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#TechSkillsDay

Speakers: - Jeremy Morgan (Senior Developer Advocate, Pluralsight) - Adrienne Lowe (Senior Engineering Manager, Dutchie) - Angela Andrews (Solution Architect, Red Hat) - Faye Ellis (Principal AWS Training Architect - AWS, Pluralsight)

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Speakers: - Jeremy Morgan (Senior Developer Advocate, Pluralsight) - Adrienne Lowe (Senior Engineering Manager, Dutchie) - Angela Andrews (Solution Architect, Red Hat) - Faye Ellis (Principal AWS Training Architect - AWS, Pluralsight)

In today's whirlwind tech world, is it better to be a specialist or a generalist? Do certifications matter? Does a college degree and your major affect what you can do? Join our panel of experienced tech experts as they dive into the advantages and disadvantages of each path, the value of certifications and upskilling, and how to navigate your career on your own terms.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Specialist vs. generalist: Unlocking your tech potential

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines the pros and cons of specialization versus generalization in the tech field
Discusses the value of certifications and upskilling
Provides guidance on navigating a career in tech based on individual interests and goals
Features expert speakers from diverse backgrounds and experiences in the tech industry
May be valuable for individuals at various stages of their tech careers

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Specialist vs. Generalist: Unlocking Your Tech Potential with these activities:
Review technical fundamentals
Revisit essential technical concepts to create a strong foundation for the course and make learning more effective.
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Show steps
  • Identify essential topics and review notes or online resources
  • Attempt practice problems or exercises to reinforce understanding
  • Seek clarification from peers or mentors
Identify mentors or peers for guidance and support
Seek guidance and advice from experienced professionals to support your learning journey.
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Show steps
  • Reach out to potential mentors or connect with peers in your network
  • Prepare for meetings by outlining specific questions or topics for discussion
  • Meet regularly to discuss your progress, challenges, and goals
Participate in study groups or peer discussions
Engage with peers to share knowledge, discuss concepts, and learn from different perspectives.
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  • Join or form study groups with classmates or peers
  • Prepare for meetings by reviewing course materials and identifying discussion topics
  • Actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and share insights
  • Reflect on the discussions and apply learning to assignments and projects
Five other activities
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Practice algorithm and data structure problems
Enhance problem-solving abilities and strengthen understanding of core algorithms and data structures.
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  • Solve practice problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank
  • Analyze solutions, identify patterns, and improve efficiency
  • Participate in mock interviews or pair programming sessions
Explore advanced software development tools and technologies
Gain exposure to the latest tools and technologies in the field, expanding knowledge and staying up-to-date.
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Show steps
  • Identify relevant tools and technologies through research
  • Follow online tutorials or video courses
  • Build small projects using the new tools to gain practical experience
Attend workshops or conferences on software development
Gain insights from industry experts, learn about emerging trends, and network with other professionals.
Browse courses on Software Development
Show steps
  • Identify relevant workshops or conferences
  • Register and prepare for the event
  • Attend sessions, participate in discussions, and take notes
  • Connect with speakers, attendees, and potential mentors
Participate in coding competitions or hackathons
Challenge problem-solving abilities, foster creativity, and build a portfolio of projects.
Show steps
  • Identify suitable competitions or hackathons
  • Form a team or work independently
  • Research the problem statement and develop a solution strategy
  • Code, test, and refine the solution
  • Submit the solution and present it if selected
Build a software project that showcases your skills
Apply what you've learned in the course by building a tangible project, demonstrating your capabilities.
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Show steps
  • Identify a project idea that aligns with your interests and skills
  • Plan the project scope, timeline, and technical stack
  • Develop the project, including coding, testing, and debugging
  • Document the project and prepare a presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Specialist vs. Generalist: Unlocking Your Tech Potential will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Development Manager
A Software Development Manager oversees the work of other software developers and engineers. They ensure that software is developed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. This course will be most interesting to individuals wishing to enter a management role within the software development field. It may also be useful for individuals who wish to advance their software development career by leading teams and projects.
Senior Software Engineer
Senior Software Engineers are responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. They work with other engineers to create and implement software solutions that meet the needs of users. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Senior Software Engineering by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Cloud Architect
A Cloud Architect designs and manages cloud computing systems. They work with clients to understand their business needs and then design and implement cloud solutions that meet those needs. This course may help someone interested in cloud architecture build a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They collect, clean, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Data Science by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers work to bridge the gap between development and operations teams. They help to ensure that software is developed and deployed quickly and efficiently. This course may help someone interested in DevOps Engineering build a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software systems. They work with other engineers to create and implement software solutions that meet the needs of users. This course will be most interesting to individuals wishing to enter a software development role. It may also be useful for individuals who wish to advance their software development career.
Systems Engineer
Systems Engineers design and implement complex systems. They work with other engineers to create and implement systems that meet the needs of users. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Systems Engineering by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Technical Architect
Technical Architects design and implement technical solutions for businesses. They work with other architects and engineers to create and implement solutions that meet the needs of users. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Technical Architecture by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products. They work with other team members to define the product vision, roadmap, and features. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Product Management by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.
Data Architect
Data Architects design and implement data solutions for businesses. They work with other architects and engineers to create and implement solutions that meet the needs of users. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Data Architecture by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role. It may also help individuals within this career field advance by considering new specializations.
Quality Assurance Analyst
Quality Assurance Analysts test software to ensure that it meets the needs of users. They work with other engineers to identify and fix bugs. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Quality Assurance by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. They work with other engineers to ensure that databases are available and performant. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Database Administration by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.
IT Manager
IT Managers oversee the technology systems of an organization. They work with other managers to ensure that technology is used to support the business goals of the organization. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of IT Management by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.
IT Consultant
IT Consultants provide advice and support to organizations on their technology needs. They work with clients to identify and solve technology problems. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of IT Consulting by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites. They work with other engineers to create and implement websites that meet the needs of users. This course may be useful to someone entering the field of Web Development by providing a foundation in the skills and knowledge required for the role.

