Josh Kime – Navigating the Transition from Navy to Tech

TechVets: The Podcast

Josh Kime’s career journey is an inspiring tale of determination, adaptability, and a passion for problem-solving. After three and a half years in the Royal Navy, Josh embarked on a new chapter, diving headfirst into the world of tech. His story is a testament to how skills learned in the military can be leveraged for success in civilian life, especially in the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Early Days in the Navy

Josh joined the Royal Navy in 2019 as a Hydrography and Meteorology (HM) Specialist, where he primarily focused on surveying the sea floor. With a background in marine biology and oceanography, this role aligned perfectly with his interests. He was stationed aboard the HMS Scott, where he conducted deep-sea surveying across the Atlantic. Despite the job's appeal, after a few years, Josh realised that the path he was on didn’t quite match his long-term career goals.

The Decision to Leave

Initially, Josh had aspirations of pursuing a commissioned officer role, but his interest waned after observing the limited hands-on work in hydrography that came with the officer path. This led him to consider his next steps outside of the Navy. After much reflection, he decided to explore opportunities in the civilian world, specifically in tech, where he could challenge himself intellectually and engage in continuous learning.

Entering the Tech World

Josh’s first exposure to the tech industry came through TechVets, a programme of the Forces Employment Charity that supports veterans transitioning into tech careers. He was directed to TechVets by his career advisors at the Careers Transition Partnership (CTP). He quickly signed up for courses in coding and cybersecurity, particularly Coursera’s "IT Automation with Python" and Immersive Labs courses in cybersecurity. For Josh, the coding and cybersecurity world was appealing because it presented a constant stream of new challenges, a key factor that fuelled his desire to upskill.