Discussing the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new technologies in a fast pace market with limited time.
We all know that the tech industry is one of the fastest growing markets in the world. How can anyone keep up with the increasing demand of the market to be up to date? Keeping the focus on the objectives that you want to meet, and adjusting your own expectations are the key.
For what purpose are you going to spend your precious and scarce time? According to the Jet Brains report of 2023, 77% of the respondent chose to become a software developer because technology, computers, and everything related to the field was always interesting to them. It's safe to say that the main motivation to up-skill comes from a sense of self-accomplishment and the drive to improve. But that is not the only one, is it?
Now, a crucial point to keep in mind, when looking to gain expertise in a new tool or language is choosing the best objective for you.
Trendy techs out there
A good source of popular technologies can be annual surveys done by big tech companies or online communities. Like the report from Stack Overflow for 2023, which shows the sustain of JavaScript as the top used language and their frameworks, AWS the most popular Cloud platform and Python's versatile potential in a increasing market that adopts AI within many of their paths.
Upgrade your wallet too
If popularity isn't for you, maybe you would like the extra time invested payback in cash. Another avenue to choose can be the highest payed technologies like Scala, Ruby or Erlang. In line with Coursera’s 2023 Learner Outcomes Report above 70% of learners had some career benefits associated to improving their skills; which can help you boost your earning as well as your knowledge.
Value in the cause
A rewarding and less promoted route is the development of Open Source projects. Being driven by community learning and collaboration can be an excellent instigator for professional growth. Bringing the chance to work with modern tools as they are being developed and having dynamic feedback could be a great catalyst.
With your intention clear, make the time to gain proficiency. Always remembering that constancy and curiosity are the best partners.
Maintaining a steady motivation and focus on the goal to acquire competence in a new skill takes a big amount time. About a 41% of people spend within 3 to 8 hours a week learning new tools, technologies, or programming languages. Balancing learning while working a full time job can be a hustle, but the outcome will bring rewards. Patience and keeping your motivations in sight are just as important.
Suppliers abound, choosing the right intermediary to learn can save you from a deal breaker. Hold in mind your goal and your learning approach.
Go back to the manual
According to surveys over 75% of software professionals use technical documentation, online communities and blogs to learn new technologies. Keeping in mind the overproduction of less than trustworthy information that is pump in the World Wide Web every day, it's a good measure to return to the foundation. Thankfully most products have a detailed documentation section were you can learn all about the tools.
For those that have a more visual mind, there are plenty of know-how videos, podcast and courses. Even when this require a keen eye to discern if the content is valuable, this medium is accessible and in a lot of cases free. The best advice to approach this medium when you don't have time to curate the content, is to go for established learning portals, like Udemy, Coursera or Codecademy.
You picked your path, you took the time, you did the research; now flaunt what you have learned
Promote your abilities
You mastered a new skill and you're not telling anyone? Being a humble hero is good for video games and fantasy books, but no matter your primary motivator it's would be unfair to your time and effort to keep it to yourself.
Take advantage of that certification and put it on Linkedin, maybe tagging your boss could be a step forward to that promotion. Making a breakthrough in an Open Source project wouldn't feel the same if you don't share it with the community. Tell your co-workers, tell your buddy from university, don't keep it only to yourself and you'd be sure to get back value. Even if only to boost and encourage yourself.
Conclusion
One thing is clear, to keep up with a continuous education there needs to be a balance. With limited time available for learning, the added value of gaining mastery of new skills have to be clear for you to dedicate to it. Making sure you're clear on your goal is the first step. Following up with identifying the best source for that particular expertise. Also, it can't be overlook the fact that you need to showcase your achievements to your company and the market. Being diligent with this considerations are a sure recipe for succeed in continuous learning.
Were you thinking about taking a new course soon? What motivates you?
