Technical Skills to Keep in Mind

Although technology almost seems to be exclusively the purview of IT graduates, there are still some tech skills you should take the time to build.

While much emphasis is usually put on soft skills, technical skills related to IT are given less prominence, though they are no less important. However, with technology playing such a vital and pivotal role in business today, it would be wise to pick up these skills.

Today, coding is almost as important as literacy, and knowledge of programming languages from HTML to Java can go a long way in helping your application.

While you will not need to be able to actually code – understanding the principles behind it is enough – employers prefer graduates who have an awareness ofwhat goes on “behind the scenes” in applications and websites. An ability to communicate with and relate to programmers would also be a huge point in your favour as well.

Computational thinking – or programmatic thinking – is not a new concept, and if you have made use of big data, you have likely engaged in computational thinking. Although often thought to have robust links to the IT sector, this methodical and logical way of thinking is becoming increasingly common in industries such as marketing and advertising. Someone familiar with computational thinking will have the habit of analysing and organising data in a logical way when reacting to a problem. As this method of thinking relies on data analysis and reason to resolve problems, you can start picking up this skill by viewing issues in a tactical, structured and organised manner. An example of this method of thinking is to jot down all your concerns, separate them categorically, and then thinking of, and finding ways, to solve them as soon as possible. After that, gather data on the most effective and efficient methods that will help you realise yourgoal of resolving your concerns.

The term “big data” is bandied around almost everywhere today, but do you know what it even means?

Quite simply, big data is the colossal amount of data companies generate from their hardware, apps and websites to interpret and use. Data management skills will be incredibly useful in this area, and can give you an edge overthe competition as you will be able to assist companies in turning theirbig data into information they can use. Ifyou are more proficient at managing big data, you will also be able to help businesses predict future trends. However, data management and analytics extend beyond understanding howto use different software to analyse data, and employers maywish to find outifyou are capable ofguaranteeing data probity, developing reliable tracking systems, and planning and designing basic databases.

A branch of visual communication, data visualisation helps others understand data with the use of visuals. It includes a solid understanding of a number of things, from the details of the data you are trying to pass on, to how the target audience would consume this information, and which visual would complybestwith itspurpose. Though it sounds much like plugging numbers into a graphs and charts, data visualisation is more than that, and people with skills and knowledge in this area can often be found exploringnew methods of simplifying and conveying complicated results and trends – culled from big data – to decision-makers and managers.

Companies able to cater to the everevolving needs of customers are the ones who will be able to withstand the test of time. With this in mind, organisations seek out graduates able to offer extensive insights into what their customers need, whether through quick chats, surveys or interviews. Employers also value graduates who can help them identify what their employees need and understand what is needed to maintain their level of job satisfaction through organisational analysis or person analysis. Knowinghowto pairvarious assessmentmodels with different situations and industries as well as getting the right information is a skill that employers find increasingly valuable, so any ability in this field will give you a leg up over the competition.

User experience, or UX, is far more than making sure a product is palatable to the eye. It is about knowing howdesign plays a part in customerinteraction, as well as improvement, and denotes an understanding of how customers use and value a product or service, as well as their limitations and abilities. Astronggrasp ofa company’s brand, aesthetics and usabilityis also needed, as is an awareness of current concepts and trends.