10 essential skills: (9) self-learning, curiosity, problem-solving

Data scientists and tech professionals including software developers, engineers, and data analysts are competing to retain in-demand and relevant skills in a rapidly evolving technological landscape sweeping across industries. As is the enterprise!

Many of us working in tech may already identify as incredible learners and self-taught warriors. For those eager to break into today's hottest jobs such as data scientist, big data engineer, or cloud architect, the ability to pivot into these roles depends critically on a willingness for professional development.

"Continuous professional development is an absolutely paramount and critical part of data" -Data Science Headhunter and Head of Analytics Recruitment at IT Search and Selection, Adrian Clarke (via Super Data Science Podcast)

In today's Internet of Everything, it's no wonder both aspiring and seasoned tech professionals must wield one of the sharpest tools in the arsenal: the ability to self-learn. This is often coupled with an inherent curiosity and aptitude for problem-solving. If you're insecure about the persistence of self-learning in the workplace, keep in mind that it's been proven that you can literally make your brain bigger and train it to learn all sorts of new things. This is the beauty of neuroplasticity!

The ability to solve a problem by learning a new skill is a trait that guarantees to distinguish one professional from the next. In some contexts, it's also the modus operandi for a successful business team such as those in startups or innovative departments. Others may already have anecdotes where learning a new skill, service, or tool was critical to the success of a project.

The importance of having the curiosity to consider alternative methods and solutions to problems can not be overstated. Professionals with the ability and willingness for self-learning, curiosity and problem-solving don't need to be micro-managed. Importantly, they consistently bring value to their teams and enterprises; their work ethic, initiative and leadership is an essential advantage in today's skills economy.

Professionals demonstrating independent learning, curiosity and problems solving are adaptive, proactive, and engaged in the success of their teams. Quite simply, they are invaluable.

Whether you are looking to break into technology and become part of a growing field of well-paid professionals, or you're already working in big data, software, cybersecurity or IT but wanting to land roles with greater responsibility, your best investment continues to be your human capital.

The importance and scale of knowledge-gathering through community-building and project-based learning is everywhere. Platforms such as Code Academy, Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, EdX, Metis, SuperDataScience, SkillsCrush, and plenty others, are generating learning content and communities to connect thousands of students with practical skills provisioning.

In addition to online learning platforms, the creation of collaborative spaces and coding communities with their corresponding chapters are popping up across cities all over the world. From virtual forums such as StackOverflow, KDNuggets and Github to virtual/physical meetup communities such as Women Who Code, Bitmaker and WeCloudData, the ever growing community of tech professionals and aspiring tech talent have increasing opportunity and resources for learning, mentorship and engagement.

Thousands of professionals are eager to take charge of their professional and personal development, and this is exciting! Fortunately, there are thousands of others eager to share, demonstrate, and collaborate.

Especially for data scientists looking to challenge themselves, communities such as Analytics Vidhya Hackathons, Crowd Analytics, Driven Data, and Kaggle Competitions, exist to foster innovation, competition, and excellence in pushing the boundaries of skills and knowledge.

So what's on your "to develop skills" list?

The Big Data Life's "10 Essential Skills" can help you on your path to tech professional. Follow the blog on thebigdatalife.com and on Instagram and Twitter @thebigdatalife

Happy learning from The Big Data Life!