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Technology is a rich, fulfilling field with many different avenues to be pursued. Regardless of the niche, a career in technology is best served with a glass half full of knowledge. Some employers like their knowledge on the rocks, straight up and dry. Others like a dash of enthusiasm behind their future business partners. The underlying asset, in either case, is a core understanding of yourself, your skills and your limitations. By implementing these four things into your tech career you open yourself up to a world of possibilities.
Know the Vernacular
If you’re a technology student, Independence University recommends keeping a constant finger on the latest terminology — especially terms that relate to your specific path. If you don’t know a gigabyte from a petabyte, UX from UI or hardware from software then you don’t belong anywhere near the field of technology. Knowing the right vernacular for your field will save you from being laughed at, will save your career from being terminated and can help integrate related fields that would otherwise be inaccessible to you; Each niche has its own vernacular. Some popular niches include:
- Tech Finance (“TechFin” or “FinTech”)
- Coding
- Hosting
- UX / UI
- Graphic Design
- Social Media
- Project Management
Know Your Strengths
According to Chief Executive, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak of Apple are perhaps the most iconic examples of business partners who worked together while having completely different skill sets. If Steve Jobs for a moment pretended that he had the technical prowess of Steve Wozniak, the company would have imploded from Jobs’ lack of understanding. If Wozniak had decided that he was tired of doing the technical work and wanted to be more social like Jobs, then the whole organization would have gone under. Knowing your strengths and that it’s okay to not know everything is one of the most valuable concepts to hold in the world of technology. Hiring someone who is your exact opposite, yet who is someone that you get along with, is exactly the type of skill that is needed for a meaningful career in technology. “Perfect partnership. You can’t do everything yourself,” says Wozniak.
Know the Tech Involved
Knowing which technologies are related to your niche, both hardware and software related is one of the most vital aspects of thriving in the tech world. If you’re building or hosting a website and yet aren’t familiar with the different aspects of cPanel, then you’re leaving yourself open to peers who are more familiar and able to better communicate with other departments and partners (like hosting companies) who utilize cPanel on a daily basis.
Know How to Code
Even if you’re a project manager who is engaged in managing software engineers, Product Coalition points out that it does help to know some basic aspects of coding in order to not be perceived as a joke. Certification and degrees aside, the more that you can be in tune with a team’s understanding of a tech subject, the better off you’ll be and the more positively you will be viewed by your coworkers. Coding is a universal playing field which helps show that you are as capable as, or even more capable than you look. Coding produces fun and useful apps, websites and many other applications, so if you don’t know a coding language then start out with something easy and get your feet wet.
There are many different types of careers in technology. Within technology, there are so many terms, strengths, technologies, and languages involved that it can seem overwhelming at times. By loving all aspects of the industry and being open to different opportunities and methods of engagement, this field can open doors that you didn’t know existed.
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