How Proficiency in Communication, Not Code, Is the Key to Success in Tech
In 2024, going forward, you need to learn or improve your proficiency in this. This will help you build awesome projects and improve your ability to land that gig/job/internship you have always yearned for.
Whether it's in FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix or Google) or a local startup, they always look for very proficient developers in this.
What is this?
You might be thinking I'm referring to a programming language like JavaScript. No
Now you might I'm talking about Python or something sophisticated such as Java or C++. Nope ๐ โโ๏ธ
The answer is
Click to reveal
English
That's right.
Starting in 2023, we saw Artificial Intelligence being adopted in various fields including Tech. Right now, programmers, software engineers, developers and even businesses use systems like ChatGPT in their daily routines.
What does it mean?
This means AI isn't going anywhere anytime soon. Nobody would have a reason to abandon using AI.
Unlocking the full potential of these AI systems hinges on your ability to communicate effectively. Embracing Artificial Intelligence can significantly elevate your productivity in tasks such as:
Streamlining workflows
Generating test cases for debugging
Crafting comprehensive study plans, like mastering Python in just 90 days
Instantly generating code snippets
Dispensing valuable advice on best practices
If you haven't integrated Artificial Intelligence into your toolkit for these and numerous other applications, you're not just missing out; you might be limiting your overall productivity.
Why should I learn this?
When I talk about communication, I'm highlighting the channels and methods you employ to convey your thoughts. In most cases, you will use English. Whether you're a developer, software engineer, or anyone else, honing your communication skills is essential.
Through communication, when working on a project, you not only get to understand :
What you need to build
Why you need to build it
How you are going to build it
Issues you face in what you are working on
Also, you will be able to explain
What you have built
How someone might use what you built through - User Manuals or Documentation
Moreover, communication encourages coordination and teamwork as a result it will open doors to collaboration etc.
Most open-source tools and products that we use today including
Web Browsers - Firefox, Chromium
Operating Systems - Linux (Ubuntu, ParrotOs, Kali, Manjaro), FreeBSD
Version Control Systems - Git, SVN
Programming languages - Ruby, Python, Java etc.
... and many others, are widely used because the team that created them were able to communicate to the end-users through proper documentation. Don't worry, I will share resources that will help you write good documentation down below. ๐๐
Resources to Learn Proper Communication
Books:
Websites/Blogs:
Write the Docs: A community for documentarians and those working in technical writing.
Stack Overflow Blog: Offers insights into effective communication in the developer community.
Practice Platforms:
- Exercism: Provides coding exercises with a focus on mentorship and feedback, enhancing your ability to explain your code.
Podcasts:
- Developer Tea: Focuses on career development, including communication skills for developers.
YouTube Channels:
- TechLead: Offers career and soft skills advice for developers.
Writing Platforms:
- Contribute to documentation on platforms like GitHub to improve your technical writing skills.
Once you've explored these resources, feel free to dive into my article on initiating your journey in the coding realm.