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What are some important skills you need to work in the tech industry?
#technology #programming #engineering
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11 answers
Katrina Honer
Career Coach, Employer Branding & Recruitment Marketing Program Specialist
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Katrina’s Answer
Hi Jiarong!
There are a plethora of skills that are valuable in the tech industry; it does depend on what field you're looking to get into. I see you used the hashtags programming and engineering so some helpful technical skills are being familiar with different programming/coding languages (CS, Java, and more) if you are looking to physically build or create products/apps.
On the data or business side of the house, data visualization, analytics, product management, and project management skills are also important to have.
I work on the recruitment marketing side of the fence in tech and my day-to-day consists of utilizing project management skills, design, and social media.
And of course, interpersonal skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution, and negogitation are equally important for all roles and careers since you'll almost always be working with others.
Consider/research what kinds of technical roles and careers you are interested.
Compare what core skills are necessary for those roles and careers.
There are a plethora of skills that are valuable in the tech industry; it does depend on what field you're looking to get into. I see you used the hashtags programming and engineering so some helpful technical skills are being familiar with different programming/coding languages (CS, Java, and more) if you are looking to physically build or create products/apps.
On the data or business side of the house, data visualization, analytics, product management, and project management skills are also important to have.
I work on the recruitment marketing side of the fence in tech and my day-to-day consists of utilizing project management skills, design, and social media.
And of course, interpersonal skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution, and negogitation are equally important for all roles and careers since you'll almost always be working with others.
Katrina recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Andrea’s Answer
Hi Jiarong!
Along with the advice already given , you have to be prepared to move at hyperspeed! The Tech industry is always changing therefore you must be adaptable and able to make things work on the fly. From my experience, expectations are high in the tech world so make sure you are also putting your best work forward!
Along with the advice already given , you have to be prepared to move at hyperspeed! The Tech industry is always changing therefore you must be adaptable and able to make things work on the fly. From my experience, expectations are high in the tech world so make sure you are also putting your best work forward!
Updated
Sukhminder’s Answer
You must be a generalist first before you become a Specialist. A few skillsets I would recommend are:
1. Problem solving - You must be able to understand it well.
2. Update yourself on regular basis- Keep up with the latest technologies
3. Debugging - If you really want to be the specialists of your field
4. Customer centric visualization: Customer is always
5. Understand market perspectives: where things are going.
6. Keep the presence of mind even when under stress.
Thanks!
1. Problem solving - You must be able to understand it well.
2. Update yourself on regular basis- Keep up with the latest technologies
3. Debugging - If you really want to be the specialists of your field
4. Customer centric visualization: Customer is always
5. Understand market perspectives: where things are going.
6. Keep the presence of mind even when under stress.
Thanks!
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Jiarong, this is a great question! I think it depends whether you are looking at technical or non-technical roles and whether you're interested in a super tactical answer or a high level answer.
At the high level, for non-technical roles, communications, specifically the ability to translate complex situations/technical context to a customer, to the company leadership, or to colleagues, and the ability to get buy-in from the cross-functional stakeholders you work with on a project, is probably one of the most important practical skillsets to succeed and to work in the "tech industry."
If by "tech industry," you also have in mind high growth opportunities at startups or companies that move at a fast pace, growth mindset accompanied by a certain amount of pain tolerance, resilience, and ability to take feedback are important traits you'll want to start harnessing. An ability to roll through obstacles, and maintain focus, while not letting things get to you too personally is essential especially in a fast-paced environment when things can feel overwhelming at first.
Hope this is helpful as you explore further into having a career in the tech industry!
At the high level, for non-technical roles, communications, specifically the ability to translate complex situations/technical context to a customer, to the company leadership, or to colleagues, and the ability to get buy-in from the cross-functional stakeholders you work with on a project, is probably one of the most important practical skillsets to succeed and to work in the "tech industry."
If by "tech industry," you also have in mind high growth opportunities at startups or companies that move at a fast pace, growth mindset accompanied by a certain amount of pain tolerance, resilience, and ability to take feedback are important traits you'll want to start harnessing. An ability to roll through obstacles, and maintain focus, while not letting things get to you too personally is essential especially in a fast-paced environment when things can feel overwhelming at first.
Hope this is helpful as you explore further into having a career in the tech industry!
Updated
Anne’s Answer
There are several kinds of roles you can have in the tech industry, you don't have to write code all day to get a job in the industry (though that is what I do :) )
Here are a few options:
- Software Engineer
Responsibilities: Writes code to complete a business need. Helps plan out and build a system that is efficient, scalable, and does what is needed. Often specialized based on the specific technologies they work with (frontend engineers make web interfaces, mobile engineers make phone apps, backend engineers make server-side code that can power a web or phone app, data engineers process aggregate data gathered via apps, etc)
Skills:
- Communication with other engineers and with product and design
- Technical skills (programming language proficiency, SQL/databases, cloud technologies, etc)
- As mentioned in other answers, the ability to find out about new technologies is a great skill to have
- One underrated skill for a new engineer is knowing when you're stuck/when you need to ask for help (as well as knowing when you can figure it out on your own)
- Product Manager
Responsibilities: Determines business needs and how to solve them. Creates a plan for what the product will do and look like (which is then implemented by designers and engineers.)
Skills:
- Analysis of the business and market and where you can add value; ability to work with metrics and data on an ad-hoc basis supporting that
- Communication with all stakeholders (explain to the people building the solution what problems need solving)
- User Experience Researcher/Designer
Responsibilities: Figure out how to solve the problems that the Product Manager has identified in a way that works for customers/users.
