Learn how to balance challenge and satisfaction in your IT career with these tips on setting goals, seeking feedback, managing time, and having fun.

In IT, I think two set of careers make sense to most of the managers and companies. The first one is specialization in a certain area. You become the ultimate expert in that area and people reach out to you as a subject matter expert. At that time, you are very valuable to the company, and you will have a long sustainable career. (Assuming that whatever you are expert in is also important to the company) The second one is generalization. You almost know everything about IT but not that deep. In this case, you can be a joker in the team which means that you can move to any sales or technical role, partner roles, business development role, because you know everything about the company and its solutions. This will be also very sustainable.

How can you make your IT career more sustainable?

If you work in IT, you know how fast-paced and demanding the field can be. You constantly need to keep up with new technologies, solve complex problems, and meet tight deadlines. But how can you make your IT career more sustainable, so that you can enjoy your work and avoid burnout? Here are some tips to help you achieve a balance between challenge and satisfaction in your IT career.

1 Identify your strengths and interests

One of the first steps to making your IT career more sustainable is to identify your strengths and interests. What are the skills and topics that you excel at and enjoy? What are the areas that you want to learn more about or improve? By knowing your strengths and interests, you can focus on the projects and tasks that match your abilities and passions. You can also seek out opportunities to grow and develop your skills in the areas that interest you.

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Mehmet Uner ☁
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In IT, I think two set of careers make sense to most of the managers and companies. The first one is specialization in a certain area. You become the ultimate expert in that area and people reach out to you as a subject matter expert. At that time, you are very valuable to the company, and you will have a long sustainable career. (Assuming that whatever you are expert in is also important to the company) The second one is generalization. You almost know everything about IT but not that deep. In this case, you can be a joker in the team which means that you can move to any sales or technical role, partner roles, business development role, because you know everything about the company and its solutions. This will be also very sustainable.

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Veronica Unnikrishnan. Exec MBA

Global Business & Technology Executive | Board Member | IT, OT and IoT Cyber Security, PMO & Operations | Agile Leader | Speaker | Mental Health, DEI & ESG Champion | AI Prompter Enthusiast
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Continuous learning. Keep your skills updated and read a lot! Technology is evolving and you need to evolve your knowledge too.

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Asha Kanta Sharma

Manager - Finance & Accounts @ Opendoors Fintech | Financial Accounting
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A sustainable IT career involves continuous learning, skill diversification, professional certifications, networking, balancing technical and soft skills, setting clear career goals, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and ethical decision-making. It involves adaptability, financial planning, open-source projects, health, wellness, strategic job changes, knowledge sharing, relationships, staying informed, celebrating achievements, advocating for inclusivity, creating a personal brand, evaluating job satisfaction, participating in industry events, and considering long-term impact.

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2 Set realistic and SMART goals

Another way to make your IT career more sustainable is to set realistic and SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By setting SMART goals, you can have a clear direction and plan for your career. You can also track your progress and celebrate your achievements. Setting realistic and SMART goals can help you avoid frustration and disappointment, as well as motivate you to keep learning and improving.

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Nina D.

Product Lead | CTO (CJBS)
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Do not get disappointed if you do not achieve the goals fast or if you fail to achieve a goal. Make sure to reflect on what you should do differently and keep going. Also it could happen that you set a wrong goal - modify the goal and create a new plan.

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3 Seek feedback and mentorship

A third way to make your IT career more sustainable is to seek feedback and mentorship. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as areas for improvement. Mentorship can help you learn from the experience and advice of others who have been in your position or have achieved your goals. By seeking feedback and mentorship, you can gain valuable insights and guidance for your career. You can also build your network and relationships with other IT professionals.

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4 Manage your time and energy

A fourth way to make your IT career more sustainable is to manage your time and energy. Time management can help you prioritize your tasks, avoid procrastination, and meet your deadlines. Energy management can help you cope with stress, maintain your health, and recharge your batteries. By managing your time and energy, you can improve your productivity and performance, as well as your well-being and happiness.

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5 Keep learning and adapting

A fifth way to make your IT career more sustainable is to keep learning and adapting. The IT field is constantly changing and evolving, so you need to stay updated and relevant. You can keep learning and adapting by reading blogs, books, and articles, taking online courses, attending webinars and workshops, joining communities and forums, and experimenting with new tools and techniques. By keeping learning and adapting, you can enhance your skills and knowledge, as well as your creativity and innovation.

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Nina D.

Product Lead | CTO (CJBS)
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This is in my opinion the most important thing to do when working in the IT field. Especially taking courses and getting in touch with other people to exchange on the current trends and different IT relevant topics is essential to make your career sustainable. Continuous learning gets you prepared for the future career opportunities, that will surely come.

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6 Have fun and enjoy your work

A sixth way to make your IT career more sustainable is to have fun and enjoy your work. IT can be challenging and stressful, but it can also be rewarding and exciting. You can have fun and enjoy your work by finding meaning and purpose in what you do, collaborating and communicating with your colleagues and clients, solving problems and creating solutions, and celebrating your successes and failures. By having fun and enjoy your work, you can increase your engagement and satisfaction, as well as your loyalty and retention.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you make your IT career more sustainable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Identify your strengths and interests

2 Set realistic and SMART goals

3 Seek feedback and mentorship

4 Manage your time and energy

5 Keep learning and adapting

6 Have fun and enjoy your work

7 Here’s what else to consider

Information Technology

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How can you make your IT career more sustainable?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify your strengths and interests

2 Set realistic and SMART goals

3 Seek feedback and mentorship

4 Manage your time and energy

5 Keep learning and adapting

6 Have fun and enjoy your work

7 Here’s what else to consider

Information Technology

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