9 answers
Marcello
Student
Reading, Massachusetts
1
Question
Asked
503 views
How can I stay adaptable and continuously improve my skills in a world where technology and job markets are changing so quickly ?
It’s something that feels super important, especially with how fast AI, automation, and remote work are shifting the professional landscape.
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9 answers
Laura Flessner
Content Quality Architect
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Laura’s Answer
Excellent job thinking proactively to keep pace with the rapidly changing tech space! Here are some tips I haven't seen mentioned yet:
- If you're with a company, research if they provide any professional development stipend you could use towards training and/or conferences. Sometimes working towards a specific certification, for example AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer, can help justify this.
- Also consider reaching out to people within your company at the same organizational level as you but in a different sector. This is more of a knowledge share approach vs. a formal mentorship. For example, if you're an ML engineer, you might reach out to someone in marketing to understand how they communicate ML offerings and what client's needs are. This promotes diversity of thought as you see each others fields through a different lens and may lead to a collaborative project! This could even go as deep as cross-training to diversify your skill set and make you a more cross-functional asset to your team and company.
- Another way to stay aware of the latest releases and tech advancements is to track the vendor's RSS feed via Slack or some other reader. You could also set up a google alert for specific topics.
- If you're interested in moving into a leadership role eventually, skip-level meetings are super valuable to understand high-level strategic vision, obstacles, and opportunities you could potentially contribute to. This also puts you on upper management's radar as going above and beyond.
- If you're with a company, research if they provide any professional development stipend you could use towards training and/or conferences. Sometimes working towards a specific certification, for example AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer, can help justify this.
- Also consider reaching out to people within your company at the same organizational level as you but in a different sector. This is more of a knowledge share approach vs. a formal mentorship. For example, if you're an ML engineer, you might reach out to someone in marketing to understand how they communicate ML offerings and what client's needs are. This promotes diversity of thought as you see each others fields through a different lens and may lead to a collaborative project! This could even go as deep as cross-training to diversify your skill set and make you a more cross-functional asset to your team and company.
- Another way to stay aware of the latest releases and tech advancements is to track the vendor's RSS feed via Slack or some other reader. You could also set up a google alert for specific topics.
- If you're interested in moving into a leadership role eventually, skip-level meetings are super valuable to understand high-level strategic vision, obstacles, and opportunities you could potentially contribute to. This also puts you on upper management's radar as going above and beyond.
Jacob Smith
Account Executive
2
Answers
Farmington, Utah
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Great job for asking the right questions! It shows you're thinking ahead.
1. Follow companies and influencers in your field on social media. Look for those who are also learning and growing. Share your experiences, connect with similar people or groups, and ask questions in the comments. Seek advice when needed.
2. Find a mentor to guide you. Learn from their experiences and how they have improved their skills. Mentors can make your learning journey easier. Many professionals are eager to share their knowledge.
3. Use online training platforms to learn new skills at your own pace. These platforms offer flexible training and coaching options.
Keep up the good work and good luck!
1. Follow companies and influencers in your field on social media. Look for those who are also learning and growing. Share your experiences, connect with similar people or groups, and ask questions in the comments. Seek advice when needed.
2. Find a mentor to guide you. Learn from their experiences and how they have improved their skills. Mentors can make your learning journey easier. Many professionals are eager to share their knowledge.
3. Use online training platforms to learn new skills at your own pace. These platforms offer flexible training and coaching options.
Keep up the good work and good luck!
Suman Kumar Mandal
Talent Acquisition
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Suman Kumar’s Answer
Hey Marcello,
Honestly, just asking this question shows you’re already thinking in the right direction.
I stay connected to people through LinkedIn, podcasts or group chats. Conversations with others often gives me insights that I wouldn’t have found on my own. And another thing that’s helped me stay adaptable is that I try to stay curious for not just about my field but also about what’s happening around it too like AI or new tools released or upcoming tech etc.
And finally, I remind myself that adaptability isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being willing to learn, pivot and to grow!!!!!!
Best of Luck!
Honestly, just asking this question shows you’re already thinking in the right direction.
I stay connected to people through LinkedIn, podcasts or group chats. Conversations with others often gives me insights that I wouldn’t have found on my own. And another thing that’s helped me stay adaptable is that I try to stay curious for not just about my field but also about what’s happening around it too like AI or new tools released or upcoming tech etc.
And finally, I remind myself that adaptability isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about being willing to learn, pivot and to grow!!!!!!
Best of Luck!
Andres Galindez
system engineer
8
Answers
Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Updated
Andres’s Answer
Hi Marcello, focus on one technology at a time and become an expert. If you stray, you'll just procrastinate and never get any further. Take one step at a time and you'll learn a lot.
Charles Quinn
Unemployed
2
Answers
Buffalo, SC
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Study and Google search.
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical engineer, researcher and Software Developer
210
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
In today's fast-paced world, where technology and AI are changing how we work, being adaptable is crucial. To stay on top, keep learning and pay attention to important trends. Focus on solving problems you love, as this keeps you flexible when your job or industry changes. Develop both technical and people skills to become well-rounded.
