GROW WITH ME TOGETHER
As everyone knows, Tech is the new Oil, especially in Nigeria and everyone is rushing into tech. However, there are a lot of things to be considered and watch out for as the market gets more competitive, especially for new professionals venturing into tech. The world shifted and if you think you’re still in 1999, you’re probably from the movie Terminator. Here are a few things you have to consider before jumping into Software development, Product management or any other tech field.
Go For Passion, not Money
If you’re looking to just earn and make money in tech, it’s better to change that idealogy before the reality hits. Although being a technical professional, you stand to be a high-income earner but it never would come easy. I started learning web development as a teenager in 2016. It was all driven by curiosity and passion to learn. Until 2020, I really couldn’t say I earned anything from tech. I sustained myself with small entrepreneurial jobs and kept learning. Also, the job market is very competitive, I’ve applied to over 1000 Jobs, and about 100 interviews and I only got 3 jobs from all that effort. Go for what you love doing, that would keep you motivated even when there is no monetary incentive.
Be a Generalist
Tech jobs now require higher skills due to the availability of various tools and technologies, especially with the emergence of AI. As a new tech professional, it’s important to learn about many technologies. Focusing on just one may limit job options. For software developers, being a full-stack developer is better, and understanding various languages and technologies is not limited to only Node.js or PHP. Designers should be skilled in different tools like Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, and others, similar advice applies to all other professionals. The key is to learn extensively.
Learn Deeply
In today’s tech industry, it’s not enough to just learn various technologies; you need to be a Jack of all Trades, Master of a few. You must delve deeply into your learning and have the passion to understand how these technologies work. Instead of just learning the tools, aim to comprehend them and grasp their inner workings. This approach will give you a competitive advantage over your peers. For instance, don’t just focus on learning JavaScript; strive to understand its mechanisms, its execution, its origins, and the reasons behind its development. Mastering this level of understanding can lead you to become a senior developer, designer, analyst, or engineer.
Learn Communication & Negotiation.
Soft skills are often overlooked in the tech industry. Skills such as communication and negotiation are extremely valuable. Being able to effectively communicate technical issues to non-technical individuals is crucial. I recall missing out on an opportunity to work at MonetizeMore in 2022 because I struggled to communicate a problem that arose in Nigeria to individuals from a different demographic. It was challenging for me to convey the problem I was trying to solve to them. I believe that honing communication and negotiation skills is achievable by reading books such as “How To Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie and “Never Split the Difference” by Christopher Voss.
Build a strong Network
Finding a job without a referral these days is very hard, especially if it’s a high-paying job. Once you start learning, you have to use social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to showcase what you’re learning and building. Attending tech events and reaching out to people you want to connect with really helps in building a strong professional network. You can also sign up for mentorship programs, as they can be very beneficial..
Starting and pursuing a tech career is not as straightforward as before; continuous learning and perseverance are essential. Even when faced with challenges, giving up is not always the best option, but adjusting your approach might be.
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