Quantum computing and the careers it will create

How does an astrophysicist end up shaping technology strategy at a bank?

For Rhian Letts, the journey was less about following a clearly mapped career path and more about following curiosity.

Today, she leads technology strategy at Investec, thinking about what is coming next in areas like artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, and how those advances could reshape industries.

But as a teenager, she did not have a defined plan. She loved maths, physics, music and sport. She did not set out to work in banking. She set out to keep learning.

As part of a series of content for Investec’s Invest-ED – a national programme designed to help teens build readiness for future employment – Rhian spoke to the Investec Focus team about her career journey, from studying physics and astrophysics to working at the intersection of finance and emerging technology.

She also unpacks what quantum computing really is, why it matters and what it could mean for the next generation entering the world of work.

What follows builds on that conversation, exploring the growing quantum ecosystem and why it may offer one of the most exciting career frontiers for curious, adaptable problem-solvers.

A different way of thinking about computing

When people talk about the future of work, AI often dominates the conversation. But another powerful technology is quietly moving from research labs into real-world planning: quantum computing.

When people hear “quantum computing”, it can sound abstract and intimidating. But at its core, it is about solving problems in a new way.

For decades, classical computers have powered everything from smartphones to banking systems. They process information in binary, using two simple states to work through problems step by step.

Quantum computing represents a shift rather than an upgrade.

As Letts explains:

“Everything we’ve done to date with technology has been by representing the world in zeroes and ones. Quantum changes that completely.”

Instead of testing one possibility at a time, quantum systems can explore many possibilities simultaneously for certain types of complex problems.

“If I use an analogy: imagine playing ‘Guess Who?’ with 100 people. In a classical world, you ask one question at a time. In a quantum world, you effectively ask all those questions at once, and the most probable answer emerges,” explains Letts.

It is not about replacing your laptop with a faster version. It is about tackling challenges that are currently too complex for even the most powerful classical systems.

For teenagers considering careers in science or technology, this is important. Quantum is not just a new gadget. It is a new way of thinking.

Where quantum could open career doors

The first real-world impact of quantum computing is likely to be in industries defined by complexity. These are also the industries that will need new skills and new talent.

Healthcare and drug discovery

Designing new medicines requires modelling how molecules interact. Quantum systems could simulate these interactions more accurately, potentially speeding up drug discovery and enabling more personalised treatments.

Energy and sustainability

From better batteries to cleaner energy systems, many sustainability challenges depend on understanding materials at atomic level. Quantum modelling could help unlock breakthroughs in energy efficiency and climate solutions.

Logistics and optimisation

Airlines, retailers and manufacturers manage vast supply chains with millions of moving parts. Quantum systems, along with AI, may improve route planning and resource allocation, reducing waste and cost.

Financial services

Banks and investment firms rely on complex modelling to assess risk and price financial products. Quantum capability could allow them to analyse more scenarios more quickly and in greater depth.

Cybersecurity

Modern encryption protects banking apps, personal data and national infrastructure. A sufficiently advanced quantum system could, in theory, break certain current encryption methods. That is why researchers are already building quantum-safe encryption.

Letts notes:

“Just as people are building quantum computing to solve those problems, we’re also building quantum-safe encryption to protect against it.”

For students, that means opportunity exists not only in building quantum systems, but also in defending against their risks.

Quantum is not just for physicists

One of the biggest misconceptions about quantum computing is that it is only for theoretical physicists.

Rhian’s own story challenges that idea. She studied physics and astrophysics because she was curious, not because she had a fixed career plan. Today, she works in strategy, helping translate emerging technologies into practical business value.

The quantum ecosystem will need:

• Researchers advancing hardware and algorithms
• Software engineers developing quantum-compatible systems
• Cybersecurity specialists designing quantum-safe encryption
• Risk and governance professionals navigating regulation
• Strategists and communicators who can translate complex ideas into real-world action

As Letts puts it:

“I don’t think the question is to code or not to code anymore. The question is: what problem are you trying to solve, and how do you use the technology available to solve it?”

That mindset opens the door to a much wider group of students. You do not need to have coded since primary school to play a role in this future.

What subjects and skills matter?

For learners interested in quantum or emerging technologies, maths and science remain powerful foundations. Physics, computer science and engineering are natural pathways.

But they are not the only ones.

Letts emphasises that communication, storytelling and creativity are equally important. Explaining complex ideas clearly can be just as valuable as building them.

She also challenges the narrow definition of intelligence many students grow up with:

“Intelligence isn’t just knowledge. It’s how you think about a question in a different way.”

That perspective matters in a field like quantum, where new questions are constantly emerging and established answers evolve.

Being well-rounded can be a strength. Rhian herself kept music as part of her life, choosing not to turn it into a career because she loved it too much to make it work. That balance helped shape her broader way of thinking.

 “I think it’s important for students to know that if you don’t know what you want to be yet, that doesn’t mean you won’t become something meaningful. Keep doing what you’re passionate about and keep building your skill set.”

For girls who feel unsure

Technology and physics remain male-dominated spaces, and that can feel intimidating. Rhian remembers walking into lecture halls filled mostly with men and questioning whether she belonged.

As she puts it:

“If you feel like you don’t belong in a room, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be there. Feeling uncomfortable doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong place.”

She adds: “You can feel nervous and still be incredibly capable.”

Her advice to girls considering this path is clear: feeling uncomfortable does not mean you do not belong.

Confidence and capability are not the same thing. Confidence grows over time. Capability can exist long before you feel it.

Finding mentors, friends and supportive communities can make a significant difference.

Preparing for a world that does not yet exist

Perhaps the most important lesson from Rhian’s journey is that she did not have a master plan.

“I would tell my younger self not to worry so much about not having a defined career path. You’re not drifting. You’re exploring.”

She describes her teenage self as someone who did not know exactly what she wanted to be. In hindsight, her studies in physics and astrophysics built transferable skills she uses every day. At the time, she was simply following what she loved and continuing to grow.

As both a strategist and a mum, she focuses less on preparing her children for a specific job and more on nurturing curiosity.

“Once a week, pick a random question and explore it together. How does a fridge work? What is a black hole? Explore it together and see where it leads.”

Her advice is not to prepare for a single, specific profession, but to build qualities and skills that travel well across industries:

• Start before you feel ready
• Be comfortable with change
• Learn how to tell a story
• Be resilient
• Stay creative

Quantum computing may reshape sectors such as healthcare, energy and finance. More broadly, it signals that the boundaries of technology are still expanding.

For teenagers choosing subjects and for parents guiding them, the message is encouraging.

You do not need a perfectly mapped career plan. You need curiosity, strong foundations and the willingness to explore.

The careers of the quantum era will not belong only to those who knew from age 13 exactly what they wanted to be.

They will belong to those prepared to learn, adapt and think differently.