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Technology

Author: Devmountain Tutorials

what's covered
In this lesson, you will learn how to recall the characteristics of a tech mindset. Specifically, this lesson will cover:

Table of Contents


1. What is the Technology Skill?

You already know that technology plays a role in virtually every job in every industry because you are taking this course about IT careers, right? You likely have an affinity for tech if you are thinking about a career in this field. The ability to confidently and effectively use technology makes you more productive, helps you complete your work, and gives you a competitive advantage. This section will show you why the right mindset matters, and how you can apply technology to help future-proof your career.

Because tech is continually evolving, practicing your technology skill starts with having the right mindset. When you adopt a tech mindset, it means you believe you can grow your technology skill throughout your life and career to achieve your personal and professional goals. It’s also important to note that developing your technology skill doesn’t mean you’ll become a tech expert overnight. Instead, when you encounter new technological tools in the workplace, you can figure out how to use those tools by researching them and relying on what you already know. Be confident in yourself and in the knowledge that you can use your technology skill to help get any job done, whether it’s watching a YouTube video that shows you how to change a tire, accessing the Sophia platform on your phone, or using a mindfulness app—like Headspace—to meditate.

While there’s a growing demand for development, engineering, and data science jobs, those aren’t the only kind of technology skills that employers are looking for. A willingness to adapt to new technology has become essential in modern workplaces. And when it comes to starting your career, technology can also help you stand out. You can apply this skill to create a targeted and stylish résumé, a well-crafted LinkedIn page, and an effective strategy for finding the right position using a variety of online resources. When you’re able to confidently use what you already know to learn new technology, you become a more “in-demand” job applicant (Rayome, 2; Shellenbarger, 3).

Different people will have different comfort levels with new digital tools, and that’s okay. You may feel like a novice compared to one person, but you’re probably an expert compared to someone else! It’s all relative, so instead of wishing you were as savvy as someone with more experience, focus on what you are comfortable doing and use that to lean into new areas where you can further develop your skills.

hint
This might require you to apply your self and social awareness skills.

term to know
Technology
The ability to confidently and effectively use technologies to be productive, complete goals and tasks, and maintain a competitive advantage.


2. What Does Technology Look Like in the Workplace?

Technology is not only reshaping the work many people do, but it’s also actually changing how we work. You may have heard that automation and artificial intelligence, or AI, are taking the place of certain roles, but don’t worry about competing with robots for jobs! The skills you’re learning throughout this course are skills that AI can’t replace. That’s especially true of your technology skill.

According to Global Workplace Analytics, the number of employees working remotely has grown by 91% over the past 10 years. Thanks to new tech tools, it’s easy for colleagues to share documents, talk to one another and collaborate, even if they’re thousands of miles apart. At Poodle Jumper, we have 100% work flexibility for employees to work remotely whenever they need to. This is becoming the new normal for many organizations, so it is essential to be comfortable using these technologies.

As you become more familiar with new technological advances, you’ll want to take it one step further and seek out new tools. By being the person in your workplace who is willing to adapt and learn new technology, you’ll give yourself and your company a competitive advantage. Many of the technologies we rely on to run Poodle Jumper didn’t exist ten years ago.

hint
Here are a few tips for maintaining the right mindset when you’re learning new tech:
  • Remember, confidence takes practice. You have an opportunity to build your tech mindset every time you face a challenge and a new technology.
  • If you feel stuck, take a slow, deep breath. It’s hard to learn new tech if we don’t feel calm.
  • When all else fails, reboot. Sometimes a simple reset can solve all sorts of problems—and that goes for your mindset too!

summary
This lesson discussed the importance of having a technology skill and how it can help future-proof your career. It emphasized that having the right mindset is crucial to developing your technology skill and that it doesn't necessarily mean becoming an expert overnight. Additionally, being comfortable with new technological tools has become essential in modern workplaces, and having the willingness to adapt and learn new technology can give you a competitive advantage. The lesson also highlighted how technology in the workplace is changing, with remote work becoming the new normal for many organizations. Finally, the lesson encouraged seeking out new tools to stay competitive and relevant in the workplace.

Source: This tutorial was authored by DEVMOUNTAIN and Sophia Learning. Please see our Terms of Use.

Attributions
Terms to Know
Technology

The ability to confidently and effectively use technologies to be productive, complete goals and tasks, and maintain a competitive advantage.