When one thinks of lucrative careers to work in right now, the information technology field will undoubtedly be one of the top choices. Seeing as how we are right in the middle of the digital age, it’s no wonder that information technology is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Some of the perks of working in this field include the following:
- The job security it offers, as there will always be a demand for workers with specific skills;
- The cost of earning certifications for specific skills is comparably lesser than, say, working on a Ph.D., and, in some situations, it offers an excellent work-life balance; and
- IT practitioners are also paid better than other people in different fields, with an average of $200,000 per year.
Perhaps you’ve been in the industry for quite some time and are now looking for ways to move up in your career. Or maybe you’re just a newbie starting but want to know what skills you should be working on so that you’ll be a top pick when the time for promotions comes around. Collated below is a mix of soft and hard skills each IT practitioner should have if they want to stay on top of their game and reach new levels in their career. Take note that “hard skills” refer to skills specific to the IT industry. In contrast, “soft skills” refer to personality traits each person should cultivate for better workplace interaction. Having a mix of these two types of skills under your belt will allow you to make the most use of career opportunities that come your way.
Level Up Your IT Skills
Working in the IT industry means you constantly have to be up-to-date on the latest updates or improvements. If you have plans to stay long-term in this field, you will have to learn constantly. Approach your career with the willingness to admit you don’t know everything and the determination to keep learning. To be a competitive asset, you’ll want to brush up on your coding knowledge in HTML, C++, Python, JavaScript (to mention a few) and keep track of your certifications.
Being certified in a specific IT skill, especially data privacy and cloud security, makes you more valuable. So get to work on that CompTIA Security+ SY0 601 certification, technical support or help desk certification, or that project management certification to better your skills. Build upon what knowledge you have right now and watch it grow over time.
Work on Relationships
Whether you like it or not, you will have to interact with people to achieve goals you alone cannot manage to do. You can decide to be satisfied with the small number of people you interact with at work. On the other hand, you can put yourself out there and develop better interpersonal relationships with your colleagues. Being a better team player will help the company be more efficient, but in the long run, it will help you make more connections with people who might open incredible opportunities for you in the future. So don’t just look out for yourself in this industry. Enjoy the journey with others like you who are passionate about digital technology’s intricate inner workings.
Manage Better
Don’t wait until you’re assigned to lead a team at work to better your management skills. And if you already are managing a team at work, there’s always room for improvement. Find effective ways to organize your time, oversee and direct projects, and resolve issues to streamline your workflow. Bettering yourself in these small areas of your work life will positively affect your overall performance at work. Developing these skills will also help prepare you for roles in which you will take on more responsibility and oversee more projects and people.
Challenge Yourself
This might sound cliche, but there is a truth in the adage to, “Get out of your comfort zone.” You will only realize how much you can learn and do through overcoming adversity. Take on jobs or opportunities that scare you in a good way. Getting out of your comfort zone and trying new things will help challenge your organizational skills, your perseverance, and your resourcefulness (among a few other things). These are all soft skills that, once you master, will help you better tackle tricky or challenging situations in your future career path. Plus, if you ever decide on a career change, these skills will be handy.
Wherever you currently are in your career-whether starting, a mid-level employee, or even someone in charge of their company-take, a note of these skills that are sure to help you in your everyday work life. And don’t forget to make an effort to keep growing.
