A guide to building your tech career
In my last 20 years in the tech industry, I was fortunate to work with some of the great minds and wonderful organizations. My tech career is peppered with numerous successes, several failures, happy moments, things to forget, and above all – valuable lessons learned for life.
In this post, I am sharing my thoughts on effective ways to build a tech career – especially targeted at young and early-stage professionals. Though it makes equal sense to experienced professionals, being mindful of these early in your career has the potential for maximum returns.
#1 Create a primary tech stack for yourself
Choose a primary tech stack for yourself. This is essential.
The current industry landscape requires you to switch between multiple technologies and platforms, almost daily. But this doesn’t mean you don’t have your primary tech stack.
Think of it as a “T” shaped skill. Depth is where your primary skills are.
Your tech stack should be well-rounded, to be able to create a technical solution end-to-end
Here’s one example tech stack: Java / Spring Boot / ReactJS / AWS / Redis / MongoDB / PostgreSQL
If you have deep skills in each of these components, then you can create a production-grade solution from the ground up.
#2 Focus on solutions, not just code
It is great to start as a start programmer. But as you grow in your career, start thinking about solving problems in addition to writing good code.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when developing software components:
What is the business problem I am trying to solve?
Does my solution offer the best user experience?
Do I have to code the entire solution or integrate it with existing ones?
Are there low-code (or no-code) solutions that can solve the business problem faster and cheaper?
Is my solution easy to maintain and change as business evolves?
Being aware of business context and having a customer focus, helps you stand out as a great software engineer.
#3 Never underestimate the power of soft skills
Strong soft skills can take you to places that your technical skills alone cannot.
Here are some common skills that will make you stand out from others:
Simple and clear communication (verbal and written)
Giving feedback the right way
Negotiate priorities
Giving impactful presentations
Managing conflicts
Persuading everyone to get things done
A good technologist can not only build great software but be able to ship it, by navigating the challenges and constraints.
#4 Build a strong network
A strong network of like-minded professionals is essential to thrive in your tech career.
Have a diverse network – consisting of fellow engineers, interns, senior tech leaders, and other industry influencers. It will not only broaden your perspective in the current job but may open up irresistible opportunities.
Here are some ways to build a network:
Attend meetups and conferences in your regions
Volunteer to help student communities
Engage with technologists and the content they create, using LinkedIn, Twitter, their blogs, etc.
Make it a habit to regularly be in touch with your ex-colleagues and other acquaintances
Remember to give more than you take from your network
It not only creates good karma but gets you the support when you need it.
#5 Be a fast learner
At any stage in your career, never stop being a learner. Also, be a fast learner.
Technology advancements are never ending and it is essential to be aware of them. A good technologist must constantly expand their toolkit.
When there is a problem to solve, use your toolkit – the broader and wider range of tools in it, the better will be your solution.
Use opportunities provided by your organization or local government, to up-skill yourself. Treat it as an investment in yourself that has long-term returns.
#6 Grow people
And finally, a good leader creates more leaders. Find opportunities to help and grow people.
Here are some ways to grow people within and outside your organization:
Mentor junior employees
Participate in new employee onboarding programs
Train others on things that you are good at
Give back to the community by sharing your knowledge
Genuinely elevate your team members and if there is a need, be ready to fight for it
To Summarize
Here are some tips to build a strong tech career from the start:
Create a primary tech stack for yourself
Focus on solutions, not just code
Never underestimate the power of soft skills
Build a strong network
Be a fast learner
Grow people
A bonus tip is to be self-aware and aware of power dynamics around you – so that you can grab right opportunities when they present themselves. It can take you a long way!
