Almost every single company in the world uses technology in at least some aspect of their business. Regardless of the industry, technology has permeated our work lives in many different ways just like it has our personal lives.
The demand for tech specialist jobs within businesses across the world has skyrocketed, and they are now some of the most promising and in-demand career paths. But demand isn't just for dedicated tech specialists in development and support roles.
As companies come to rely more and more on technology for mission-critical systems, they expect their staff to have basic tech groundings and skills that most people weren't even aware of a few years ago. Developing these skills will not only make you more attractive to your current and future employers but will help you to develop a number of related skills that can be applied to all aspects of life.
Making You A Better Problem Solver
Problem-solving is a critical thinking skill applicable to any job in any career path. Problem-solving comes in many shapes and forms from solving mission-critical issues to talking to potential customers. No matter how repetitive and monotonous your job may seem, you can be sure that there is some degree of problem-solving involved in the work, and programming can help you refine those skills.
Programming may seem almost like magic at times, but once you have learnt the basics of a language you will quickly come to discover it's all really just about logic and problem-solving. The problem-solving starts at the most basic level with isolating what exactly is the problem to be solved and designing an overall solution to solve it, but it doesn't end there. Each stage of the software development process from coding the solution to figuring out improvements and optimisations is all about problem-solving.
Another great skill programming forces you to develop is splitting a problem up into its constituent parts, tackling large and overwhelming problems in small, isolated functions.
Reduces the Frustration In Using Technology
Modern technology can sometimes be infuriating to use. Simple tasks that should be incredibly quick and easy often spiral out-of-control due to vague errors or unintuitive workflows.
Programming won't make you an expert at operating your computer, mobile, or tablet—even the best programmers have to call IT support on occasion—but it will make your life easier. Once you have a greater understanding of the underlying systems and methodology that were used as the building blocks of your devices and software, everything becomes a lot less frustrating. Even when things are going wrong, and there is nothing you can do directly to fix the error, having a better understanding of what is causing the error can go a long way to reduce frustrations. That understanding can also be a major bonus when it comes to communicating the issue to the relevant support departments; the ability to communicate in the same jargon and language as the developers is guaranteed to make communication smoother and faster.
Allows You to Build and Prototype Your Own Ideas
Computer systems may seem magic at times, but at the end of the day, they are simply just a tool we all use to make our work easier and faster. Programming is the skill set that allows us to manipulate that tool effectively. Computers can do some amazing things; automating parts of your daily workflow can save hundreds of hours throughout the year. The ability the program opens up the door, giving you the ability to quickly build and prototype ideas and scripts, testing and confirming their effectiveness before spending the money and resources on full-scale development.
Makes You A Better Leader
The ability to communicate effectively is a core skill of being a manager. An MBA (Masters of Business Administration) is a popular qualification amongst CEOs and industry leaders, and its core teaching is the ability to communicate effectively between the numerous different departments and disciplines required to run and operate a business.
“Those that succeed are the ones who are quick to read and act on signs of change. They work out how to experiment rapidly, frequently, and economically—not only with products and services but also with business models, processes, and strategies.” - Elias Haddad, Company Director of Cheapest Load of Rubbish, Australia’s Leading Rubbish Removal Service.
With technology dominating so many critical aspects of a business, being able to effectively communicate with the technical departments is an important skill to manage them effectively, ensuring they have the resources they require to do their job.
Future Proofs Your Career
Almost every single job and career involves working with technology at some level, and as time moves on so does technology and it will only become more and more embedded in our work lives.
The ability to program alone will not suddenly open up new doors to a tech-related career, but it will make you more valuable to your current employer, and give you an edge when it comes time to apply for promotions or look at moving companies.
The tech world is forever changing and evolving, and it can seem overwhelming to start from scratch without any prior knowledge, but it's easier than you'd think to jump in and start learning. Many resources are available for people of all skill levels from free online and interactive courses to paid intensive boot camps designed to give you a fast-paced crash course with in-person tuition. Whatever your career, experience, or skill level, there has never been a better time to start learning, develop new skills, and advance your career.
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