5 Reasons Why You Need to Constantly Improve Your IT Skills
You have the IT job you love – the right industry tailored to your preferences and education. You love it. You love your colleagues as well and everything seems perfect. Do you still have to improve yourself? While most people overlook this idea, the truth is you need to constantly grow in this industry.
IT changes on a yearly basis. New technologies pop up, while older technologies fade away. Some of them do not even make it and cannot stick around. What works today could be completely irrelevant a few years later. So, why is this the type of career that asks for constant learning? Why do you always have to improve?
Higher productivity and confidence
Gaining more skills – regardless of the IT field you are in – will boost your productivity, as well as your confidence. You do not necessarily want to work harder, but smarter. Developing new skills will help you embrace new technologies and finish your tasks in a more efficient manner.
Even if the skills are not necessarily relevant to your particular field, you will be able to see things in a different manner. You can fix technical problems without relying on a different department. Simply focus on the right projects and jobs while being able to use your extra skills for relevant applications.
Job security
Job security is a must in the long run. People want peace of mind. You want to know that you can apply for a mortgage or buy your dream car without risking to lose your job. On the other hand, the IT is a constantly changing industry. Fail to keep up with it and your skills will become irrelevant – a younger and better trained individual will take over.
From this point of view, being familiar and experienced with new technologies ensures you will be able to keep your job in the long run.
New opportunities
You might love your job right now, but what about 10 years from now? New departments may open up within the same company – new opportunities, jobs, careers and so on. Career progression is part of the game and there is one way to get there – developing new skills.
Perhaps you want to manage projects for your company instead – get a PMP certification straight away. Maybe you feel like a new coding language will dominate the industry later on – start practicing today and get ready for it later on.
The globally recognized PMP degree tells employers and peers that you know what you are doing in terms of project management. Even if it is not part of your job, bringing projects to completion asks for it.
Imagine the worst scenario too – losing your job. The company may go down, for example. What is your plan then? Being experienced with other fields and skills will most likely open new doors for you. Even if you love your job, a new opportunity might pop up tomorrow – doing a bit more and getting paid twice as much. Would you take it?
Higher earning potential
Many companies provide a ladder experience. Practically, you start at an entry level. You get more training with time and you can do more things within the company. A bit of diversification makes the job more exciting. Besides, being able to do more will give you the possibility to earn more too.
The market is global and companies can hire freelancers from all over the world for a lower price – your relevance and skills make the difference. You want your employer – and customers – know that you are a valuable asset.
Being on top of everything
Discover the latest coding language and try it out in your spare time – get a bit of experience. Discover a new software and become familiar with it, especially if you believe it will make the difference in the future. Get out of your comfort zone and keep on top of new developments.
Such things will help you keep equipped to compete in the IT industry. You will never need new training from your employer and you will never be at risk of losing your job.
Bottom line, the IT industry changes round the clock. People come and go. Professionals today will be completely relevant a decade later. Maintaining a good job and increasing your pay in an exciting manner can be difficult and almost impossible in the long run – but never if you play along with the industry and keep on top of it.
