Technology is an ever changing field, and those advancing it are getting younger and younger. We live and breathe new and exciting tech, so why not be one of the people to make their mark in innovation?

There’s no age that determines your capabilities in making a difference. You can progress at 25, 20, 15, or even 10! There’s many innovators that did that before a diploma, and a college degree; so if you have an idea, go after it, and make it happen, just like they did.

1. Steven Gonzalez Jr.

Life wasn’t easy for Steven Gonzalez Jr. He was diagnosed with a fatal illness that gave him a slim chance of survival, only 2% in fact. He had Acute Myelogenous Leukemia and was forced to stay in his room for more than half of a school year, alone, to battle his illness. He never let it get the best of him. While isolated, he played video games around the clock. He played them so much, he ended up creating one. It was called “Play Against Cancer”, and the goal was to destroy cancer cells in the game.

If that wasn’t enough, he went on to create a social media platform designed for teen cancer patients.

2. Nick D’Aloisio

Nick was really advanced in the field of technology by a young age. He developed an app, that could summarize information, for various social media outlets. The app called “Trimit” could be used on Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr. He sold his app to Summly, and the 19 year old British programmer raked up a net work of $30 million…all before he can legally drink.

3. Jessica Matthews

Jessica Matthews isn’t your average psych major, in fact her invention involves engineering, a subject that she has absolutely no background in. She created “Uncharted Play.” Matthews, a graduate of Harvard, began this idea in 2008, in her junior year. After graduating, she continued her idea of creating energy-generating sports for countries in need.

The products included in her initiative vary widely, such as the PULSE jump rope, that charges an emergency battery. Not only can it charge your battery, but you can use it for your daily workout!

4. Mark Zuckerberg

Where would this social media world be today without the inventions of Mark Zuckerberg. Many see social media in a negative light, as a time consumer that people waste away on while avoiding real work, but that’s not the case. When used properly, social media outlets, like Zuckerbergs’ Facebook, can be used to raise money around the world in times of need, connect people in different hemispheres, and inform individuals who would otherwise not be able to hear what you have to say.

Social Media can be a beautiful thing, and at the end of his sophmore year, he dropped out to continue this venture. Though facing problems in court when others claimed he stole the idea, Zuckerberg’s work landed him a net worth of about $35 billion.

You don’t have to be the next name in technology, check out the many ways STEM careers make a difference!

Photo Credit: Scott Beale | Laughing Squid