Shannon Bisceglia, Client Success Manager for Treehouse, wrapped up this series providing Networking Skills development insights this week with an emphasis of the various topics reviewed over these last few months.
Shannon explored Networking Skills in Tech to help crystalize for students the skills that may be most helpful to their development and future careers.
Coding experience is not just a skill; it is a key that unlocks countless opportunities in the tech industry, where innovation and creativity are celebrated.
NETWORKING SKILLS (THE HUMAN KIND):
1. Most people don’t think about networking (the human kind) until they are already applying and interviewing for jobs, but the sooner you start with these basic networking initiatives, the better.
2. The items covered today are “soft skills” that you can start using now! Feel free to think about examples of how you have implemented any of the skills covered in this series and refer back to previous blog posts for more details in each of these developmental skills.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW TO BOOST YOUR VALUE?
1. Build Social Capital
2. Seek Mentorship and Feedback
3. Start a Blog
4. Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
5. Project Management
6. Customer Support
SOCIAL CAPITAL
What is Social Capital and How Can You Develop It?
a. Social Capital is the value that comes from your connections with others
b. Your close relationships are your most valuable asset. They will most likely open doors in your future.
You need to invest in your relationships! How can you do that now?
1. Write Thank You Notes!
2. Be Genuinely Interested!
3. Do What You Say You Are Going To Do and Do It On Time!
FEEDBACK AND MENTORSHIP
How to give and receive feedback:
1. Feedback helps us understand our strengths and weaknesses.
2. It provides insight into blind spots we might not see ourselves.
3. It guides us towards improvement and excellence.
4. Acting on feedback can signal your value to potential mentors.
THINGS TO CONSDIER WHEN GIVING FEEDBACK
Keep these four points in mind:
1. Be specific: Instead of “good job”, say, “I appreciate how you clearly explained your ideas.”
2. Be timely: Feedback is most effective when given close to the event.
3. Be constructive: Offer suggestions for improvement, not just criticism.
4. Be empathetic: Consider the person’s feelings and perspective.
ACTING ON FEEDBACK CAN LEAD TO MENTORSHIP
What is a Mentor?
1. A mentor is someone who guides and supports you in your personal and professional growth.
2. Mentors can offer valuable advice, share experiences, and provide encouragement.
3. When you are open to feedback, people notice your willingness to learn and grow.
4. Those who give you feedback might become potential mentors.
5. Mentors want to help individuals who show a desire to improve.
6. Show gratitude: If someone gives you valuable feedback, express your appreciation.
7. Be open: Be open to learning from various sources, and trying new things.
START A BLOG
Blogs allow you to:
1. Demonstrate initiative and responsibility
2. Build a Portfolio
3. Develop critical writing skills
4. Demonstrate skills and abilities with zero or minimal work experience
Staying consistent is the most important aspect of this effort. Choose a workflow that fits your life and stick with it.
SET S.M.A.R.T. GOALS:
How can you master the art of setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals?
S.M.A.R.T. stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevent, and Time-bound.
1. Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
2. Measurable: Make sure your goal can be tracked and measured.
3. Achievable: Set goals that are realistic and within your reach.
4. Relevant: Make sure your goal matters to you and aligns with your values.
5. Time-bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable.
EXAMPLES OF S.M.A.R.T. GOALS:
1. Academic: “I will improve my Algebra grade from a B to an A by the end of the semester by attending tutoring sessions twice a week and completing all homework assignments.”
2. Personal Development: “I will learn to play the guitar by practicing for at least 30 minutes every day and taking weekly lessons for six months."
HOW TO CRAFT S.M.A.R.T. GOALS:
Things to consider:
Identify what you want to achieve: What are your dreams and aspirations?
Make it specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish? Do you need to break a larger goal down into smaller steps?
Ensure it is measurable: How will you track your progress?
Make it achievable: Is your goal realistic given your resources and constraints?
Ensure it is relevant: Why is this goal important to you?
Make it time-bound: When do you want to achieve this goal by?
Embrace the journey ahead, stay curious, and continue to expand your horizons in the ever-evolving world of technology!
Keeping a focus on these Networking Skills helps to guide you to new experiences and education to develop your skills and knowledge to become successful in whatever path you choose.
Dan McElroy, President of WV Coding Club, shared, “What an amazing series of topics and insights for our West Virginia Coding Club students! Thank you Shannon for these great sessions and useful skills to develop!"
Treehouse's mission is to diversify the tech industry through accessible education, unlocking the door to opportunity, and empowering people to achieve their dreams. Offering courses to individual learners, internal company teams, and third-party education providers, Treehouse helps to bridge the gap between formal educational institutions and on-the-job requirements.
Thank you Shannon!
To learn more about Treehouse, click the link: www.teamtreehouse.com
Keep Coding!