Learning by doing is important. Start small projects, try out new tools, and share what you learn. Join communities that push and inspire you to grow. Don't stick to just one job—explore different ways to earn money. Work on side projects, try freelancing, and don't rely on just one income source. The more you try new things and learn, the more ready you'll be for any changes that come your way.
Learning by doing is important. Start small projects, try out new tools, and share what you learn. Join communities that push and inspire you to grow. Don't stick to just one job—explore different ways to earn money. Work on side projects, try freelancing, and don't rely on just one income source. The more you try new things and learn, the more ready you'll be for any changes that come your way.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
658
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Marcello,
I would recommend to take up any opportunity for additional training especially if it's paid for by your employer. Also, always keep an eye on the job market even if you are not looking. Look for the kind of jobs someone with your training should be qualified for and check what skills employers expect for those positions. The last couple of years e.g., AI crept into just about every job description. Talk to your friends and colleagues about changes they have experienced. If you are working with particular equipment, follow the manufacturers and their updates.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
I would recommend to take up any opportunity for additional training especially if it's paid for by your employer. Also, always keep an eye on the job market even if you are not looking. Look for the kind of jobs someone with your training should be qualified for and check what skills employers expect for those positions. The last couple of years e.g., AI crept into just about every job description. Talk to your friends and colleagues about changes they have experienced. If you are working with particular equipment, follow the manufacturers and their updates.
I hope this helps! All the best!
KP
Chris Lenart
Network Architecture
4
Answers
Ashburn, Virginia
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hi Marcello. I'm glad to see you recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit. You're certainly correct that technology changes quickly and it's a good idea to keep up.
If you work for a large company, especially a tech company, see if there is any available training internally. Or, possibly having the company pay for training with another firm. Conferences also provide updates and insight into new technologies and sometimes examples on how a technology is used.
Look online for companies that provide training in a certain area. For AI specifically, there are going to be many companies that provide training, including preparation for certifications which will be very useful for future job searches. Check local universities as well. Lots of them have continuing education departments that offer courses and may be cheaper than a company offering a bootcamp.
Unfortunately usually courses can be expensive, both money and time. If you have the motivation it's possible to find content online on sites like YouTube or websites like Medium. If you find a quality YouTube channel you can watch several videos to get a grasp on new topics and tech, or a website may have interesting step-by-step guides to get you started. These can give you inspiration to continue searching online for other videos and articles that can teach you a topic, and you can study and practice with them. For example, I taught myself Python mostly with YouTube videos. I'd find a topic that interests me and see how someone created the code or solved a problem. With those videos I could also see the "tools" I needed to practice on my own and try it myself, such as how to set up my computer to run Python code.
The most important thing, no matter which path you choose (certifications, online videos, etc.) is to be persistent and consistent. Even if you practice a little bit at a time, if you keep doing it you'll eventually gain the knowledge and skills to be an expert and to apply those skills to real life and at work.
Look inside your company (this job or the next) to see if they offer training for any topics you're interested in
Look for companies or conferences that offer training or discussions in interested topics
Look online for quality instructional articles, blogs and videos to provide background to get started and inspiration on projects to learn
Keep at it! Even if it's little bits at a time. Something is better than nothing.
If you work for a large company, especially a tech company, see if there is any available training internally. Or, possibly having the company pay for training with another firm. Conferences also provide updates and insight into new technologies and sometimes examples on how a technology is used.
Look online for companies that provide training in a certain area. For AI specifically, there are going to be many companies that provide training, including preparation for certifications which will be very useful for future job searches. Check local universities as well. Lots of them have continuing education departments that offer courses and may be cheaper than a company offering a bootcamp.
Unfortunately usually courses can be expensive, both money and time. If you have the motivation it's possible to find content online on sites like YouTube or websites like Medium. If you find a quality YouTube channel you can watch several videos to get a grasp on new topics and tech, or a website may have interesting step-by-step guides to get you started. These can give you inspiration to continue searching online for other videos and articles that can teach you a topic, and you can study and practice with them. For example, I taught myself Python mostly with YouTube videos. I'd find a topic that interests me and see how someone created the code or solved a problem. With those videos I could also see the "tools" I needed to practice on my own and try it myself, such as how to set up my computer to run Python code.
The most important thing, no matter which path you choose (certifications, online videos, etc.) is to be persistent and consistent. Even if you practice a little bit at a time, if you keep doing it you'll eventually gain the knowledge and skills to be an expert and to apply those skills to real life and at work.
Chris recommends the following next steps:
Dagmar Mayor
Tester
1
Answer
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Dagmar’s Answer
Always be open to change and view it as a chance to grow, not something to fear. Stay curious and keep learning throughout your life. Never stop learning! If needed, take refresher courses to keep your skills up to date and learn new ones related to your interests. Follow industry blogs, podcasts, or newsletters to stay informed about current trends. Stay connected and join professional groups. Good luck!