Billionaire investor Peter Thiel, the co-founder of PayPal, believes technology is the art of working miracles. Thiel’s call to action is, if we are going to change the world for the better, then we are going to need a lot of miracles.
Today there is no shortage of choices and paths for anyone looking to get involved in tech. But the question is, how do you decide what is right for you? No one can choose for you. Only you can do that for yourself. However, if you can identify what you are good at and what you like to do, then you are already halfway there. Here are a few questions that can help narrow down the right field for you.
Is it something you genuinely want to do? This is a simple question but an important one. Are you willing to do complex, meaningful, and challenge work for something you truly care about? Or are you driven by a desire to earn more? There is nothing wrong with either but being with yourself honest can help define your overarching motives for choosing your career path.
Do you work best alone or in groups? Tech professions come in all shapes and sizes. While some fields demand more teamwork, others are best performed on their own. On the one hand, for example, a scrum master excels in a team environment. On the other, a web developer might work best alone through intense periods of concentration, executing tasks demanded from others. Find your working style and use it to your advantage.
Are you a hedgehog or a fox? The question is based on an Ancient Greek tale, but it refers to defining your cognitive style. A hedgehog, for example, focuses on big ideas and is usually good with language, making it ideal for leadership roles. Foxes, on the other hand, embrace uncertainty and focus on prediction probability, suitable for handling highly specific roles. Decide which one is you to have a better understanding of your cognitive style in your desired career path
How technical do you want to be? As technology continues to evolve, choosing a digital career path entails continuous learning. Some jobs require a high degree of technical expertise (big data, IoT), while others are less technical but fulfill critical organizational needs (digital marketing). Be honest and decide what you are best at.
Answering these questions will give you a better perspective of what career path is best for you. There are no wrong answers except not being honest with yourself. There is no shortage of opportunities for pursuing a digital career path. If you had to start from scratch today, which career path would you choose?