Key skills you’ll need in tech

SO, IS TECH FOR ME?

Key skills you’ll need in tech

XXX

There’s nothing quite like your first job to throw you in at the deep end and give you no choice but to sink or swim. Your degree would have furnished you with large amounts of theory and knowledge, some of which you’ll use and some of which you’ll forget as the years pass.

When you find yourself on the job, being asked to perform and deliver based on certain standards, expectations and timeframes, the learning curve will be steep and lasting.

The first hurdle, though, is to actually get hired! When employers look at prospective candidates, there are certain skills they value more than others. While some of those skills will obviously be technical, there are also valuable ‘soft skills’ that would go a long way towards getting you that dream job.

A word to the wise: don’t be fooled by underestimating the importance of those soft skills – you may be a rising star when it comes to coding, but if you can’t communicate well with your clients or work as a cohesive member of a team, you will not add value to the business. Top-notch soft skills can also lead to bigger and better opportunities.

TECHNICAL SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE Killer coding skills in more than one language

At most tech companies and in most technical roles, it’s expected that graduate employees will be proficient in at least one of the following: Java, HTML, CSS and C++. However, it’s best to think of these as the Romance languages of the tech world – most people ‘speak’ at least a little of each of them. Consider branching out into something more exotic like C# and Python or new Java frameworks like Ruby, React and AngularJS to capture the attention of potential employers.

Contribution to open-source projects or existing code bases

One of the best ways to show off your chops to prospective employers is by contributing to open-source projects or existing code bases. Sites like GitHub will host your coding projects, making it easy to share them as part of your graduate application. Alternatively (or even additionally), you can lend your skills to the development of open-source programs like Mozilla Firefox, Linux or LibreOffice.

Firm understanding of systems architecture

‘Full stack developer’ is a phrase that you’ll undoubtedly come across as you peruse job descriptions. It describes a tech professional who is equally comfortable working with back- and front-end technologies, including both hardware and software. As a graduate, it’s unlikely that you’ll be expected to demonstrate this degree of end-to-end expertise. However, by taking courses in systems architecture or mastering things like database management, you can show your commitment to mastering the role in due time.

Big-Data analysis skills

The future of tech is data: how to collect it (such as via the Internet of Things), how to aggregate it on platforms like an SQL server and, most importantly, how to analyse it to generate actionable insights. By enrolling in data analysis courses or familiarising yourself with tools like R, Tableau or Google Analytics, you can impress prospective employers with your dedication to developing this vital skill.

Project management skills

Strictly speaking, this isn’t a technical skill, but even the most accomplished coder wouldn’t achieve a lot without it. The graduates who get hired by reputable tech companies tend to be those who can see projects through from inception to completion. If this is a string you’d like to add to your bow, consider enrolling in project management courses or contributing to tech initiatives, where you can mention during interviews or on applications. It’s a sure way to stand out from the crowd.

Technical writing

Even if you end up working in a technical role, you may be working with other nontechnical teams or stakeholders. The ability to ‘translate’ complex technical jargon into layman’s terms is a much

sought-after skill in the tech arena. You might have to tap into this skill across many different scenarios like corresponding with clients, writing up press releases, web content or manuals, so it is one that will help you to stand out as a great job candidate.

SOFT SKILLS Adaptability

Graduates will struggle to survive in a space where the only constant is change if they only know how to code but don’t know how to modify their approach when they encounter a new project management methodology, or they can build a tool in Java but can’t scale their efforts to suit a short release cycle. Adapting to shifting priorities and being flexible with how you work is key in this field, as each project and product will be different. This skill will make you stand out particularly if you choose to work at a startup, which is known for being highly dynamic.

Curiosity

Wanting to know how everything works will keep your mind sharp and your ideas compelling. Having a compulsion to break things down only to put them back together in a more efficient way will give you a deeper understanding of a concept, process or product that will allow you to refine further until you reach a razorsharp end state.

Enthusiasm

This is the most exciting time to be alive when it comes to the tech industry. You will be working on the frontlines, helping the world as it navigates through the

IMC graduates having a discussion

A day in the life of Nev Ramadan (right), IMC’s options strategy development team lead

digital revolution. The work you do today may completely revolutionise how people or businesses interact with their environment. Do you remember how we kept in touch before Skype or Facebook or Whatsapp? Imagine when physical libraries were the main source of information before the explosion of search engines like Yahoo and Google. Technology changed all of that and will continue to change so much more in the future. If that’s not exciting to you, you probably shouldn’t be considering a tech career!

Creative thinking and problem solving

Technology is born out of creativity. This is one field where ideas and imagination will never be ignored or given less priority. Your employers will actively encourage you to think out of the box and look at problems differently to find creative solutions. Complacency in technology is pretty much unacceptable because a tech company becomes obsolete once it stops innovating. Do whatever you can to keep your mind thinking of new ways. Volunteer with a tech initiative in your community, enter a technology competition or see if you can apply your technical skills to a current hobby. These will show your future employer that you are constantly looking at ways to apply your skills creatively and usefully—a sure-fire way to set yourself apart.