When you’re starting out in your career, it’s easy to become preoccupied with what route you should take to ensure you’re both maximizing your long term potential and your immediate employment opportunities.
And while recent graduates might think focussing on an emerging technology, such as AI, is the best route to take to tick the above boxes, keeping your skillset more general could be a better solution.
This is something Eddy Barker, an engineer at U.S. telecommunications company AT&T advocates—that focusing on one particular area in isolation can limit your development knowledge and as a consequence, the ability to innovate and solve complex technical problems.
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“Having a wide skillset, on the other hand, can give you more career flexibility and job security, especially if technology shifts or new opportunities arise in other areas of the business. If you’re passionate about cybersecurity, having skills in programming, application development, and network can enhance your value to your company,” Barker says.
“By diversifying your expertise, you create more opportunities for career advancement and adaptability. AT&T, for instance, encourages employees to explore various roles and projects to broaden their skillsets and enhance their career prospects.”
However, technical skills are just one piece of the puzzle and Barker also says that honing soft skills is key: “Soft skills have never been more important. Effective communication, collaboration, empathy, and adaptability are becoming table stakes for career success. Soft skills such as creativity, organization, respect, and a strong work ethic are essential for building strong working relationships, and learning from more experienced colleagues.
“These interpersonal skills, combined with ongoing technical development, will help new employees meet and exceed expectations, leading to career success.”
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This correlates with data from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, which highlights the importance of soft skills including critical and analytical thinking, communication and resilience for workers, now and increasingly in the future as AI tools revolutionize the workplace and the way we work.
“For entry-level workers, AI tools can significantly enhance productivity by automating routine tasks and allowing a greater focus on complex problem-solving and creative work,” Barker adds.
“AI can make programming more efficient, for instance, by reducing the emphasis on technical syntax and increasing focus on outcomes. Technologies like AI-enhanced digital twins can boost productivity and technical depth in ways previously unattainable. As AI continues to evolve, new opportunities will emerge that allow employees to develop new skills and become more efficient in their work.”
