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What skill should someone who is aspiring to be an IT professional be working on?

I already know I want to get certifications, I've been working a personal project like a home lab, and I got an internship for the summer. What is something I can do to keep up with tech, without getting burnout if possible?

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Manvi’s Answer

Hi there!

Starting a career in IT is exciting, and the field rewards curiosity more than perfection. Focus on a few core areas:

Technical basics: Get comfortable with networking (TCP/IP, DNS), operating systems (Linux and Windows), and at least one cloud platform like AWS or Azure. Learn scripting — Python or Bash — to automate small tasks. Understand version control with Git.

Problem-solving: This is the heart of IT. Practice troubleshooting methodically: reproduce the issue, isolate variables, check logs, form a hypothesis, test it. Tools change, but this mindset stays valuable.

Security awareness: Learn the fundamentals of identity, access, and safe handling of data. Even entry-level roles need this.

Soft skills: Clear communication and good documentation often matter more than raw technical depth. Being able to explain a problem simply is a superpower.

Stay curious, keep building, and don't fear mistakes — they're the best teachers
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John’s Answer

1. Stay endlessly curious and eager to learn, even when things get tough.
2. Learn a new technology with a clear goal, like building a family calendar using React JS and Auth0.
3. Seek out a great mentor, someone who has more experience, and build a supportive relationship.
4. Never hesitate to ask questions, but try to solve things on your own first.
5. IT has many paths, so focus on what you enjoy. Do you like creating systems, working with hardware, interacting with people, automating tasks, or building websites?
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Ashley’s Answer

Hi Evan -

I work as an IT professional and increasingly I am noticing more need for what we call EQ or Emotional Intelligence. With AI dominating intelligence and memory activities, true differentiators are people who can display empathy, compassion, active listening, articulation.

Essentially leaning into developing your soft skills will take you further in the long run. Good luck and looking forward to seeing whole and healthy professionals in the workplace over the coming years.
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Mary Ann’s Answer

Hi Evan,
This is a really interesting question at this point in time. Traditionally, people who were looking to work in IT Technology would focus a lot on hardware, software and coding. But, the world is changing and AI is the thing. And, bonus for you, no one is currently an expert on AI. So, there's an opportunity for you to become an expert.

While it's important to let your curiosity guide you to learn things that are interesting, AI knowledge and experience is what will help you to stand out when it's time to get a job and make you more marketable. Take some time to learn about large language models (LLM), agents, platforms for AI, the logic for how AI works. Learn about how you teach the model so that it can return usable results. Maybe you want to focus on Generative AI or Agentic AI. I know I just threw a bunch of terms at you that may be causing your head to spin a bit. But, that's the way of the IT world today. For those of us in the workforce trying to incorporate AI into the way we work on a daily basis, it can be overwhelming. We're trying to learn a new way to do the things we've done in the past. For you, it's different. You have the opportunity to identify use cases for AI to make people more productive. And, right now, AI is a pretty wide open field. My best advice is to focus as much as you can on AI.
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Michele’s Answer

Karen makes a great point that your interest in IT can guide your path, as it's such a wide field. Sam is also right about the importance of staying focused.

With AI becoming a big part of IT, some coding tasks might be handled by AI tools in the future. However, the human touch is crucial for connecting business needs with technology, so focus on understanding how technology solves real-world problems.

If you're eager to learn more, Salesforce offers free training through Trailheads, https://trailhead.salesforce.com/ which are a fun way to learn and earn points. You can explore AI skills, tech skills, and soft skills like communication and leadership, and even earn certifications, though those aren't free.

Good luck with your project and internship! Keep that learning mindset, which you already seem to have!
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Wilson’s Answer

Hi Eva,

The IT industry offers a wide range of career paths for you to explore. You can choose between technical and non-technical roles, each with its own unique opportunities.

Technical roles are perfect if you enjoy working directly with technology. These jobs, like programming or hardware repair, involve hands-on tasks and require a good understanding of how technology works.

