The tech industry is a crazy place. One day, you’re on top, and then something new, better, and more effective shows up, and suddenly a skill you’re really good at is almost obsolete.
Here are several ways you can identify and evolve with trends and stay relevant so you can keep track of an industry that constantly changes.
Developers always have to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of the IT industry, learning about new skills and technologies, improving and being an eternal student.
Still, there are many ways to stay in the game and keep the innovations coming.
Find out how you can learn in-demand skills and build an outstanding career with Brainster
Use social media to stay informed of peers’ opinions
You can use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to follow peers from your industry, read blogs from experts, and be part of groups and online communities. Prominent tech leaders often post updates about their own companies or opinion pieces on big changes, so it’s a great way to keep informed and read about peers’ opinions in the comments.
Also, a lot of people use Facebook Groups to ask a question, get in touch with peers, or simply stay informed on some topics.
Open source communities
A lot of the software in our technology stacks is often open-source, or at least partly. So, a great way for developers to learn new technologies and broaden their tech stack is by joining an open-source community and learn from peers.
Books
Yes, blogs, podcasts, and groups are useful, but the only way to dive in and learn in-depth is by reading books. Reading online or asking someone for help is easier and quicker, but reading a book is far more thorough.
Podcasts
If you spend a lot of time walking around or on the bus while going to work, your fitness routine, or simply doing chores, pop your earphones in and find a podcast that’s going to help you learn something new. Full Stack Radio, Developer Tea, Front End Happy Hour, Programming Throwdown, This Week in Google, are just some of the podcasts that will keep you informed and entertained at the same time.
Events and webinars
Events are great because you learn something new and mingle with people from the same industry. Networking is also important, so going to conferences and meetups is a good opportunity for growth.
But, it’s not always possible — you maybe need time or money, or simply can’t go to any events.
Webinars are here to help you learn a new skill in the comfort of your own home or workspace.
Quora
Quora is the place where you can find important engineers and tech company owners replying to questions from members and discussing important topics.
You can find a whole range of topics — from more practical ones to abstract themes about how technology changes humanity as a while
You can find different tools, languages, and tech there, or just see what others think about a certain topic.
And most importantly — stay curious!
It’s easy to get in your own cocoon and forget how important it is to keep learning. We sometimes get comfortable because we believe we know it all, but the landscape is changing very quickly, and we have to do that too. So, stay curious and sceptical, and never stop learning.
If you have ever thought about a future-proof career in UX/UI Design or Data Science, have a look at our remote Bootcamps.
