2 Steps To Level Up In The Tech Industry

Going to the next level in the tech industry can be difficult if you don’t know or understand what you need to do to go forward with your career. In the tech industry, it’s more about what you continue to learn rather than what you know and can do right now. The basis of going to the next level in tech is for one, confidence in yourself and your abilities but also it’s your ability to grow and continue learning. You have to be adaptable, you have to be able to accept rapid change and be comfortable with the unknown. 

My advice on furthering your career in tech is simple but you must understand that these tips being shared are just the starting point. Depending on what you do in the industry and where you want to go dictates what more you need to do to reach the level of success you’re striving for. But to start, try incorporating these two basic tips into your “leveling up” journey. 

     1. Build Your Soft Skills 

Arguably, soft skills can be considered more important than technical skills. I say this because without certain soft skills you can’t effectively do your job. Communication, time management, and problem-solving skills are just scratching the surface of important skillsets every technology professional should have. To grow within the tech industry you continuously have to learn to stay competitive in the market. Constantly learning new programming languages, tech trends, and tools can give you the boost of credibility you need to be successful in tech.  

Learning to adopt a growth mindset has taken my career beyond what I initially expected. It’s easy, to sum up, our focus is getting an education for the job we want, then once you’ve acquired the job, you’re done with education. Most people think this way. But if you are constantly trying to know more and do more to become more, career advancement will come sooner than you could believe. Don’t wait for things to come to you, take what you want by establishing what more you can do to reach your goals. It’s easier said than done- You have to have the will to start, and the dedication and commitment to the career you want to establish. But most importantly you have to show up for yourself and not settle on the opportunities that come your way. Focus on your goal and expectations and learn how to expand your skillsets not just technically but in every context. Don’t be afraid to put in a lot of hard work before you see any sort of result.  

     2. Know Your Niche 

Figuring out where you want to go in this industry will help you focus your skillset. Knowing what you want to do in tech will help you distinguish between what’s a priority and what isn’t- This means you can decide whether you should be focusing on coding languages, scrum, how to lead a team, or whatever is important to the role you see yourself being in. Shaping your career from the beginning is important to furthering your career. You create the work-life balance you need and expect while also learning what is crucial to your success and current or expected role. Once you’ve decided your niche you’ll be able to thrive and showcase your talents. When you know what you’re doing and where you want to go, you will be better focused and find it easier to level up to your goals and expectations.  

The simplest way to advance in any career is to stay competitive. You have to have a sense of urgency to be better and do better. Wanting to level up in your career is an occurrence most people in the workforce want for themselves. No one wants a stagnant career and realizing this will keep you motivated. The tech industry is becoming very sought after to be in. People like the opportunities for career advancement, the remote/hybrid working environments, the independent but collaborative projects, and of course the salaries. But because this industry is becoming so popular, staying competitive by constantly learning, supports your credibility and helps you stand out against the competition. Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager, or clients. What are they looking for? What is important to them? Focus on the value you can deliver. 

The best advice I can give you is to stay current with what’s going on in the industry. Keeping relevant to tech trends helps you secure your position and have more opportunities to grow. Never think you know it all, with this mindset you won’t see the change you want to see in your career. Instead, you’ll likely be in the same place you were. Be adaptable, be resourceful, expect the unknown, and have the urgency to stay competitive in the evident competition of leveling up and career advancement in the technology industry.