7 answers
christian
Student
Tampa, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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WHAT OTHER STRENGTHS OR EXPERIENCE MIGHT I NEED FOR SUGGESTED CAREERS?
honesty i will work hard to get my career on technology. #tech #technology #career #career-development
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7 answers
Meg Scane
Business Intelligence
1
Answer
Placentia, California
Updated
Meg’s Answer
There are some strengths and key attributes that will help you in any sector. Some of these including: delivers results, ability to articulate ideas and communicate well, translate findings into actionable insights, trustworthiness, and your individuality.
I recommend you continue to ask questions, be curious, and try to find a mentor in the technology sector.
I recommend you continue to ask questions, be curious, and try to find a mentor in the technology sector.
Richard Sodon
Technical Product Manager - Making products and services for a digital life
16
Answers
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Christian,
One of the challenges I have working with technologists in any career is they tend to be narrowly focused on their technological training/background when looking at business challenges. They jump to a solution based on their skill/knowledge without fully understanding the implications of that solution and how it fits into the big picture. Being able to understand the business problem that we are trying to solve first and then fitting the right tools/skills/technology to solve the problem
Critical thinking would be another awesome skill to develop. I've found that the 5-why (or how) approach is a good way to help address this. That approach is to ask Why 5 times. A business partner presents you with a business problem, ask why/what/how is that needed, then follow up their answer with why does our customer need it that way and go down 3 more time to get a good understanding of what problem your business partner is trying to solve.
Once you have that down, then think of all of the potential obstacles that might get in the way of solving that problem and what might make the solution challenging for the end user/customer.
Finally, thinking of things from the customer's perspective. Too often I find that my technology partners understand the problem from a technical perspecitve and they assume wrongly that the customer would think the same way they do. Always ask yourself, how would your grandmother or grandfather try to use the solution. If they can't figure it out, then go back to the drawing board, unless of course you are developing something for power users. Always think like your intended user base would use it, not the way you would.
One of the challenges I have working with technologists in any career is they tend to be narrowly focused on their technological training/background when looking at business challenges. They jump to a solution based on their skill/knowledge without fully understanding the implications of that solution and how it fits into the big picture. Being able to understand the business problem that we are trying to solve first and then fitting the right tools/skills/technology to solve the problem
Critical thinking would be another awesome skill to develop. I've found that the 5-why (or how) approach is a good way to help address this. That approach is to ask Why 5 times. A business partner presents you with a business problem, ask why/what/how is that needed, then follow up their answer with why does our customer need it that way and go down 3 more time to get a good understanding of what problem your business partner is trying to solve.
Once you have that down, then think of all of the potential obstacles that might get in the way of solving that problem and what might make the solution challenging for the end user/customer.
Finally, thinking of things from the customer's perspective. Too often I find that my technology partners understand the problem from a technical perspecitve and they assume wrongly that the customer would think the same way they do. Always ask yourself, how would your grandmother or grandfather try to use the solution. If they can't figure it out, then go back to the drawing board, unless of course you are developing something for power users. Always think like your intended user base would use it, not the way you would.
Ruth Whalen
Development / Operations Manager
5
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Ruth’s Answer
Curiosity and being able to break down problems into little steps are two personal strengths that are needed. There are a lot of different careers in the technology field. You will want to determine which are of interest. Being able to talk about specific project that you completed and a problem that you were able to overcome are both keys to getting a job. Make sure you take advantage and try new ideas to get some experience. this may be as simple as volunteering to do data entry for a group to get a view of what they do in depth.
Dennis Prendergast
Account Manager
64
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Dennis’s Answer
Christian always do your research - in this case Technology. Think beyond the resume do not think people know who you are because you applied.
Be ready - Avoid distractions and most important always be yourself! (This is the best way for a potential employer to get to know you)
Good Luck!
Be ready - Avoid distractions and most important always be yourself! (This is the best way for a potential employer to get to know you)
Good Luck!
Alexandra Douvre
Program Manager
2
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Alexandra’s Answer
There are many careers in technology. If you're looking to be a software or hardware engineer, you should be working on or proficient in some coding languages for software, material design and engineering for hardware, etc. If you're looking to be a program manager, like myself, experience in the industry and role is helpful, as are being organized, a good communicator, effective in prioritization, and an efficient collaborator and leader across teams.
Ashish Ravindranathan
Technical Consulting Engineer
7
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Ashish’s Answer
Try to identify the field in science and technology that excites you, devote your time in first having a strong grip on the skills that excite you and then start developing your business acumen, financial acumen around the part of technology you work in.
Enroll into Toastmasters clubs around you which will help you improve your communication and leadership skills with a specific focus on public speaking.
There are lot of people with outstanding technical skills but they are not able to communicate about their accomplishments. This is where communication skills and public speaking skills will help.
You not only have to do good work but you should also know to do marketing about your work/skills/products.
Enroll into Toastmasters clubs around you which will help you improve your communication and leadership skills with a specific focus on public speaking.
There are lot of people with outstanding technical skills but they are not able to communicate about their accomplishments. This is where communication skills and public speaking skills will help.
You not only have to do good work but you should also know to do marketing about your work/skills/products.
Liam McDonald
7
Answers
Updated
Liam’s Answer
Hello Christen, I had a similar question when I graduated. When I did not have a job history, I needed to impress them to take a chance on me. Learning a few basics on multiple coding languages helps an employer trust that you have some technical knowledge. Most entry-level positions have a robust training program and would take a chance on someone that can learn quickly. Once you have a few years of experience, you can start applying for more challenging and specialized positions. There are many online courses (I learn Java on an app) and the basics are usually free. Many coding languages overlap, so having a foundation for a few makes employers thing that you can learn others.
Learn some basic code
Get a technical entry level position
Find a career that you are passionate about when you have at least 3 years experience
Liam recommends the following next steps: