In our last post, we spoke about the fundamentals of starting a tech journey as a newbie or enthusiast. In this new blog post, we will be listing the necessary skills required for you to launch your tech career and hopefully get feedback in the job market. It is important to note that while this may serve as a guide towards starting a tech career, it does not replace hard work or serve as a measurement of success because those factors are solely dependent on personal effort and dedication.
Starting a career in any field or industry is pretty much the same. It involves honing your skills over time until you become confident enough to climb the ladder. In tech, it is quite synonymous because as you grow, responsibilities begin to increase. It is also a step by step process going from being a novice to becoming an expert. This calls for a lot of time and devotion. In today’s world “Tech” has become a competitive market with employers seeking the next best thing that would be of great value to their company. After all, it’s a business, and tech companies around the world on a daily basis are trying to secure their spot in “Silicon Valley”.
Here are some essential skills you must have before starting a career in tech; these are further broken down into two
1. Technical skills:
● Programming and Coding: Understanding programming and coding is important for many tech roles, including web development, software development, and digital automation. For instance a full stack developer needs to be proficient in both front-end and back-end programming languages this includes mastering front-end languages like HTML,CSS, and JavaScript, and backend languages like python, java, or Node.js.
● Data Analysis and Management: To work in data analysis and management, strong computer skills are needed. They include data visualization, statistical analysis, database management, data cleaning and preparation, machine learning, and spreadsheet. In this field, proficiency in programming is also important because in order to succeed in data analysis, you are required to make use of languages like R, MYSQL, tableau, or PowerBi for visualization and statistical analysis.
● Networking and Infrastructure: Skills in managing and troubleshooting computer systems and networks are vital.
● Database Management: Proficiency in managing and working with different databases is a valuable skill. It helps professional not only handle but organize and extract important insights from a vast pool of data generated daily. This is a crucial skill that can be applied in various roles like database administration, data analysis, and even web development. It is highly sought out in the job market and can significantly enhance career prospects.
● Cyber security: Understanding cyber security principles is essential in the protection against cyber threats and data breaches.
2. Soft Skills:
While the importance of technical skills can not be overemphasized, soft skills also play a huge role in the overall success of any career. It is used to describe inter personal relationships between working in and out of an organization. They include:
● Communication: both written and verbal, effective communication is vital for collaborating with team members, stakeholders, and prospective clients. It is the wheel that drives the success of any career towards the right direction. Without it, skills and expertise can not be transferred effectively.
● Teamwork: it is true that many tech professionals work in teams. As a beginner, it helps fast-track the learning process by engaging community members who are actively involved in your field. It also reduces the burden of having to figure challenges alone. As an expert, it becomes a catalyst for career growth, sharing ideas, and working on projects effectively.
● Attention to detail: These days, doing the job might not be everything you may need to secure a position. Detail-oriented professionals are in high demand because clients or companies are searching for accuracy and quality in technical work. Delivering projects that are specifically tailored to the audience that it’s serving is all about paying attention to detail.
● Adaptability and Agility: The tech industry is constantly evolving, setting new trends and creating new policies. So, the ability to adapt to these new technologies is vital in not only building a successful career but also building it on a long-term basis.
● Problem Solving and Troubleshooting: The ability to identify and solve complex problems is crucial in every tech role.
As you’ve read, starting your tech career might just be one of the best decisions you can make. We listed a few points that are going to be helpful. The good thing is that they can be applied to any tech position. It is the core skills that lay the foundation of any good tech career.
Be sure to check our next blog post.