Technology has been moving more and more to the core of all industries over the last few years. This pandemic has accelerated the pace of this technology adoption. As consumers we have started to expect a faster, more personalised service that is available all the time – 24/7. [1]
This pandemic has increased the adoption of e-shopping and e-payment services multifold, and in order to meet this shifting customer preferences, businesses are undertaking massive digital transformation projects to move more and more of their services online. All this transformation is primarily being enabled by technologies like cloud, hybrid cloud, AI, blockchain, automation etc. [2]
These new age technologies are flexible, agile, secure, scalable, and more resilient for fast-paced transformation and adaptability.
McKinsey stated we will have a 10X surge in technological advancements that will accelerate the economic growth, and also states that “next decade we will experience more progress than the past 100 years”, which is becoming true today.
Deloitte shared – “In 2023, the tech industry will likely continue to grapple with issues around supply chains, workforce, and innovation.
A major challenge now for tech companies is how to weather a potential economic slowdown by trimming costs, increasing efficiency, and growing revenues [3]. At the same time, many are likely looking for ways to remain innovative and build a strong competitive position for the future”.
So, what does this mean to me? Where do I focus?
The opportunities today are immense and to mention a few areas that you can focus on, since more and more of the IT infrastructure is becoming “as a code”.
Software development and coding are becoming hot skills that are needed.
Even for those that may not be in the Computer Science Engineering but knowing coding and understanding how Information technology works becomes critical success factor in their career.
Even for the non-technical students knowing the usage of technology is a key skill.
Automation, using AI is becoming more and more common as well. Anything that is repetitive can now be automated [4].
This frees up human mind to be applied to more creative and innovative activities that challenges its capacity.
Skills that are becoming more and more relevant now are:
- Technologies like multi cloud proficiency, AI & ML, cyber security, CI/CD and Automation etc. are key technical skills needed for IT professionals.
- Knowing DevOps and agile methods of development etc. are also key skills.
- As more and more features that used to be hard-coded into hardware or firmware is now moved into software code, coding skills and coding mindset is also a great skill to have.
- AR (Augmented Reality) – create, use AR, (AR Core, 15 AR apps)
- Cloud Computing – Azure, AWS, Google
- Data Analytics – 28% by 2026 (Data science jobs)
- Block Chain technology - understand technology – how to build these smart contracts.
Build your core skills in:
- Linux – The world runs on Linux (ML, AI, Cloud, Networking)
- Base programming Language
- Networking – Understanding as a foundational skill.
- Cloud
- Virtualization – Container, Docker, Kubernetes
One things is, irrespective of what changes, there is one habit we all must cultivate is to be a student throughout your life. It can be difficult to find the time to learn when you feel busy, even when you've got paid learning time [5]. Carve out the time, keep it sacred, and make learning a new skill every quarter (no matter what it is) one of your resolutions!
So to make it successful, few things you must consider and make it a part of your routine:
- Continuous Learning – Learn to unlearn and re learn
- GET Industry-ready – Know what’s happening around in your industry read up analysts’ reports – Forbes, McKinsey, Delloitte
- Look for mentors – Make sure you have more than one mentor. Mentorship must be more wide and not experience based alone. They must be deep in knowledge too to guide on the relevant subject and look for mentors who are living the change.
- Face challenges head on – Go out of comfort zone to take on new challenging roles. Remember taking challenges are the fastest way to learn.
- Spend time on things that will yield better results. Learn new skills etc.
- Enjoy Opposition and feedback – Thrive in it, don’t resist it. They are happening to you for a reason, look for what you missed, what you can do better and learn from it.
- Don’t romanticise problems to feel successful – All successful people not necessarily had to play victim to a situation / had huge problems to overcome and get inspired. They just accepted life as it came, it’s an art to accept yourself to start with, to accept the situation you are in and mauver without with absolute clarity for larger good.
- Be an Ally and learn to brand your work – What you do, who you are, what your learnings are, share your knowledge. Mentor, coach, be the band for yourself. You will never know who you will end up inspiring. It’s not enough if you come up with an idea, it's equally important you collaborate, share, and promote it properly. making sure that knowledge can reach as many people as possible.
Above all, I want each one of you become ANTIFRAGILE, this is more than being Robust/having a growth mind set. It means that something does not merely withstand a shock but improves because of it.
It’s like how wind extinguishes a candle and energises fire.
Likewise randomness, uncertainty, chaos you want to use them and not hide from them. You want to be the fire and wish for the wind.
You just don’t want to survive the uncertainty but thrive in making it work for you in the most creative way.
Just understand that a disruption is needed for growth, you cannot avoid it or be constructively risk averse. You have to use it to make it work for you.
Sharing a few books I always recommend do take a look and read them if you can:
Industry Trends:
Deloitte - https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/technology-media-and-telecommunications/articles/technology-industry-outlook.html
McKinsey - https://www.mckinsey.com/about-us/new-at-mckinsey-blog
References:
- https://www.womentech.net/speaker/Hima/Bindu/69359
- https://www.womentech.net/speaker/Hima/Bindu/69359
- https://www.deloitte.com/global/en/Industries/tmt/perspectives/technology-industry-outlook.html
- https://theinterviewportal.com/2022/02/04/global-enablement-communications-professional-interview/
- https://www.pluralsight.com/blog/teams/top-tech-skills-2023
About the Author
Hima Bindu is the Associate Director Global Engineering and Adoption at Kyndryl Consult, Kyndryl by profession, and a Philanthropist, D&EI Advocate, Avid Speaker, Mentor, STEM for Girls advocate, Writer by passion. Hima Bindu is also the Founder of a Non-Profit digital platform for digital literacy for underprivileged groups called Manahprasada.