If you prefer a role that focuses on planning and organization, non-technical positions might be a better fit. Jobs in IT business management or project management are all about ensuring projects are completed on time and meet goals. These roles often value certifications like ITIL or PMP and don't require you to deal with programming or technical details.

If you want to join the IT industry without the stress of keeping up with fast-changing tech, a non-technical path could be a great choice for you.
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Cody’s Answer

Hi Evan,

The world of IT is always changing, and trying to keep up with everything can be exhausting. It's best to find the parts of technology that you really enjoy and focus on those. Dive deep into learning about them and stay updated on the latest developments in those areas.
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Vishal’s Answer

Focus on learning how to continuously learn without burning out.
Instead of chasing every tech trend:

Pick one area to go deep in (cloud, networking, security, etc.)
Spend 30 minutes daily learning consistently
Build small practical projects
Improve communication and troubleshooting skills
Master fundamentals like Linux, networking, scripting, and security

Consistency beats grinding. The goal is steady growth, not knowing everything.
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Eric’s Answer

Hi Evan! It sounds like you're off to a great start. I'm sure a lot of people mentioned understanding and using AI. That is important but you also need to understand the foundations of technology and how everything connects. Build that foundation so you understand what AI is doing, where things break, and how to fix them. The other areas I would highly suggest working on is communication (translating technical issues into plain English for your non-technical co-workers), problem solving / troubleshooting, continuous learning (not just certificates), time management and prioritization, and relationship building.
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Karen’s Answer

Hi Evan! IT is a very wide field so the answer to the question depends on your interests. Are you more looking forward to infrastructure like servers and cloud architecture or software like applications. Are you interested in mobile technology or web? Or maybe you are drawn to cybersecurity? Or UX/UI? Once you decide, you can subscribe to tech magazines and YouTube channels. LinkedIn has decent articles on what is happening in tech both from an innovations and current events perspective. Hottest items right now: AI, Cybersecurity, UX. Good luck and happy computing!
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Sikha’s Answer

Hi Evan,
I think you’re on the right path if you want to build a career as an IT professional.

At this stage, I’d recommend focusing on one area first and building strong knowledge in it. For example, you could choose cloud, cybersecurity, networking, or AI. Starting with one focus area will help you build a solid foundation and make it easier to grow your skills over time.

Wishing you all the best.
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Luther J.’s Answer

Besides all the technical certifications, I'd say the most important thing is to focus on your soft skills. Technical knowledge is essential, but strong communication skills are what will truly take you far in IT. The ability to explain complex ideas, work effectively with others, and build relationships is a skill set that's often overlooked but incredibly valuable.
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Angela’s Answer

Hi Evan, You are already doing a lot of the right things, and that is worth recognizing first. Certifications, a home lab, and a summer internship put you well ahead of many people who are just starting out in IT. That shows motivation, curiosity, and follow through.

One of the most important skills to keep developing, alongside technical knowledge, is how you think about problems. Technology will keep changing, tools will come and go, but the ability to break down a problem, research calmly, test ideas, and learn from mistakes will stay valuable throughout your career. When something does not work, asking “why” and being patient with the process is a core IT skill.
To keep up with tech without burning out, think in terms of sustainable exposure, not constant intensity.
A few healthy approaches that work well long term:

Make learning small and intentional. Instead of trying to follow everything, pick one area at a time that genuinely interests you. Fifteen to thirty minutes a few times a week is more effective than long, exhausting sessions.
Learn through curiosity, not pressure. Read a blog, watch a short talk, or follow one creator you trust. You do not need to know everything. Even experienced professionals do not.
Let your project and internship guide your learning. If you run into something new, look it up then. This keeps learning practical and relevant, which is far less draining.
Accept that it is okay to log off. Rest is not falling behind. Burnout comes from feeling like you must always be “on”, which simply is not true in IT.

