As we look towards the new year, you’re probably thinking about your career, your goals, and what you’ve achieved thus far. Are you happy with what you’ve achieved? Or are you looking to use this upcoming year to make your dreams come true? No matter what you relate more to right now, looking at professional development opportunities in tech is a great way to make sure you’re meeting your goals and making the most of what tech has to offer.
2024 is going to bring a lot of innovation–after all, just a year ago, ChatGPT was about to wow us with its way of mimicking human-like expressions and wording. Today, however, we’ve reached a point where we’re using it to check grammar, tell us jokes, and even generate completely new text.
To ensure you’re ready for the challenge and set to advance your career, taking the time to identify any goals and actions you can take to reach said goals can be a fantastic way to start off the year right. We’ve created a helpful guide just for you to help you map out your professional development over the next few years and ensure that they become a reality.
Career Advancement in 2024
You know that the tech field is constantly advancing and new tools and technologies are being released constantly. And while some employers choose to upskill or reskill their employees, others are looking for their workers to boast specific skills, meaning you need to be in control of both your personal and professional growth.
To keep up with the tech world, ensure you:
Welcome new technologies: everyone has that one tool they love and are dreading the day that a new update or version is released. However, staying up to date with the most recent versions of tools can help you both better complete your responsibilities and enhance your resume so that both prospective employers and your current one see your value and what you bring to the table.
Learn, learn, and learn: your learning journey doesn’t stop once you’ve landed a job or have been in the field for a while; as you know, tech is advancing incredibly fast and employers are looking for employees who know how to use the latest technologies, regardless of their sector experience. To make yourself a competitive candidate in the hiring process, you need to commit to continuous learning.
Network: lots of people land jobs because of connections they’ve made in their education or in the workforce; remember that your networking potential isn’t limited to just when you’re actively searching for a job. You can network at any point in your career and nourish these connections to help you land a job in the future; you never know when a connection might give you the push you need.
Create your personal brand: with so many applicants for a single role, hiring managers want to know what you and you alone can bring to a specific role. What makes you unique? Why should they hire you? Cultivating a personal brand that reflects your values, personality, and skills can help convince hiring managers to take a chance on you.
Advancing in the Professional Tech World in 2024
As a professional looking to advance in 2024, there are certain steps you’ll have to take to ensure that you’re ready for any challenge that might arise. In the near future, we can expect to see the following trends emerge in the workplace.
An increase in flexibility
The pandemic taught us that remote work is not only possible, but also a way to include entirely new groups of people that otherwise would not be able to apply for the role. Some companies are focusing on returning full-time to office, it’s true, but there’s still a great percentage of companies that are embracing fully remote or hybrid solutions, letting employees find the combination that works best for them.
In 2024, we can expect to see companies solidify their remote/hybrid policies and more workers moving towards companies that favor this flexibility.
A tech-centered workplace
Gone are the days when tech is only for the IT guys and those who write code all day. As tech becomes increasingly important and prevalent in practically every industry, we’ll see that reflected in the tech skills that all employees are expected to have, not just those who specifically work in tech. After all, if everyone is using tech, shouldn’t everyone have some tech skills?
In the coming year, workers across all fields should expect to finetune their digital skills and ensure their digital literacy is up to par.
An AI-focused approach
Artificial intelligence has advanced to a point where AI tools are able to automate repetitive or annoying tasks, freeing up time for tasks where their human capabilities are needed. In addition, AI-powered automation removes human error and is more efficient. Companies that prioritize AI tools in their day-to-day will benefit from better productivity and employee satisfaction.
2024 will lead to more and more companies adopting artificial intelligence tools and, as a result, more AI-skilled workers needed.
A more diverse workforce
As an effect of the increased flexibility that almost every sector is welcoming, diversity and inclusion efforts across the board will improve, leading to more opportunities for every single group, not just those with access to high-level education or live in big cities. Generally speaking, focusing on diversity means that companies will be more relaxed with in-office requirements, not demand university degrees, and understand that people have lives and responsibilities outside of the workplace.
In 2024, we can expect to see more and more workers prioritizing diverse and inclusive workplaces, favoring those who honor these commitments.
No matter what you choose, tech has something for you. And with practically limitless room for growth, the tech sector and professional development go hand in hand. If you’re ready to get your foot in the door and start your tech career, or simply reach the next level of your career, an Ironhack Bootcamp can help teach you exactly what you need to know to reach success.
