doesn't occur over night. It creeps up on you, like moss covering the bones that the weevils and maggots have cleaned. In geologic time, it might seem "quick," but it's a rolling wave and unless you want to be taken under, you need to ride it. (I'll have to get with Tom to get some stronger surfing metaphors, I only surf the web.)
It's not "getting old" which makes us obsolete, it's being silo-ed, corralled away from the newest tools and trends. For example, access to Microsoft Excel's "Power" suite of BI tools, like PowerQuery, PowerPivot, and PowerMaps for those of us relegated to the Excel world. Then there's the fact of the influence and availability of
open source coding solutions like R or Python. But even training up on these tools - if we don't use them, then we "lose" them. I can't count how many people I know went for CCNA or CCNE certifications and then never, ever after touched a Cisco box. Now those are just letters trailing after their names and if they get into an interview someone will ask. Yes, no matter how glancing your knowledge of a topic, if you claim it, you will be asked to answer even a trivial question. And you won't know the answer. Knowledge is nothing more than repetition in my book. Use it or lose it is the mantra.
However, technologies are changing so rapidly that we do need to gain access to a working knowledge of some of these tools - which means, to me, an integration into daily life. So, I'm going with Python at the moment and am focusing on that for a scripting language as well as data analysis. Here in Seattle, it seems to be more a Python kinda town. I plan on using the Microsoft suite of power tools for the visualizations though. I did pull down a trial copy of Tableau, but their trials are only 45-90 days.
Other technologies you could gain access to: Amazon Web Services has a one year introductory account you could set up. This would give you training and access to their Cloud Services. They also have training sessions. You can install Hortonworks Hadoop onto your home machine. I have a million-and-one resources I could list here in this blog entry. That's actually been part of my problem - too many options.
Time to focus down now though... focus.. laser like attention... LOL
Good points. However, I do believe that once you get your CCNA or CCNE you will be able to do more than just have letters trailing your name. Everything in life takes practice, but it's getting to the plate that actually gives you an opportunity to swing, my limit of baseball. But seriously, you have to get the interview, get in the door, and then you are able to begin practicing. It's the way of the world, getting through the door is when practice begins.
ReplyDeleteI agree - just make sure you use the knowledge though. You need to practice the skills. Without that practice, ten years go by, do you still know what you learned before? That's the big issue. Many of our companies offer training to their employees which they will not be allowed to use. I'm no longer convinced of that worth, just have it on a piece of paper. I mean, maybe it will get you an interview, but then it needs to be treated as "the past." I would hardly suggest someone applying for a position without recent depth of experience.
DeleteOne of the job boards I've been on asks the last year you've worked a skill even as you judge your expertise (beginner to expert) and how many years you've worked with it. That to me makes sense in terms of a comprehensive analysis.
But also, people need to be aware that a "working knowledge" is what they should focus on. It purely sucks not to be able to answer a remedial question. I can't believe I forgot about rbind myself... gah!