A career in technology can be profoundly rewarding because of the mass societal changes in recent years. Technology is exploding. Information is communicated fast and efficiently in our tech-driven environment to keep operations operating smoothly and individuals engaged.
Remote working, distance education, virtual conferences, self-checkout lines, cryptocurrency mining and social media have all been popular in the last two decades. In 1984, only 8.2% of US homes owned a computer; today, more than 51% of households own at least one computer, and nearly 96% own a mobile device (Leftronic, 2021). The main myth about a career in tech is that you have to be tech savvy which is not true. It is possible to learn the ropes from an entry level role and progress further up the hierarchy. If you show you are competent, reach actionable goals and treat yourself as someone with value.
Career goals?
We took a poll from one of our events asking the audience how they felt about their career goals:
- 15% were in need of time keeping on their career growth trajectory
- 44% of people experienced spikes and plateaus whilst looking for new pivots
- 23% of people continuously plateaued and needed some inspiration
- 14% didn’t think about it but were open to learn
The rise of technology has resulted in a higher demand for industry personnel. This means that tech skills like coding and engineering are more in demand than ever. As the economy makes its transition to digital and data driven so is the workplace becoming more and more tech driven.
What is tech?
Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, and Microsoft are the five most powerful technology corporations in their respective industries. Many businesses and individuals have grown to rely on the products and services provided by these tech behemoths.
To grow through technology, big tech businesses are spending more time acquiring talent through various platforms. Many of these companies hire all year round and have various options for contracts that are permanent or remote to suit your career path.
Continuous self-development
No matter how many mentors you get – there will never be anyone better than you. Introspection helps you know how compatible your goals are with your current life situation. Tech industry professional and winner of 2018 Women of Influence in the Silicon Valley, Anna Schlegel says that you should “practice explaining yourself in one minute.”
Secondly, make tangible goals and do your research. For example, if you want to write a book – you need to write about something that is not too obscure and has a target market.
Keep up to date with the industry’s trends and replace lazy habits with productive ones such as reading. Lastly, take time off for yourself and de-stress!
Tap into the unadvertised jobs market
If you want a role that doesn’t exist then find out what the organisation needs and why you are the person who can make it happen. The Decker Communication Grid and the STAR model can help you structure your request.
Go and do your homework about why it is needed and who is going to follow you. If you don’t have at least 20 people ready to join your group, then you’re not ready. Sponsorship, mentorship and vouching comes from mutually established trust.
What is authentic leadership?
In the words of Warren Bennis, organizational consultant and widely regarded as a pioneer of the contemporary field of Leadership studies, leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality.
Leaders are real people who don’t always get it right but have found a way to inspire people to make an impact on others. None of us are perfect. We have all made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. Authentic leaders are real about their failures and will let themselves be seen as vulnerable. Foster relationships, be consistent and show accountability!
Invest in yourself
Reading lots of books helps you figure things out quicker. There are many books on various topics. However, bad habits can make or break you and can either stagnant or fast track your success. Have a work life harmony where you can balance your personal life with everything else. Ensure you take enough time off when you are feeling burnt out.
Food and nutrition also plays a key role as food dictates your mood and how you feel. You are 90% of what you eat. One of the biggest challenges is managing that negative voice in your head. What we consistently tell ourselves we gradually become. Some practical tips to release this inner dialogue is to journal and for every bad thing try to think of a good thing that you are grateful for.
Conclusion
This one is a bit cliched, which may explain why it’s so easy to overlook. It’s critical to seek out relationships with people who will support and reward you when you need it, criticise you when you need it, and constructively push you when you need it for your own personal growth. It’s simple to fall in love with individuals you like, yet this can lead to boredom quickly.