Although a transferable skill set is one of the most important things you should build before you join the workforce, that isn’t to say that technical skills aren’t essential. With career talks and career coaches often putting more emphasis on soft skills, it’s not surprising that these IT-related technical skills are generally not given priority, especially when you’re not in the industry.
However, with technology now playing such a vital and pivotal role in every aspect of almost every industry, you should consider picking up these skills, even at its most basic level.
Coding
Today, coding is almost as important as literacy. While you do not need to be able to actually code, employers have shown a marked preference for graduates who have an awareness of what goes on in the backends of applications and websites.
Computational thinking
Computational thinking – or programmatic thinking – is often thought to have robust links to the IT sector, and this methodical and logical way of thinking is becoming increasingly common in non-IT fields, such as marketing and advertising. You can pick this skill up by viewing issues in a tactical, structured and organised manner.
An example of this method of thinking is to jot down all your concerns, separate them categorically and then think of ways to solve them as soon as possible. After the issue has been resolved, gather data on the most effective and efficient methods that helped you realise your goal.
Data management and analytics
Big data is the colossal amount of data companies generate from their hardware, apps and websites to interpret and use. As this data is almost everywhere in this day and age, data management skills will be incredibly useful in this area, and can give you an edge over the competition.
Data visualisation
Data visualisation necessitates a solid understanding of a number of things, from the details of the data you are trying to pass on to how the target audience would consume this information, and which visual would comply best with its purpose.
User experience
User experience, or UX, is far more than making sure a product is palatable to the eye. It also requires a strong grasp of a company’s brand, aesthetics and usability, along with an awareness of current concepts and trends.
If these skills are not of crucial importance to your role at work, there is no need to spend too much time or money on it. You can start with the many free courses and readings available online for you to spend some time everyday learning a new skill. Just take the first step and you will eventually pick them up!