How to Navigate IT Education and Your Career

Experts ExchangeThe Original Technology Community.
The original technology community.
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As technology is a constantly growing, evolving platform, there is an emphasis to stay tuned in to technological changes and the latest research. When you implement this into your weekly education, it will allow more opportunities to become available to you.
How can you take your IT education to the next level while still maintaining a full-time career? We highlight a few actionable steps and resources that can start you on the next stage in your IT journey today. 

Online courses 

There are many reasons to consider taking courses to further your information technology skills and knowledge online. To start, you can find online courses that fit your level of expertise. Consider taking a Cloud Class course in coding, web development, or IT security. Many topics offer both training in fundamentals and in more advanced skills. There are also a host of on-demand video tutorials you can use to see step-by-step instructions. Whatever your level of expertise may be, there’s content available to fit your needs.

Another great benefit of online courses is that you can watch at your own leisure and learn at your own pace. You can spend as much or as little time on your IT learning experience as you want. 

Do you want to apply your new education directly to your career? Many online IT courses have options for certification tracks, which is a great way to highlight your new experience without the cost of a new degree. 

Online classes are flexible, affordable, and easily tailored to your interests, so they can be hugely beneficial to your continuing IT education. They’ll also help you determine if you want to pursue a more formal education, so you can decide what next steps to take in your education and career.   

Follow influential leaders and news online   

In addition to more traditional learning paths, it’s important to follow IT news and the influential leaders at the front of the pack on a regular basis. Since IT is changing all the time, it’s important to stay up to date on tech developments and the latest technologies coming out from movers and shakers. Keep refreshing your skills and learn new ones to stay competitive and relevant.

When you follow influential people on Twitter or profiles in the news, you won’t just be getting updates on the types of technology coming out and evolving, but also the context surrounding them and their practical applications, potential future, and more. 

This makes suggesting changes or updates to tech within your company more feasible, as you’re able to present evidence to back up your suggestions and help your company keep pace with developments in the marketplace. Some people to begin with are journalist and founder of Recode Kara Swisher and Canva chief evangelist Guy Kawasaki.

Engage with other IT professionals  

Sometimes the best way to learn is to speak to the experts themselves. If you are already part of the IT team, discuss new ideas with members of your team. Bounce your ideas off them. Learn about challenges they’ve encountered and don’t be afraid to ask questions. 

This will give you a better sense of common IT challenges that come up in your field. By tapping into these specific issues, you can hone in on developing skills relevant to your current career. This will give you a leg-up when someone in the organization has an IT challenge they need addressed.   

With Experts Exchange®, you can stay up to date on tech by learning from Certified Experts and collaborating with fellow IT professionals. Solve problems alongside Citrix Technology Professionals and Microsoft MVPs. Our collaborative platform allows you to network, share your experiences, and ask for advice as you work toward the next step in your career.  

Experiment with programs and applications you already have   

There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of trial and error. On your device and through online programs, you have access to many unique and versatile applications, some of which can really come in handy in your career. Consider exploring their options and capabilities on your own, and you might be surprised at what you find. 

You need the tools to experiment — and fail — in a safe environment. From there, you’ll be able to determine what went wrong and what went right for the future. The ability to understand errors and correct them with ease is the foundation for success in the IT field.   

Expand your network  

In addition to following some of the important changemakers in the industry online, you’ll also want to start developing your own network. Join online seminars and speeches with available chat options and forums, or consider signing up for local IT events, many of which are very affordable or even free.   

When you have your ow n network of IT resources, you provide a valuable benefit to your company. You’ll be able to offer the answers they need or access them easily if you don’t know them yourself. The more people in your network, the more information you’ll be exposed to and be able to learn from.  You can easily grow your network when you join Experts Exchange and get to know our technology community. 

Establish go-to resources   

Find the resources that work for you. Everyone learns differently. That’s why it’s important to start creating your own library of useful information, guidelines, tips, hints, and explanations. Maybe you prefer multimedia. Save your favorite videos on subjects you’re learning. If print is a more effective medium for you, order a copy of that book you keep referring to. 

Your resource library will develop organically as you take classes, meet new people in the field, and attend IT-related events and seminars. Don’t be afraid to write down your own notes either. Write down helpful information and your thoughts/responses as you learn and store it someplace you can return to with ease.

Bookmark any resources you discover along the way. Experts Exchange offers a library of resources that make it easy to learn more about IT at every stage of your journey. You can take your career to the next level with modern communication, technology, and information skills. Explore EE to find your favorite new resources today.  

Information technology is a growing field and requires adaptability, drive, as well as resourcefulness. Once you establish yourself as a person your team can rely on for IT expertise and help, you’ll have lots of great opportunities to further your career.   

Pursue information with Experts Exchange

It can be challenging to stay relevant in the modern workforce with the ever-changing tide of information and technology, which is why it’s important to learn more about your industry and find opportunities to utilize new skills and areas of expertise.

Engage with our global network of vetted subject-matter experts and access on-demand courses, videos, and a library of articles to expand your knowledge. Join Experts Exchange today.

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