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How to Stay Ahead in Tech with Simple Weekly Habits
Do you ever feel like the world of tech is ever-changing, and there is always a new trend to keep up with? One minute, you’re learning a new coding language, and the next, your friends on GitHub and LinkedIn are mastering a new tool. There is always something new in your colleague’s slack channel and it can be so easy to feel like you have already been left behind.
Only recently, I have found myself drowning in online training for work, like applying for Co-pilot licenses and trying to stay up to date with each update. I had barely wrapped my head around the newest implantation of AI tools at work before already feeling like I was behind again. If that is the same for you – you are not alone. We have all been there, and truthfully, I am sure it won’t be long until I find myself back in that position.
As part of the Code First Girls community, we always hear people – both internally and externally – asking “How do I keep up?” or “What happens if I get left behind?”. The pace of change in tech can feel so overwhelming, particularly as many of the women in CFG are mothers, full-time workers/full time students and many are even navigating a career switch! Here is the good news: staying up to date doesn’t have to mean burning out or knowing everything.
Staying current is about keeping a curious mindset and staying consistent with your research. Here are some of my top tips on how you can stay ahead, without losing the fun of it!
Why staying current matters
Technology is one of the most dynamic and future focused industries and each day, there are updates that impact technology, such as new AI tools or updates on how technology affects the environment and society.
Whether your job role is tech related, you are interested in switching, or just curious, staying up to date with tech can help you to:
- Stay adaptable and desirable in your career
- Spot new opportunities (and win them!)
- Build confidence in yourself to contribute
For me, staying up to date and more well informed about technology has made me feel empowered. It has built my confidence in everyday conversations, opened unexpected doors and opportunities, and has helped me to build a network with people who I otherwise may have been too shy to approach.
Simple weekly habits to help you stay ahead in tech
Carrying out small, regular habits can help you to keep yourself in the loop and grow your knowledge base at your own pace.
A few tips:
1) Curate 3–5 trusted sources
Follow a few trusted sources online that deliver infographics/bitesized updates on technology. My go-tos that I love:
- I am subscribed to the Code First Girls newsletter and I keep up to date more casually on instagram, LinkedIn or Tiktok @CodeFirstGirls.
- I love to listen to podcasts such as CodeNewbie and The Women in Tech Show (on Spotify/Apple Podcasts) on my commute to work, or whilst doing some housework
- Watching Youtube videos in your spare time or tune in to a CFG Tech Taster (a short learning course) that can be picked up in your own time and at no cost! I have completed two Tech Taster courses and have been able to keep up by just putting aside half an hour per week and building on my knowledge each time.
Tip: aim for 10–15 minutes, 3 times a week.
2) Engage with voices that matter to you
Engage with voices that matter to you! I love to follow inspiring women who are making big steps in the tech world, and I try to actively engage in online communities to help curate my algorithm to find people with similar interests.
3) Block tiny learning slots
Actively set aside learning time. If learning is something that you want to do, then set time aside to invest in yourself and your interests. Even just reading a 15-minute article at the end of the day or on your commute can make a huge difference.
If I start treating my learning time like a chore, it grates on me and starts to become a stressful activity. Now, I tend to just set aside a bit of time on a Sunday morning - even just 15 minutes over a coffee – to have a read of an article or watch a video.
You are not behind, you’re in motion
Finally, here is a reminder that a journey into the world of tech is going to be a lifelong journey. It is expanding at a rate that we cannot possibly keep up with, but isn’t that the fun of it?
My biggest difficulty with learning anything, is often the need for structure, or ‘ticking it off’ a to-do list and so, I personally found it hard to realise that there is no certain finish point in tech, which is why I have found small milestones to be so important.
For me, the best way to stay ahead, is to keep moving, just one step at a time.
If you ever fell that you are struggling, just reach out. Myself and the CFG ambassador team will be happy to help or guide on your tech journey!
Conclusion
Stay curious, don’t make it a chore.
Build small habits to learn continuously.
Use free resources which are at your disposal.
You don’t need to know everything, just show up for yourself.
If you want to share any top tips on how you can stay ahead in tech, tag @CodeFirstGirls on social media and keep building our community!
