You’re looking to upskill in your IT career. How can you find the right resources?

If you work in information technology (IT), you know that the field is constantly evolving and demanding new skills. Whether you want to advance your career, switch to a different role, or stay relevant in your current position, upskilling is essential. But how can you find the right resources to learn what you need? Here are some tips to help you plan and execute your upskilling strategy.

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1 Assess your goals and gaps

Before you start looking for resources, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and where you need to improve. Do you want to learn a specific technology, tool, or framework? Do you want to gain a certification, a degree, or a credential? Do you want to develop a soft skill, such as communication, leadership, or problem-solving? Start by reviewing your current skills, responsibilities, and performance, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then, research the skills and qualifications that are in demand or relevant for your desired role or industry. Compare your current and desired skill sets, and prioritize the areas that need the most attention.

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David Wisniewski

Striving for the perfect balance between happiness and success...
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Early in my IT career, I overlooked the rising tide of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Recognizing this gap, I set a goal to dive deep into this innovative field. I committed myself to learning how to create smart contracts, run blockchain nodes, and understand the intricacies of decentralized finance. Through courses and hands-on projects, I transformed my skill set, aligning it with the forefront of technology. It was a journey from unaware to skilled, highlighting the importance of identifying your professional gaps and actively seeking to fill them. The lesson? Know your current standing, envision your future potential, and ardently pursue the knowledge to connect the two.

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2 Explore your options

When you have a list of skills or topics to learn, you can explore the different options available to you. Depending on your budget, time, and learning style, you can select from a variety of resources. For example, online courses on platforms such as Coursera and edX provide certificates or credits that you can add to your resume or portfolio. If you prefer to learn from reading, you can find books and articles online or subscribe to magazines, newsletters, or blogs that focus on your area of interest. Additionally, podcasts and videos on platforms like Spotify and YouTube offer interviews, tutorials, or discussions on IT topics. Furthermore, webinars and workshops on Eventbrite or Meetup provide live or recorded sessions with experts and other learners.

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3 Evaluate the quality

In order to ensure the quality of resources you use, it is important to evaluate them beforehand. You can use the criteria of authority, accuracy, currency, and coverage to judge the quality of a resource. Authority refers to the credentials, qualifications, and experience of the author or creator in the IT field. Accuracy looks at the correctness and reliability of the information and if evidence or examples are provided. Currency checks whether the information is up-to-date and relevant. Coverage examines if the information is comprehensive and sufficient for your learning objectives. Additionally, it should offer additional resources or assessments to enhance your learning.

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David Wisniewski

Striving for the perfect balance between happiness and success...
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In my quest to master blockchain technology, I quickly learned the importance of vetting educational resources. Diving into smart contracts, I found a course touted by a well-known developer. However, I didn't stop there; I checked his background, ensuring his expertise and contributions to the blockchain community. The course's up-to-date content, comprehensive coverage, and practical assessments confirmed its quality. This rigorous evaluation process not only saved me from outdated information but also provided me with a rich, accurate, and practical learning experience, solidifying my understanding of complex blockchain concepts.

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4 Apply your learning

Learning is not only about acquiring information, but also about applying it to real-world situations. To maximize your upskilling efforts, you need to practice what you learn and demonstrate your skills. You can do this by creating projects or joining existing ones that relate to your IT interests, showcasing your projects and certificates in a portfolio, connecting with other IT professionals, and mentoring others who are also looking to upskill in IT. Platforms such as GitHub, CodePen, Kaggle, LinkedIn, Behance, WordPress, Twitter, Reddit, Stack Overflow, MentorCruise, Codecademy, and Udacity can help you find or offer these opportunities. Upskilling in IT can be difficult but rewarding; with the right resources you can enhance your skills and stay competitive in the IT field.

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David Wisniewski

Striving for the perfect balance between happiness and success...
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Venturing into blockchain, I aimed to practically apply my skills. I noticed a need for a smart contract that allowed for more comprehensive digital item swaps. Developing this wasn't about creating something entirely new but enhancing existing functionalities with additional features. I shared the project as open-source and deployed the smart contracts anonymously, showcasing my technical skills and problem-solving capabilities. This move not only highlighted my abilities but also emphasized the importance of community contribution and the real-world application of IT knowledge.

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5 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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David Wisniewski

Striving for the perfect balance between happiness and success...
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In my blockchain upskilling journey, the value of community on platforms like Discord was unparalleled. Joining groups connected me with both peers and experts, fostering a collaborative learning environment. A breakthrough came when a Discord chat helped refine my smart contract code, illustrating the impact of shared knowledge. This experience underscored that learning extends beyond formal education to include community engagement, proving crucial for growth in the IT field.

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You’re looking to upskill in your IT career. How can you find the right resources?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Assess your goals and gaps

2 Explore your options

3 Evaluate the quality

4 Apply your learning

5 Here’s what else to consider

Information Technology

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You’re looking to upskill in your IT career. How can you find the right resources?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Assess your goals and gaps

2 Explore your options

3 Evaluate the quality

4 Apply your learning

5 Here’s what else to consider

Information Technology

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