a timid person. I wasn't particularly confident or social, and I tended to stay within my comfort zone. I didn't travel much, I didn't put myself forward, and I certainly didn't imagine I would be doing the kinds of things I'm doing now.
Opportunities to travel
Since becoming part of TechStart, that has completely changed. One of the biggest differences has been the opportunities to travel. Before TechStart, I had barely left the country. Since joining, I have been to Taiwan, South Korea and Barcelona. Each trip has pushed me in ways I never expected. I remember hiking for nearly eight hours in Barcelona, something I would never have even considered before. Experiences like that have helped me build resilience and confidence, not just personally but professionally as well.
The people I've met
Beyond travel, it is the people that have made the biggest impact. Through TechStart, I have met a wide range of individuals from different backgrounds, industries and cultures. These are people I would never have naturally crossed paths with. It has significantly improved my networking skills and given me the confidence to build and maintain professional relationships. I now feel comfortable engaging with new people, asking questions and learning from their experiences.
Guidance from Sam
The guidance from Sam has also played a huge role in my development. His support and direction have helped me see opportunities I would have otherwise overlooked. He has encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and to think more ambitiously about my future. That influence has been a key factor in how much I have grown during my time on the programme.
Doors I didn't know existed
From a career perspective, TechStart has opened doors that I did not know existed. When I first joined, I was focused on web development. Since then, I have had the opportunity to work with Morningmate, a Korean company in a customer experience role. This involves onboarding customers, responding to enquiries and handling both inbound and outbound communication. These responsibilities have helped me develop a broader skill set and a better understanding of how businesses operate.
An AI apprenticeship
In addition to this, I secured an apprenticeship through TechStart, focused on AI in business. As artificial intelligence becomes more prominent, this has given me valuable, future-facing skills that I know will benefit my career long term. It has also changed the way I approach projects, helping me think more strategically and with a wider organisational perspective.
Global events
Attending major global events has been another highlight. Being part of something like Mobile World Congress in Barcelona allowed me to see first-hand how global companies operate, showcase their innovations and collaborate across industries. It was an eye-opening experience and reinforced how much there is to learn and explore.