Big tech companies launch new devices and software as improvements to previous editions every year, and companies are always competing to see who can come up with the latest and greatest innovations. Unless you work in the tech industry itself, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest advancements in technology – but – not impossible as hobbyists eagerly await the release of new gadgets.
Our mobiles are a great example of how integrated technology has become with our lives, so much so, that we are more fascinated now than every feature on our smartphones. For those who interact with tech on a daily basis, many companies place learning and development as an essential step for their employees in developing their careers.
Below, we list why it’s crucial to stay up to date with technology and what you, as an individual, can do to keep up.
Why it’s essential to stay up to date with technology:
1. Career advancements
Keeping your tech skills fresh could potentially help you advance in your career. By demonstrating that you’re interested and invested in technology and staying up to date, you’ll show your employers that you’ve got the mindset for growth and can adapt to changes.
Did you know? Your biological age isn’t always linked to your technological age. Learn more about your technological age through this fun technological age quiz. Simply answer questions about using technology and social media to find out more.
2. Staying employable
By keeping up to date with the latest technological advancements, you’re allowing yourself to stay employable. As mentioned before, the tech industry moves fast, and companies everywhere are constantly improving their grasp of technology to reduce downtime and increase productivity. That said, employees who keep up with technological trends can help their companies reach a certain level of success.
In a recent webinar, Times Higher Education and Adobe revealed that owning digital literacy skills could empower students to be more agile and move quickly at work.
3. Keeping your data safe
When you’re up to date with these advancements, you’ll start to find ways to improve your own experiences with technology, too. For example, when you learn about a cybersecurity issue impacting a device or software you use, you might try and find ways to keep yourself safe from them. This allows you to protect your data and personal information a lot better.
How to keep up with technological trends:
1. Read tech news
The easiest way to get into the habit of reading technology news every day is to make it easy for you to do so. If you’re the sort that loves reading news off your phone or desktop, make your favorite tech site your browser homepage. Reading tech news will be the first thing you do when you start your day. Here’s how to do it if you’re using the Google Chrome browser.
Alternatively, set the alarm each day to remind you to read the news while taking a break at work. After a few weeks, this habit will be ingrained in you enough that you won’t need any reminders.
If you’re an avid social media user, following tech accounts could be a great way to keep up to date with news more easily. Most of the time, social media accounts deliver tech news in bite-sized pieces, so it’s easy to digest, even when you’re on the go.
Beyond social media, there are plenty of YouTube channels that talk about technology, devices, and the latest innovations. Various publications such as The Verge, TechCrunch, and WIRED have YouTube guides explaining NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and the Metaverse.
3. Speak to friends and family
You likely have close friends and family members who are avid tech fans. Some of them might even work in the technology sector. If you’re interested in learning more about technology, make it a point to chat with them frequently and ask about what they do and the new advancements in their work. You’ll learn a thing or two, and they might divulge some insider information.
4. Make learning a priority
An easy way to start getting up to speed with technology is to prioritize learning each day. Every few months or at the start of the year, set a goal for yourself to learn something new. Perhaps, you can start by learning what an NFT is and then learn how they’re traded and the different ways they can be purchased, too.
If you’re at a senior level and can incite change in how your team operates in the company, try implementing tech modules in your learning and development plans. Alternatively, let employees decide which aspects of technology they’d like to learn more about. They might just be able to apply what they’ve learned to their work.
5. Attend conferences and tech events
There are plenty of tech conferences, events, and courses available to take advantage of. Some of these events occur virtually, so you don’t have to travel to a certain destination. Here’s a list of some of the free and most exciting virtual technology conferences you can attend.
Sites like Reddit have various threads on different topics where you can ask questions or learn more about a particular concept in a judgment-free environment. r/programming, for example, is an inclusive place that invites new programmers to ask questions and learn new things.
Staying up to date with the latest technological advancements can be pretty intimidating. While that might be the case, it’s not impossible. The first step to doing anything is always the hardest, but the more often you keep up with tech news and stay motivated to learn, the easier it will be for you eventually.
