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Marcos
Marcos

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Thoughts on common tech advice for career progression

Get Real-World Experience: Internships, freelancing, and contributing to real projects can provide valuable experience that you can't get through tutorials alone.

While practical experience is undoubtedly valuable, it is not the only path to growth in these fields.

One could argue that theoretical knowledge, continuous learning, and personal projects can also significantly contribute to one's growth in these roles. Engaging in research, taking online courses, participating in coding challenges, and working on personal projects can provide hands-on experience and help develop a deeper understanding of the core concepts. In some cases, personal projects can even demonstrate creativity, problem-solving skills, and a passion for the field, which are highly valued by employers.

Real-world experiences like internships, freelancing, and project contributions may not always align with an individual's interests or allow for the exploration of niche topics within data science or machine learning. Personal projects, on the other hand, offer the flexibility to work on diverse projects, experiment with new techniques, and showcase expertise in specific areas that traditional experiences may not cover.

to get a promotion, you need to work extra hours and at weekends if needed

While there may be a common perception that working extra hours and weekends is necessary to get a promotion in the tech industry, I would like to challenge this assumption.

Firstly, the quality of work and the impact you make are often more crucial factors in determining promotions rather than just the number of hours worked. Demonstrating efficiency, innovation, problem-solving skills, and leadership qualities can be equally, if not more, important for career advancement.

Secondly, prioritizing work-life balance and self-care is essential for long-term success and sustainability in any field, including tech. Burnout from consistently working extra hours can lead to decreased productivity, creativity, and overall job satisfaction, which may hinder career growth in the long run.

Additionally, companies that value their employees' well-being and promote a healthy work-life balance are increasingly recognized as more attractive workplaces. By focusing on productivity, effective time management, and setting clear boundaries, one can achieve career advancement without compromising their well-being.

I need to constantly brag about my deliveries - even small or minors - to get recognition in the team/company

While there is a common belief that constantly boasting about your achievements, no matter how small, is necessary to gain recognition in a team or company, I would like to offer a different perspective.

Constantly bragging about your accomplishments, especially minor ones, may come across as self-centered or seeking validation rather than genuine recognition. It can create a negative perception among colleagues and may even lead to resentment or a lack of cooperation within the team.

Instead of focusing on self-promotion, a more effective approach to gaining recognition could be to let your work speak for itself. Consistently delivering high-quality results, actively participating in team projects, offering support to colleagues, and taking on challenging tasks can naturally showcase your skills and dedication.

Building strong relationships with your teammates and managers, seeking feedback to improve your performance, and demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow can also contribute to gaining recognition in a more meaningful and sustainable way.

you will only be successful in your career in tech if you develop your soft skills

While soft skills are undeniably important for success in a tech career, it would be an oversimplification to claim that they are the sole determining factor.

Technical skills and expertise in areas such as coding, problem-solving, data analysis, or machine learning are fundamental requirements for excelling in the tech industry. Without a solid foundation in these technical areas, even the most developed soft skills may not be sufficient to drive success in a tech career.

However, the integration of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence can significantly enhance one's effectiveness and impact in a tech role. These skills are essential for collaborating with colleagues, understanding user needs, presenting ideas effectively, and navigating complex projects.

In today's increasingly interconnected and dynamic work environments, the ability to communicate clearly, work well in teams, adapt to change, and solve problems creatively can differentiate a successful tech professional from others. Soft skills complement technical expertise and are often crucial in advancing one's career, building strong relationships, and driving innovation in the tech industry.

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