Harnessing Technology for Professional Growth
In this evolving world, every company is becoming a tech company. With this increase, more career fields now require tech skills not needed in past decades. As technology evolves, basic and repetitive jobs decrease while jobs requiring problem-solvers are skyrocketing.¹ Creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills can help a candidate stand out. Companies are searching for applicants who can use technology to solve real-world problems; the future belongs to those who combine creativity with technical expertise.
Teresa Amabile, a professor of Business Administration in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit at Harvard Business School, expounds on the idea of creativity in the workplace:
“Creativity depends on a number of things: experience, including knowledge and technical skills; talent; and an ability to think in new ways; and the capacity to push through uncreative dry spells.”
Creativity is the ability to use technical skills to think in new ways and solve problems.²
To become digitally fluent, one must do the following:
1. Seek areas of growth
2. Understand the importance of improvement
3. Understand how technology is shaping the world around us
4. Learn how to utilize technology best
Seek Areas of Growth
As technology reshapes industries, the demand for skilled, adaptable professionals is growing. To thrive in this evolving landscape, individuals must not only stay current but continuously seek opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Even if a student is undecided, they can still consider their options and continue from there. Understanding how technology impacts every career field—whether it’s mastering industry-specific tools or enhancing digital literacy—can create a competitive edge.
For example:
- A nurse will need to know how to operate electronic health records (EHR), communication and collaborative tools, and skills to perform data analysis.
- Although it might be difficult to access EHR without being a registered nurse, someone who wants to go into that field can still begin to practice the technological skills that a nurse will need.
Being familiar with the types of systems nurses use before future nursing students apply will set them ahead of all other students trying to apply to a nursing program.
Once students find which tech skills they will need in their future careers, they should self-assess to find strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses should be addressed for life-long learning. Ways to address weaknesses or increase strengths could be seeking internships, volunteering opportunities, or part-time jobs related to their intended field to gain invaluable hands-on experience and insights into industry practices.³
Additionally, networking with professionals already established in the field can offer valuable mentorship and guidance, helping students better understand the niche parts of their chosen career path. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability is crucial as technology evolves. By proactively acquiring and perfecting the necessary skills and knowledge, students can position themselves for success and future-proof their careers in an ever-changing job market.⁴
The Importance of Improvement
In today’s competitive job market, possessing strong technical skills is vital for securing employment and advancing a career. Proficiency in various digital tools, data analysis, and coding demonstrates versatility and adaptability, qualities highly sought after by employers across industries.⁵
Moreover, as technology continues to expand/grow/improve/, individuals with up-to-date technical skills are better positioned to navigate the changing landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Whether you’re embarking on your career journey or seeking to progress within your current role, honing your technical abilities is an investment that promises significant returns, opening doors to many career paths and enhancing your professional prospects.⁶
Exponential Tech Growth
From AI to gene editing technologies like CRISPR, technological advances continue to excite people worldwide. With the excitement, more people are joining in and adding their expertise, creating even more advances in a world full of technology.
It is easier today to create a company than ever before. The number of tech startups is growing for many reasons, whether because of the pandemic in 2020, advances in technology, or reduced barriers to becoming an entrepreneur.
During the pandemic, tech startups grew 2.3 times faster than non-tech startups.⁷
The Importance of Improvement
The choice of programming language depends on its intended use. The most popular languages among developers globally are:
JavaScript - Adds interactivity and dynamic behavior to web pages.
HTML/CSS – Defines the structure and visual appearance of web pages.
Python – Versatile language for web development, data analysis, and machine learning.
SQL – Tool for querying and manipulating data in relational databases.
TypeScript – Adds optional static typing to JavaScript, improving code maintainability.
Bash/Shell – A command-line interface that interacts with operating systems and automates tasks.
Java – Widely used for enterprise applications, web development, and Android apps.
C# – Object-oriented language popular for game development, Windows applications, and .NET framework.
C++ – Powerful and efficient language for system programming, game development, and high-performance applications.
C – Foundation of many programming languages used for system programming, emb
edded systems, and hardware interaction.
Coding is not Hard
Coding’s difficulty is often overstated. It’s like building with Legos: complex projects require many pieces, but you can start small. With just a few lines, you can create something that works. The key is practice.
The more you code, the more comfortable you become. And the beauty is, there’s a project for every skill level and every idea you can imagine!⁸
So, don’t be intimidated by the vastness of code. Start small, practice consistently, and you’ll be surprised at what you can build. Even with just an hour of guided practice, something great can be built.
Excel in the Job Force
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel has become fundamental across a wide spectrum of career paths, from finance and data analysis to project management.