Reading list

We've selected 16 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Specialist vs. Generalist: Unlocking Your Tech Potential.
Teaches the principles and practices of writing clean code. It covers topics such as naming conventions, code organization, and refactoring. This book valuable reference for software developers of all levels.
This classic book explores the challenges of software development. It covers topics such as project management, team dynamics, and communication. must-read for anyone involved in software development.
Introduces the concept of design patterns. It provides a catalog of reusable design solutions that can be applied to a variety of software development problems. This book valuable resource for software architects and designers.
Beginner-friendly introduction to Java programming. It covers the basics of Java syntax, data types, and control flow. This book good choice for those who are new to programming or want to learn Java.
Comprehensive reference for Java programming. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of Java syntax to advanced topics such as concurrency and networking. This book valuable resource for Java developers of all levels.
Provides a collection of best practices for writing effective Java code. It covers topics such as object-oriented design, performance optimization, and error handling. This book valuable resource for Java developers of all levels.
Is the official specification of the Java programming language. It provides a definitive reference for the syntax and semantics of Java. This book valuable resource for Java developers of all levels.
Comprehensive treatise on computer programming. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of algorithms to advanced topics such as artificial intelligence and cryptography. This book valuable resource for computer scientists and software engineers of all levels.
Provides a concise overview of computer science. It covers topics such as algorithms, data structures, and operating systems. This book good choice for those who want to learn the basics of computer science or want to refresh their knowledge.
Comprehensive introduction to algorithms. It covers a wide range of algorithms, from sorting and searching to graph algorithms and dynamic programming. This book valuable resource for computer science students and software engineers.
Classic introduction to algorithms. It covers a wide range of algorithms, from sorting and searching to graph algorithms and dynamic programming. This book valuable resource for computer science students and software engineers.
Comprehensive introduction to data structures and algorithms. It covers a wide range of data structures, from arrays and linked lists to trees and graphs. This book valuable resource for computer science students and software engineers.
Classic introduction to the Unix operating system. It covers the history, design, and implementation of Unix. This book valuable resource for computer science students and operating system developers.
Comprehensive introduction to operating systems. It covers a wide range of topics, from process management to memory management to file systems. This book valuable resource for computer science students and operating system developers.
Comprehensive introduction to computer networks. It covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of network protocols to the design and implementation of network applications. This book valuable resource for computer science students and network engineers.

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