In today’s fast-paced tech environment, data and IT professionals are increasingly investing in continuous learning to future-proof their careers. Why? According to the World Economic Forum, we are in the midst of a “reskilling revolution,” with technology expected to radically transform 1.1 billion jobs in the next decade. A recent IBM survey estimated that 40% of the workforce will likely need to reskill over the coming years as a result of implementing AI and automation. Thought leaders from our own data community confirm in blog posts, podcast interviews, and Q&As that embracing a mindset of ongoing data education is essential for success. Read on for their top reasons to keep learning and for advice on how to get started.
Staying Up to Speed
Rosaria Silipo, head of data science evangelism at KNIME, stresses the importance of developing new skills to stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving landscape:
“Be curious, keep learning, keep applying. Your experience is the best teacher in the field. The biggest challenge is keep up with everything – the evolution of the field, the decisions made in the company, the technical skills, and the soft skills. … The changes to job listing requirements underscore the importance of continuous independent learning and adaptation, ensuring that IT professionals remain indispensable in an increasingly data-centric world.”
It can be hard to stay on top of all the latest industry trends and technologies, agrees Sarah Denman, vice president of data science at 84.51°, but the key is to acknowledge this challenge and feel comfortable filling in the gaps:
“Be confident in your abilities but also be willing to continue to learn. The technical parts of this field are rapidly changing, and it can feel impossible to keep up with it at times. This is a field with incredibly smart people, and it can be easy to start questioning your own abilities. It’s OK not to know everything at any given point in time, but you need to remain confident in your ability to learn and be willing to continue to do so.”
Dr. David Kowalski, president of MIDAS Advisory Services, points to the pandemic to illustrate just how quickly the industry can shift:
“Loving to learn is critical in a time when so much of our industry is changing. It’s not uncommon – every year, every couple of years – for something to happen that so drastically alters it. I mean, what was Zoom in January of 2020? Who would have thought it would become so part and parcel to how we operate as a business? There are these game-changers that come about at an ever-increasingly rapid rate, and you’ve got to be aware of what they offer and what the ramifications of using them are.”
Personal and Professional Growth
For Dr. Anne-Marie Smith, director of curriculum development at DATAVERSITY and principal consultant of Alabama Yankee Systems, acquiring new skills is about more than just staying relevant in a rapidly changing field. Lifelong learning also inspires innovation and creativity, which benefits both you and your organization:
“Professionals who engage in continuous learning are more likely to acquire new skills, learn how to think critically, solve complex problems, and generate novel ideas. Lifelong learners cultivate a broadened mindset that enables them to approach challenges from multiple angles and find innovative solutions. This adaptability not only enhances your own performance as a professional and person, but it can help improve your organization’s capabilities in many areas.”
Anthony Algmin, CEO and co-founder of 8rain Station, emphasizes the need for self-motivation to stay curious, keep learning, and make yourself indispensable to your organization:
“Nobody is going to say, ‘We’ve just been waiting for some data governance.’ We have to realize that it’s on us. We have to identify that there’s an unmet need in our business. So, I would encourage folks to learn a new technology or strategy; learn how to give a presentation; learn how to communicate; learn whatever it is you find interesting. Find ways to connect those things, and you’ll have your own approach that could be very effective as we build out more and more data capabilities across all of our businesses.”
Getting Started
Not sure where to begin your learning journey? Consider honing skills in the area you love most, says Dora Boussias, data and tech advisor and founder of DoraB Global:
“Ask your manager for opportunities that can help you stretch in the areas you’re most comfortable with. Not only are you going to get better with practice, but you’re also going to show the initiative that you’re OK with getting out of your comfort zone. When you get out of your comfort zone, you’re growing, new opportunities open. It’s actually good for your career.”
Similarly, maintain the mindset that you always have more to learn, suggests Alyssa Lien, fraud data scientist at The Standard:
“Keep exploring new things. Always assume you don’t know everything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to explore something that you aren’t familiar with. The more you get behind the times, the longer the catch-up game. So, try new classes, certifications, even just talk to people. Also, don’t be afraid to try another area if your company allows it.”
Dr. Wendy Lynch, founder of analytic-translator.com, also advises taking a never-stop-learning approach:
“No matter how smart and trained you are today, everything that we know and do today is going to be outdated tomorrow. If I still only knew how to do the things that I knew how to do when I got my Ph.D. in 1986, we would be in deep trouble. Everything moves so quickly, and it’s getting faster and faster. So, think about what you’re interested in and where you want to be. There’s just so much to learn.”
Choosing Certification
In between jobs? Dr. Daniel Parshall, principal data scientist at Lakeside Software, notes that attaining a certification can help data scientists stand out to potential employers:
“It’s very difficult to evaluate somebody’s competence in a field that you yourself don’t have any expertise in. That’s why certification programs can be very useful for data scientists. An employer can say, ‘Oh, OK. Somebody along the way was able to confirm that this guy knows what he’s talking about, in a way that I can’t evaluate on my own.’”
Kristin Foster, SVP of data science/AI at 84.51°, recommends carefully selecting training and certification options that provide the greatest value:
“Data science, like most STEM fields, requires a diverse range of technical and analytical skills. It is essential to develop a strong foundation in these areas to thrive in the field. Certifications and boot camps can be of value to help learn a skill and show evidence of investment and industry recognition. Certifications can be a means of bolstering your skillset once you are more established or developing in technical careers.”
Business leaders should also play a role in the continuing education of their staff, says Peter Jackson, interim global head of data office at Schroders:
“Businesses, just like schools, have a responsibility to educate – to upskill their employees with a broader set of talents and an appreciation of how data fits into their personal toolbox. The ultimate goal is to create a world full of citizen data scientists, all able to consume, analyze, and translate the information at their fingertips – and use that knowledge to improve their choices, their decisions, and their achievements.”
No matter how data and IT professionals choose to continue their education – through online classes, apprenticeships, certification programs, live webinars, blog posts, or a slew of other resources available today – staying committed to learning paves the way for obtaining the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive.