How to grow your technical skills

Technology evolves with each passing day; this makes it essential to move with the current trends and gain new skills. The internet is broad and there are diverse resources that you can access to be a level ahead. This will be for your benefit, easy mastery of things, and innovation.

How?

For starters, read technical books, easy right? Well, I won’t spice it up and say that they are interesting to read, I’d be lying. However, if you have the passion, I am sure they will be interesting to you. Nowadays, there are pdf’s everywhere, and you don’t really need a hard copy book. No excuses! 🙂

In addition, read online tutorials according to your preference and with deeper knowledge, you will be more focused on what you want. They are accessible, timely and most are free. Also, if you have a friend who is into technology, I won’t say a geek, try and get advice from them, learn how they do it and at the end of the day you will know what niche to follow.

Subscribe to technical magazines such as Smashing Magazine for developers and designers. Take classes if you want to specialize 100% in it. Also, embrace a variety of software, build your own website, and learn to program. Furthermore, once you acquire all this knowledge you need to learn the best small business marketing strategies for prosperity.

Let’s dwell into some resources:

1) IBM digital

There are many tech skills you can gain from here, ranging from coding, web application, design thinking, cloud, artificial intelligence, blockchain, internet of things, data science and analytics, cybersecurity, quantum computing, DevOps and professional skills, API’s and microservices, containers, and Kubernetes.

An amazing thing about the IBM platform is that you can decide to be self-paced and learn from any path you choose from. All you need to do is log in, follow the verification process and start learning. Just be sure of what you want to learn or you will end up being clumsy and try learning everything and achieve nothing at the end. We both wouldn’t want that :(.

2) Microsoft Office

I know with the mention of Microsoft Office apps, you will assume” you know everything”. However, at the office training center, you can learn more tricks and tips on the use of various Microsoft applications. If you have older versions of Microsoft Office (2010 and below), you might need to upgrade to try out some functions. All the same, you need to dive into this and learn more about how to make life easier while using the various apps.

Do you find it hard to keep track of your notes? Try Microsoft OneNote
Do you find it hard to make presentations? Try Microsoft Powerpoint

Ranging from Access, Delve, Excel, Forms, Kaizala, Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook, Planner, Powerpoint, Project, Publisher, Sharepoint, Skype for business, Stream, Sway, To-do, Visio, Word, Whiteboard, Yammer.

Technology has made life easier, there is an application for all your needs, don’t be left out!

3) Cybrary

Are you interested in learning about cybersecurity? Cybrary will do the trick, it is an online platform that provides skills in cybersecurity, IT, Cloud, Data Science, and DevSecOps. Through it, you will learn real-world concepts that will help you build and secure your information and platforms online. There are many malicious attacks that can really mess you up.

You better be on the safe side and know how to outsmart the hackers. In addition to the training, there are assessments and certifications according to your path of choice.

4) W3schools

Would you want to learn some coding skills? W3schools has got you covered! It is also available in an offline version and even if you don’t have the internet, you can still learn, but some functions may not work. However, the essential content is always available.

Ranging from HTML, CSS, Javascript, Jquery, React, Angularjs, JSON, Ajax, SQL, PHP, ASP, Node.js, Raspberry Pi, Python, Java, C language, C++, Machine Learning, and XML.

Be assured that at the end of your training you will be a pro, but you will need to equip yourself with other resources to make things easier and faster.

5) Udacity 

Udacity is marvelous! I had to say that. If you are a tech lover, you should make it your best friend. Like literally make it.

You can explore the wide variety of courses they offer in various schools: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Programming, Autonomous systems, Cloud computing, and Business

Some of the courses are free, while some are paid. However, it’s all worth it, you won’t feel the pinch of having gained worldwide skills that will make you develop, create exciting stuff and be on your perfect level.

6) Squarespace, Wix (Website builders)

Well, let’s say you want a website, but you really ain’t into coding, and you just want something simple. Squarespace and Wix are here for you. They are amazing website builders with ready-made templates and all you have to do is just sign in, follow the procedure, and you will have your website up and running within no time. They are amazing and I would highly recommend them.

However, if you just want a simple blog or something, I would suggest you opt for WordPress. It is awesome, easy to install, and it will be up and running within no time. However, there is a catch, you need to host it, do all the manual work, but be guaranteed it’s not tiresome. It is easy, however, if you want the perfect thing, you have to invest in WordPress web development. Here is a guideline on how to use WordPress.

7) Smashing Magazine

Designers, designers, designers! This is definitely for you! Well, Smashing Magazine has been in existence for long and provides tech news that will never disappoint. Just imagine you can browse articles on all these topics under one roof. It is essential if you want to know how to combine colors, color rules, and all other design essentials.

Android, Animation, Apps, CSS, Design, E-Commerce, freebies, graphics, HTML, Illustrator, Inspiration, IOS, Javascript, Photoshop, Responsive web design, React, Mobile, Service workers, User Experience, UI, Sketch, Wallpapers, WordPress, Workflow and much more.

The articles are like tutorials where you are practically shown on how to twitch and twist this and that. It’s just amazing, some things you may never get on all the online teaching sites, but at Smashing Magazine trust me, you will be a design pro. Free!

8) LinkedIn Learning

I believe that Linkedin is familiar to you, oh yes! It is a professional site, and if you haven’t signed up for it you are missing out on a lot. Anyway, there is Linkedin learning, where you can gain a variety of skills ranging from business, technology, and creativity. However, there is a catch, yes, there is the free version, (one month only), then there is the paid version. It is pocket friendly, though, and you will learn a lot from it. So value for your money!

9) Codecademy

Just like Udacity and w3schools, on code academy, you can also learn about various programming languages, web development, mobile development, design, Data science, and game development. When you explore, you will find other courses that I might have left out.

10) Reading materials

PDF Drive

Are you a book lover?
You might probably have a book in mind that you would want to read. You can browse through the variety of book categories and find the kind of inspiration that you need. However, you might end up not finding all the books you need, but you will get 1 or 2 that will excite you. Oh! And they all come in a PDF format so no worries about reading.

Medium

Medium is an amazing platform where you can gain knowledge through articles. It ranges from true stories, technology news, entrepreneurship, lifestyles, culture, programming, business, food, relationships, etc. Any topic you might have in mind. If you are a writer, you can even be an author and publish all you wish to publish and it will be visible worldwide.

Also, have a look at the most common code-teaching sites.

PS: You may click on the links to go to the sites.

Conclusion

I can assure you, that all these resources are essential, they worked for me and I believe they can for you too. You don’t have to use all of them, just some of them. At the end of the day, you will be more skillful. Just choose the path you want to follow, commit yourself, make a timeline and say, by the time the week is over I should have done this. You will become more disciplined and gain many essential skills.

All the best in gaining technology skills and keeping up with emerging technology trends. Remember to research, research, research!

image courtesy: indeed