Building a tech career at a young age can be a daunting task, but with the right approach and mindset, it is definitely achievable. Here are 15 steps that I took to build a successful tech career before the age of 19:

1. Starting early: I began learning about technology and programming in high school, through coding clubs and hackathons. This provided me with a solid introduction to the tech industry and helped me to develop a passion for technology.

2. Learning the basics: I took classes in computer science and programming and also used online resources such as tutorials and coding exercises to learn the basics of algorithms, data structures, and coding languages. This provided me with a strong foundation in the basics of computer science and programming.

3. Networking and building connections: I attended industry events, joined online communities, and connected with people working in the field on LinkedIn. This helped me to stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies and provided me with a valuable network of contacts.

4. Being proactive: I actively sought out internships and volunteer positions that provided me with hands-on experience in the tech industry. This helped me to gain practical experience and stand out to potential employers.

5. Learning by experience: I placed a strong emphasis on learning by doing, which helped me to better understand and retain information. I also took on new challenges and pushed myself out of my comfort zone to continuously improve my skills.

6. Setting specific goals: I set specific, measurable and achievable goals for myself in the tech industry, which helped me to focus on what I needed to do to achieve success.

7. Continuously learning: I made sure to stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the tech industry by continuously learning new skills and taking online courses.

   

8. Building a portfolio: I built a portfolio of my work, which included projects I had worked on and my coding skills, to showcase my abilities to potential employers.

9. Building a personal brand: I worked on building my brand, by creating a website and social media presence, to showcase my skills and experience to potential employers.

10. Staying organized: I stayed organized and managed my time effectively by using tools such as calendars, task lists and project management software, to keep track of my progress and stay on top of my responsibilities.

11. Reading and staying informed: I read industry-related articles and blogs, to keep up with the latest industry news, trends and technologies.

    

12. Participating in competitions and hackathons: I participated in coding competitions and hackathons, which helped me to improve my skills, showcase my abilities, and also network with like-minded people.

13. Communicating effectively: I developed my communication skills, by participating in group projects, and by presenting my work and ideas to others, which helped me to better articulate my thoughts and ideas.

14. Being adaptable: I learned to be adaptable and flexible, by being open to change and new technologies and being willing to learn and work with new tools and programming languages.

15. Patience and perseverance: I learned the importance of patience and perseverance, by not giving up on my goals and continuing to work hard even when faced with obstacles and challenges.

    

By following these steps and being dedicated to my goals, I was able to build a successful tech career before the age of 19. I learned that starting early, learning the basics, networking, being proactive, learning by experience, setting specific goals, continuously learning, building a portfolio, building a personal brand, staying organized, reading and staying informed, participating in competitions and hackathons, communicating effectively, being adaptable,