Happiness is found in work that one loves; not for those who must do it for survival. So consider upskilling as a way to allow yourself the opportunity of happiness both on and off the job. Every day, we find ourselves becoming less relevant to our job. Many IT jobs are automating at an alarming rate; things that used to require a human touch now only need a program’s logic implemented. Even those who’ve been around the block for years will tell you that this is why it’s so important to be always learning: new skills and knowledge will ensure your work stays relevant even as the field changes.

At Softnotions, we encourage our coworkers to learn new skills whenever they can. We believe that learning is beneficial to everyone, and we want to help to keep the skills relevant for as long as possible. Our workplace is constantly changing. As the technology used at Softnotions evolves, so do our skillsets and abilities. Although this change can be unsettling, it’s necessary to keep up with the modern needs of office life. When you’re learning new skills, there’s always a risk of losing your previous knowledge. While some people are skilled at learning quickly, even they can struggle with the transition. There is no exact way or timeframe to upskill, and everyone’s transition time will be different. It’s important to realize that you are constantly changing, too – and to keep up with the change, you will need to adapt. This is why it’s important to be always learning: new skills and knowledge will ensure your work stays relevant even as the field changes.

It’s easy to say: “I do my job every day, and that’s it.” The problem is, while you’re doing your job every day, someone else is making something new or fixing an old program. As soon as things get out-of-date or in need of an upgrade, the jobs that are automated get taken away – and if you don’t keep up with what you’re doing, you could lose your job. A role can become obsolete while you’re working at it, even if you’re continuously using the skills you have. The IT field is constantly changing, and with it, the skills and knowledge required for a position will undoubtedly change. If you don’t stay updated, there’s a distinct possibility your role could become obsolete. When employees feel out of the loop, they get frustrated – and when they get frustrated, they start looking for greener pastures. The same thing happens when they’re overworked; they start looking for more hours or better pay. The key is to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest, most relevant trends. If you find that all your hard-earned skills are becoming useless, get ahead of the game and change your skillset. It’s better to be a year early than five years late.

At Softnotions, we encourage our coworkers to learn new skills whenever they can. We believe that learning is beneficial to everyone, and we want to help you keep your skills relevant for as long as possible.

Learning is different from upskilling: it is something you do purely for the knowledge, not because someone made you learn it or because of business needs. At Softnotions, we encourage our coworkers to learn new skills whenever they can. We believe that learning is beneficial to everyone, and we want to help you keep your skills relevant for as long as possible. Though no two people are ever the same, everyone will have different ways of upskilling – you should choose something that you’re passionate about and that interests you.

Here’s an in-depth look into why it’s important to keep yourself up-to-date.
Upskilling is a way to get better at what you already know: if it isn’t relevant, maybe you need to learn more. To keep up with the latest trends, training is necessary. We’re talking about skill sets that are mandatory for work purposes; not talking about esoteric stuff like kung fu or knitting. If your current employer requires you to learn something, likely, some of your competition has already learned it – and if they have it, chances are they’re using it. Put simply: when you’re buying software or services, you can spend a lot of time trying to justify the purchase. Is it maintained? Is it free/low-cost? What is the quality like, and how long will it last? When your competitors “buy” a software package, they’re using it – so their use proves that the product is good and that there’s a demand for that skill set. If you don’t learn it, your competitors will likely know it, and you’ll be left behind. “Why would I bother learning new things if I’m just putting in a couple of hours a day?” It’s important to realize that even if you’re using the skills you’ve acquired, they aren’t being put to use. As soon as they’re not relevant anymore, they’re essentially just collecting dust. As the skills become obsolete, the experience that goes with them becomes irrelevant. There’s a risk of being put in a position where you cannot figure out what’s what – especially if your employer has recently been going through a re-organization.

There are a lot of resources you can use for learning, but the most important thing is to do it. Once you start learning some new skill, you’ll be surprised at how quickly it starts to make sense. And the more you do it, the better you will get at it – and eventually, you’ll be able to do it automatically. It’s important to realize you’ll probably lose a lot of your previous skills as you transition into a new role – and that’s okay: not everyone can learn everything. The main thing is to keep your learning mindset and give it your best shot. It takes time to change, so don’t expect yourself to completely switch in the span of a couple of weeks. With enough practice and dedication, you’ll eventually get the hang of it.