Learning the ropes in a new field can be daunting. From analytical skills to technical writing, and many other transferable tech skills, you’ve amassed a great deal of know-how that can benefit you in your new job.
But certain skills are more helpful than others in mastering your workplace transition.
Are you considering a change of work environment? Do you want to know what your specific tech skills can do for your new career, and how to improve them?
Here are 7 transferable tech skills that will help you succeed in any industry.
1. Cybersecurity Skills
With the rise of the digital age, another phenomenon has arisen too – that of the cyber security threat.
This includes computer viruses and malware, security breaches, and fraud. And this new danger necessitated a profession to protect against it – cybersecurity.
Coding, network security, and risk analysis skills are what help a cybersecurity professional to safeguard an organization’s IT processes.
These skills are translatable to other industries, too, for example, government agencies, the banking system, and investment platforms.
Several top cybersecurity software packages can help safeguard your data. Splunk is one of the most popular for monitoring network security, while Metasploit is great for identifying system vulnerabilities.
But a degree in computer science will teach you the necessary cybersecurity skills to perform these duties. With the world becoming increasingly digital, computer sciences are among the best degrees for a career change.
2. Cloud Computing Skills
You are accessing data stored in Cloud computing storage every day without even realizing it. Emails, inbox, the contents of your Dropbox account, and pay-per-view movie channels you enjoy, all use Cloud computing to some extent.
Cloud computing is a useful skill in virtually any industry. It allows you scalability and adaptability, and these skills are crucial for IT positions. However, anyone well-versed in Cloud computing will be of value to organizations with vast amounts of data needing storage.
These include banks, investment platforms, mega-corporations, and software companies. Cloud storage allows for large amounts of data to be stored and accessed on demand, at less cost.
Salesforce, DigitalOcean, and AWS are all examples of cloud computing software.
3. Technical Writing Skills
To ensure that technical information is clearly communicated in manuals, computer user manuals, and help files, technical writing is the key.
Writing skills in general, are beneficial to your resume. But to become a good technical writer, one needs more than just reading and writing skills. Mathematical ability and scientific principles also play a role.
If you are thinking of joining an HR department, your skills may be put to use for drawing up training materials. In any business environment, these skills will stand you in good stead when it comes to reporting.
And of course, writing skills are a plus in advertising and marketing.
Google Docs is the platform of choice for most people who need to do any writing in their line of work. Trello is better suited to technical writing though, with its Kanban boards that help you manage and organize your technical writing project.
4. Data Analysis and Visualization Skills
Virtually every industry requires the skills used for data analysis, data visualization, and other technical sciences. Data visualization software presents information through graphics, pie graphs, charts, tables, bar graphs, and other visual aids.
Data visualization makes complex information easier to understand.
Another advantage of graphs, in particular, is their ability to highlight differences in comparisons. This would be beneficial in careers like market research, HR, and business in general.
Google Charts and Tableau are just two of the top data visualization software products that can be used to this end.
Data analytics skills are used to calculate risks, detect and prevent fraud, and even predict futures in financial markets.
Data analysts also find their skills helpful in finance, telecommunications, and even tech manufacturing. Python is a programming language often used for data analysis.
Analytical skills are problem-solving skills. They are used for interpreting data, identifying patterns, and formulating theories based on observable data.
Analytical skills are not only useful to scientists, researchers, and statisticians but also to data analysts and market researchers.
You can develop your analytical skills and keep them sharp, through reading, doing brain teasers, and mathematical puzzles.
Reflect on your decision-making processes, and how they differ from others. This type of thought process stimulates analytical thinking.
If you’re thinking of switching to a career that requires logic, reasoning, and research, be sure to highlight your analytical skills in your resume or during your job interview. These skills may also be beneficial in management positions.
Microsoft Excel is an example of software that uses analytical tools.
6. Project Management Skills
Are you good at assessing risks and identifying opportunities? Do you excel at communicating with stakeholders and drawing up budgets?
These project management skills you acquire working on a nonprofit organization’s fundraising committee can aid you as a member of a software development team.
Project management skills are inherently teamwork skills, and that rely on good communication and the ability to delegate.
Communication and teamwork get easier with practice, and you’ll sharpen your teamwork skills through social activities and sports participation.
Microsoft Project is an example of software used by project managers to plan, delegate, track, and analyze projects.
7. Adaptability and Flexibility
Tech skills are highly sought after in many industries, and thus greatly transferable when changing your career path.
However, soft skills such as flexibility and adaptability are just as in demand in business, marketing, human resources, and, to an extent, the financial world.
Adaptability and flexibility allow you to succeed in project leadership, management, and any career where a degree of unpredictability exists.
How does one have these soft transferable tech skills? Unlike most other skills in the tech industry, there aren’t many courses for soft skills. But these traits can be harnessed and refined. Team activities and sports teach adaptability, by learning how to adapt to each other’s way of doing things. To encourage your flexibility, rearrange your schedule from time to time.
