STA Blog

Reflections from an STA Board Member

The Society of Technical Analysts (STA) recently conducted a membership survey. I didn’t feel it was appropriate for me to take part, given my role as a board member, but it did make me stop and reflect. Why did I join the STA in the first place? Why do I remain a member? And why have I committed to serving on the board?

Starting Out

I began my career in the City as a junior technical analyst. It didn’t take long to realise how little I knew. Technical analysis was fascinating—full of potential—but I lacked a proper foundation. I had to teach myself, fast. More importantly, I had to understand how others were actually using technical analysis in real-world trading.

Over time, I noticed a clear trend: successful traders were using technical analysis not just to place trades or spot profit opportunities, but—crucially—to manage risk. They were using it to decide where to place stops, how to avoid big losses, and how to approach the market with discipline. That insight shaped the rest of my career.

Becoming an Educator

As I developed, I found myself drawn to education. I wanted to help others understand how technical analysis could be used not just to trade, but to trade well—with a plan, with purpose, and with a strong grasp of risk management.

But this raised an unexpected challenge: I had become so fluent in the language of technical analysis that I’d lost touch with how to teach it. I was skipping over the basics because they had become second nature to me. That’s when I realised, I had to go back to school myself.

Rediscovering the Basics

Attending STA monthly seminars helped me reconnect with the fundamentals. I relearned concepts like Fibonacci retracements and how to choose the right RSI settings—tools I’d long used instinctively. The process of revisiting these basics reminded me just how important they are, and how crucial it is to be able to explain them clearly to others.

The STA provided that structure. It helped me verbalise what I’d previously just done automatically. And, just as importantly, it gave me a network—a community of like-minded professionals who are as committed to learning and sharing as I am.

Lifelong Learning

Even now, years into my career, I’m still learning. Recently, Stephen Hoad introduced me to Renko charts—something I hadn’t used much before. It was a reminder that, in technical analysis, there’s always something new to discover.

That’s one of the biggest advantages of STA membership: access to a community of experts who are not only deeply knowledgeable but incredibly generous with their time and insight. The willingness of STA members to share what they know, openly and freely, is what makes this organisation so special.

Why I Stay

So, why am I still a member? Because the STA continues to offer value—education, connection, inspiration. And why am I a board member? Because I want to give back. I want to ensure others have access to the same opportunities for growth that I’ve had.

If you’re on your own journey with technical analysis—whether you’re just starting or have decades of experience—I can’t recommend STA membership enough. It’s not just about learning charts. It’s about joining a community dedicated to improving the way we understand, teach, and apply technical analysis.

Join the STA here