Another underrated skill is communication, even if you enjoy working alone. Being able to explain a technical idea clearly, ask for help when needed, or write good documentation will quietly set you apart. You do not have to be outgoing to be good at this, just clear and thoughtful.
Most importantly, remember this: you do not need to know everything to belong in IT. You need curiosity, consistency, and the willingness to keep learning. You already have those. If you pace yourself and stay connected to what genuinely interests you, IT can be a rewarding and sustainable career, not an exhausting one.

You are building a strong foundation. Keep going, and trust that learning over time is enough.
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Ashish’s Answer

Hi Evan,

It sounds like you’re already on the right track. Building a home lab, earning certifications, and securing an internship are all great ways to develop your skills. The key now is finding a pace that helps you keep learning without feeling like you have to know everything at once.

One thing that helped me was focusing on depth instead of trying to follow every new technology. The IT world changes quickly, and it’s impossible to stay up to date with everything. Pick one area that interests you—such as networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, or system administration—and build a solid foundation there before moving on to the next topic.

I also recommend setting aside a small amount of time each week to stay informed. Reading tech news, watching a conference talk, or following a few trusted professionals can help you stay current without becoming overwhelming.

Since you’ll be starting an internship, take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions, observe experienced professionals, and volunteer for tasks that challenge you. Real-world experience often teaches lessons that books and videos can’t.

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills. Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and a willingness to learn are qualities that employers value just as much as technical knowledge.

You’re already doing many of the right things. Stay curious, be consistent, and remember that a successful IT career is built over years—not weeks. I wish you the best with your internship and your future in tech!
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Sam’s Answer

Hey Evan! Assuming you will have not a ton of time and money this summer with the internship. I don't think you should "keep up with tech" I think you should do a good job at your internship and do a good job with tech stuff on the side when you have time. Visibility is the key. You might not (and probably won't) have 40 hours of work to do each week at your internship. You might only have 10! Don't use those other 30 hours scrolling or watching YouTube. Use them to document what you are doing and put ideas on paper where you think business value can be improved. If you run out of that, do stuff on your work laptop that would make you a better employee if you worked there full time. And if you run out of that, then don't use your work equipment for personal development unless they tell you you can!

In terms of money, use every internal resource you have available at work. Training videos, free Udemy accounts, old documentation, LinkedIn learning. It's likely they will have something like this available. Outside of work, get cheap/free used hardware that you can afford, and use free/cheap cloud technologies for home labbing. Your goal should not be having the world's best home lab (because you can accomplish that by paying a ton of money). Your goal should be to have a cool home lab that you're proud of and can afford. I can guarantee you that most IT managers worth their salt are going to be able to tell the difference. And to avoid burnout, do as much as you can while prioritizing your physical and mental health. Easier said than done, but it's literally the most important thing you can do.
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Sai Kiran’s Answer

As you would know, AI is front and center now. I would look to first build products that help you get more productive leveraging AI, for example a personal AI assistant leveraging (Hermes for example with a basic 20$ OpenAI subscription) to automate anything you do on a daily basis. Then move on to solving problems for local business around you - for example building a customer booking agentic ai app for your dentist. When you look to build products - you start to learn about technology concepts and implementation best practices at a level no books or certifications can teach you. Have patience, keep grinding and you will get there. All the best.
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Travis’s Answer

Hi Evan!

While technical skills like programming languages, OOP, networking, and other IT knowledge are all important, I would actually say one of the most valuable things to work on is your soft skills. Communication, note taking, problem explanation, and networking with other people are often overlooked, but they make a huge difference in IT. These skills help a lot in interviews and when trying to land jobs, but they are just as important once you are actually working. Being able to clearly explain what you are doing, where you are stuck, what you have already tried, and what support you need is incredibly valuable.

Soft skills also matter more and more as you grow in your career. They help with teamwork, building trust, earning promotions, mentoring newer professionals, and eventually taking on leadership responsibilities. Focusing on soft skills is a great way to keep developing without burning yourself out, because they can be practiced naturally through work, conversations, writing good notes, and building professional relationships.
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