In today's competitive job market, Excel skills are highly valued for their ability to enhance productivity, simplify data analysis, and support informed decision-making. For example, in finance roles, Excel is an essential tool for financial modeling, data manipulation, and generating reports, allowing professionals to succeed through accurate analysis and forecasting.⁹
Excel proficiency not only points to basic technical understanding, but also problem-solving abilities. Whether creating pivot tables for data analysis or developing Gantt charts for project management, Excel empowers professionals to streamline processes, communicate tough ideas effectively, and collaborate within teams in different parts of the company.
As industries continue to evolve, Excel remains a versatile and indispensable tool that equips individuals with the speed and adaptability needed to *‘excel’* in their careers.
Technology vs. Human Interaction
The blend of technology and human interaction offers both opportunities and challenges. While some worry that technology hinders face-to-face communication, it actually acts as a bridge between people.
* Nonprofit organizations use bots and AI to create meaningful connections with donors on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
* Businesses can similarly harness technology to enhance customer relationships through personalized email marketing, efficient project management tools, and virtual team-building platforms.
Ultimately, technology enriches human interactions when used thoughtfully rather than replacing them entirely.¹¹
Leaders and Technology
Leadership has traditionally been defined by vision, strategy, and the ability to inspire. While these remain essential, this age demands a new skill set: tech proficiency.
As Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP), stated:
“Look, you need technical skills to run a company.”¹¹
Leaders who understand technology are better equipped to navigate the digital landscape.
With “Tech Fluency,” leaders can make informed decisions about integrating new technologies, leverage data for innovation, and collaborate effectively with tech teams. Ultimately, this leadership style helps companies thrive in a rapidly evolving technological era.
Leaders don’t need to code, but they must understand the potential of technology and translate their vision into a technology-driven reality.¹²
Tech Revolutionizing Daily Life
The significant increase in the number of US households using smart home devices over the past decade (2018–2028) shows the rising interest in integrating technology into everyday domestic routines.
This exponential growth suggests that the tech revolution impacts how people live, work, and interact with their environments.
The data starts at 41.5 million households in 2018 and is projected to reach 103.15 million by 2028. This exponential growth suggests a rising interest in integrating technology into everyday domestic routines.¹³
Becoming Digitally Fluent
The job market demands a new skill set: tech fluency. Companies are searching for candidates who can leverage technology to solve problems and think creatively.
College students can future-proof their careers by acquiring technical skills, seeking internships, and networking with professionals. These abilities will make a candidate more enticing, whether in coding, data analysis, or proficiency in programs like Excel.
Technology’s influence extends far beyond the job market. It’s transforming everyday lives by creating a more connected, convenient, and secure living experience. Smart home devices are just one example of how technology impacts our daily routines.
As technology evolves, we can expect even more changes in how we interact with the world around us.
Technology offers both opportunities and challenges. While some worry that it hinders human interaction, technology can bridge the gap between people. Businesses can use technology to enhance customer relationships, and nonprofits can use it to connect with donors.
Ultimately, technology enriches human interaction when used thoughtfully, and leaders who understand technology’s potential can make informed decisions and translate their vision into a tech-driven reality.
Notes
- Greg Ott, “Why Companies Need Problem Solvers, Not Problem Pointer-Outers,” Forbes.com, (14 February 2020), forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2020/02/14/why-companies-need-problem-solvers-not-problem-pointer-outers/.
- “The 6 Myths of Creativity,” alumni.hbs.edu, (01 March 2008), alumni.hbs.edu/stories/Pages/story-bulletin.aspx?num=671.
- Julie Maio, “10 Reasons Why An Internship is Important to All Students,” blog.suny.edu, (29 June 2018), blog.suny.edu/36201/10-reasons-why-an-internship-is-important-to-all-students.
- Greg Ott, “Companies Need Problem Solvers.”
- Lauren Goode, “Tech Job Interviews Are Out of Control,” Wired.com, (22 February 2024), wired.com/story/tech-job-interviews-out-of-control/.
- Lauren Goode, “Out of Control.”
- Audrey Rawnie Rico, “27 Startup Statistics Entrepreneurs Need to Know,” fitsmallbusiness.com, (8 June 2023).
- Cs.washington.edu, “Evaluating Programming Languages,” CSE 341, (January 2024).
- Eric Rosenberg, “The Importance of Excel in Business,” Investopedia.com, (27 November 2022).
- Eric Rosenberg, “Excel in Business.”
- Anna Taylor, “Building a bridge between technology and human interaction,” Ruby.com.
- Moya K. Mason, “Worldwide Business Startups,” Moyak.com.
- Oberlo, “US SMART HOME STATISTICS (2019–2028),” Oberlo.com.
- Richard L. Wexelblat, History of Programming Languages, Academic Press, (1981).
- L. Prechelt, “An empirical comparison of seven programming languages,” Computing Practices, (October 2000).
- Ellis Horowitz, “The Evolution of Programming Languages. In: Fundamentals of Programming Languages,” SpringerLink (1984).
- K. R. Chowdhary, “On the Evolution of Programming Languages.”