From the course: Introduction to Career Skills in Software Development

Keeping your skills sharp - Python Tutorial

From the course: Introduction to Career Skills in Software Development

Keeping your skills sharp

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- Marc Benioff once said, "The only constant in the technology industry is change." How true. Think about the technology you use everyday. It's constantly upgraded and evolving. When I was growing up, I would have never imagined the ability to have a connected device in my home that could control the lights, the TV, even the thermostat. But that's a technical reality today. For programmers, this means a constantly evolving learning curve. So how do we keep up? What can we do to keep our skills sharp? First and foremost, you are responsible for your career. Whether your current job provides you with exposure to new technologies, you must find the time to investigate what's trending in the industry. A straightforward way to do this is to subscribe to a newsletter that shares links to relevant industry topics. The most popular programming languages, frameworks, and industries have several that you can choose from. If you struggle with finding time to read, I recommend subscribing to podcasts that cover the latest in the industry. For example, if you're into cybersecurity, they have podcasts for that, mobile development, no problem. Podcasts have you covered. You name it, there's probably someone with a podcast about it. Besides that, you should also consider working on a side project. Side projects are simple programs that you develop to explore a new technology in your free time. Some programmers need their free time to completely disconnect from their computers. I respect that. But if you're the type who prefers to use it for learning, then a side project is the way to go. So far, we've talked about things you do on your own. But one of my favorite things about programming is the tech community. There are conferences, webinars, local events, and more in the tech community where you can join with other programmers to learn about new technologies together. These events typically provide an introduction and get you excited about exploring more. Sound like a lot? I'll be honest. Sometimes it can be, but at the end of it all, programming is about solving problems with technology. So if you keep your mind sharp and continue to think critically, you'll be just fine.

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