Skills:
- Wireframing or designing potential interfaces for the product; can use specialized tools or sometimes frontend web programming languages
- Conducting interviews with users (can involve walking through a potential interface together) and gathering data on which solutions worked the best / identifying additional things a solution could do and presenting results of user interviews to Product Mangager and engineers (communication skills)
There are also many types of business work that are not specific to the tech industry that could lead you to a job in the tech industry, such as accounting, HR and recruiting, workplace operations, and others.
Here are a few options:
- Software Engineer
Responsibilities: Writes code to complete a business need. Helps plan out and build a system that is efficient, scalable, and does what is needed. Often specialized based on the specific technologies they work with (frontend engineers make web interfaces, mobile engineers make phone apps, backend engineers make server-side code that can power a web or phone app, data engineers process aggregate data gathered via apps, etc)
Skills:
- Communication with other engineers and with product and design
- Technical skills (programming language proficiency, SQL/databases, cloud technologies, etc)
- As mentioned in other answers, the ability to find out about new technologies is a great skill to have
- One underrated skill for a new engineer is knowing when you're stuck/when you need to ask for help (as well as knowing when you can figure it out on your own)
- Product Manager
Responsibilities: Determines business needs and how to solve them. Creates a plan for what the product will do and look like (which is then implemented by designers and engineers.)
Skills:
- Analysis of the business and market and where you can add value; ability to work with metrics and data on an ad-hoc basis supporting that
- Communication with all stakeholders (explain to the people building the solution what problems need solving)
- User Experience Researcher/Designer
Responsibilities: Figure out how to solve the problems that the Product Manager has identified in a way that works for customers/users.
Skills:
- Wireframing or designing potential interfaces for the product; can use specialized tools or sometimes frontend web programming languages
- Conducting interviews with users (can involve walking through a potential interface together) and gathering data on which solutions worked the best / identifying additional things a solution could do and presenting results of user interviews to Product Mangager and engineers (communication skills)
There are also many types of business work that are not specific to the tech industry that could lead you to a job in the tech industry, such as accounting, HR and recruiting, workplace operations, and others.
Updated
Mahadev’s Answer
Few skillsets I would recommend are. 1. Problem solving 2. Keep up with the latest technologies 3. Debugging 4. customer centric visualization 5. Market perspectives
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hi Jiarong,
Assuming you would like a technical role in the tech industry, one important skill is the ability to problem solve. At times, some problems first appear to be far to overwhelming. Though if you work at breaking down the problem into smaller components, over time these complex problems can be solved.
Assuming you would like a technical role in the tech industry, one important skill is the ability to problem solve. At times, some problems first appear to be far to overwhelming. Though if you work at breaking down the problem into smaller components, over time these complex problems can be solved.
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
I echo the comments above and will add one more...you have to have a never ending thirst for knowledge in the field. As pointed out above, things move fast, and if you want to be at the front of the pack, you have to be constantly learning, no matter how many years you have in the industry. Use your analytical skills to figure out how to make your innovations come alive leveraging all the latest tech :) It's a fun industry to be in.
Updated
Bill’s Answer
Strong analytical skills are a must!
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Sergey’s Answer
There are alot of "Sub Categories" for an IT job
To get started ,I'll "throw" some skills which can be an advantage to any
"hands on" technical position in the IT world
basic computer networking principals such as :
- TCP / IP
- Network devices such as Hub / Switch / Router / Modem
- Communication types : Bluetooth , WIFI, NFC, LAN
Computer parts :
- Hard Drive (SATA , SSD, NVME)
- Memory
- Motherboard
- Network card
Operation Systems :
- Linux
- Windows
Virtualization Technologies and supported OS's :
- ESXi (VMware)
- Windows hypervisors
General idea of how the following technologies work :
Cloud ,Virtual machine
To get started ,I'll "throw" some skills which can be an advantage to any
"hands on" technical position in the IT world
basic computer networking principals such as :
- TCP / IP
- Network devices such as Hub / Switch / Router / Modem
- Communication types : Bluetooth , WIFI, NFC, LAN
Computer parts :
- Hard Drive (SATA , SSD, NVME)
- Memory
- Motherboard
- Network card
Operation Systems :
- Linux
- Windows
Virtualization Technologies and supported OS's :
- ESXi (VMware)
- Windows hypervisors
General idea of how the following technologies work :
Cloud ,Virtual machine
Updated
Luke’s Answer
Since it sounds like you might be interested in engineering/development specifically, I would say that in addition to the obvious (programming languages, data querying, etc.) analytical skills are most important. Put another way, asking questions about the problem you are solving and finding ways to validate that what you are building will result in a the right outcome is how you will shine both in interviews and in your job. Particularly for interviews, if you can talk about how your past work or projects solved problems and not just that you were able to successfully build it, people will notice and remember you!
Other practical skills that are usually not required for jr engineers but can make you stand out:
project management - Jira, Asana, others
metrics/analytics - Google Analytics, BigQuery, DataDog, others
DevOps & infrastructure - get familiar with some cloud provider i.e. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, these are each huge areas where people spend years getting expertise but having basic knowledge spinning up virtual machines or deploying services in anyway will be helpful. If you really want to get ahead of the curve, start learning about containers and probably just take a Kubernetes intro class.
Other practical skills that are usually not required for jr engineers but can make you stand out:
project management - Jira, Asana, others
metrics/analytics - Google Analytics, BigQuery, DataDog, others
DevOps & infrastructure - get familiar with some cloud provider i.e. AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, these are each huge areas where people spend years getting expertise but having basic knowledge spinning up virtual machines or deploying services in anyway will be helpful. If you really want to get ahead of the curve, start learning about containers and probably just take a Kubernetes intro class.