In the world of programming, technologies used five years ago are rarely relevant today. With new advancements in AI, data science, and other booming fields coming to market regularly, staying ahead of these changes can be challenging. Still, there are plenty of ways for you to keep up with technology news and updates, even if you’re not working in the field.
Here are some tips that will help you stay ahead of your friends and peers.
1) Keep an eye on industry publications
Many of the biggest technology publications use a follow-us-and-you’ll-be-kept-up-to-date model, so make sure to keep an eye on them. In addition, some of the bigger technology behemoths also have their own news outlets. Look for stories on features and services you can use at work and in your personal life. The more you learn about new releases, the better prepared you’ll be for them – both from a technical perspective as well as a professional one.
2) Utilize free training when available
With new releases and developments, larger organizations will often offer free training. For example, Pluralsight provides free React training on its website. This is a great way to fill in knowledge gaps and get your feet wet before you decide if it’s worth investing time and money into the technology.
3) Take a class at a local university
If free training isn’t an option for you, consider taking a course at your local university. The more in-depth classes on these topics are often available on master’s degree courses. Talk to your HR department or academic advisor to see what they recommend and whether or not the courses or degrees will be recognized by your employer. You may also be able to take advantage of education credit, which could help offset the cost of tuition.
4) Consider taking an online course
Online education is increasingly available for a variety of topics, and the idea behind how these courses are run is now quite distinct from the in-person classes. This can make it easier for you to find courses that work for you since you don’t have to worry about physical distance. In some cases, however, classes might be more expensive compared to standard classroom-style training.
5) Use industry-specific forums
If your company is actively developing or using a particular technology, there are often sites and groups set up specifically for that purpose that have a sizeable number of users within the community. This is an excellent way to expand your knowledge and interact with other professionals in your field.
6) Listen to podcasts
Podcasts are a great way for you to get up to speed on topics of interest. Whether you’re using them as a form of entertainment or finding that they can be helpful for professional reasons, there are plenty of podcasts on the topic of technology that you can subscribe to and listen to when you have the time. It’s also a great alternative if you find that books and courses are too dense or lengthy. Podcasts are generally easier reads since they tend to be more conversational in nature.
With these tools and methods in mind, you should have no trouble staying current with all things technology. So don’t worry about falling behind and instead focus your energy on doing your job to the best of your ability.
