As the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" implies, different individuals who are passionate about technology come together to make a community that has brought about the advancement and development of the tech industry. A community is a group of people with similar interests and goals that provides support and enhances the growth of one another.
I will implore every techie, especially people that are new to tech to join a tech community. This will help navigate your journey in the industry as it gets overwhelming and also positively impacts your career.
What is a tech community?
A tech community creates a thriving environment for people to network and interact with one another. Individuals with different experiences come together to help each other learn, grow, and thrive. Newbies in tech learn how to navigate the first few years as they start their tech journey. Professionals in the field can help techies looking for junior or Entry-level roles in the industry with tips and tricks. In addition, Community provides techies with clarity, it helps you to discover your passion and also what field in tech your strength lies.
Why Should You Join a Tech Community?
Well, being part of a tech community comes with many benefits. The importance of community in the tech industry cannot be overemphasized.
Networking
Being a part of a tech community allows you to network, collaborate and connect with people that share the same goals and interests as you, as well as people you look up to in the tech space. The tech community gives you direct access to people that are experienced in different fields. Another rewarding benefit of joining a community is, you get to sell yourself and also get the opportunity to meet potential recruiters and investors.
Mentoring
Another significant role of communities in tech is mentorship as it bridges the gap between expertise and beginners. Mentors inspire, help, and guide people in their areas of expertise. They help review your work, give feedback that helps you improve, and help you make good career decisions. As I've said earlier, being a newbie and having little to no knowledge in the field you're in can be challenging and frustrating. However, being part of a community gives you access to people who guide you on the roadmap and valuable resources to take up-skill.
Career advancement and personal development
Tech communities create a platform for individuals in the tech industry to thrive. Joining a tech community enhances your personal and professional growth. Furthermore, the tech community is a good way to build yourself and your brand. They organize networking events, training programs, and mentorship meetings where you gain exposure and visibility in your field.
Support and Motivation
The hard truth is that learning a tech skill or being in the tech field sometimes gets very overwhelming. Oftentimes, the going gets tough, especially as a newbie. Also, no matter how long you've been in the industry, there are days when you get unmotivated or feel stuck. However, being part of a tech community provides support and motivation. it reminds you to be consistent and motivates you to stay continuous in your journey. Aside from career advancement and technical support, the tech community enables you to build sustainable relationships and a great support system.
Conclusion
The tech community is a platform that contributes to your growth and allows you to network, make useful connections, and share ideas with like minds
Some great communities in tech are; Ladies in tech, web3 Ladies, Women who code, sheCodeAfrica, Stack Overflow, Google Developers Group (GDG)
The best thing you can do for yourself as a techie is to be part of an environment that enhances your growth. Sometimes, finding yourself in the right environment is what you need to succeed and transform your career. Join a tech community and grab every opportunity that presents itself.
What are you waiting for?
Are you still having second thoughts about joining a tech community? You shouldn’t even be having second thoughts about joining one. By now, you should be making plans on how to make research on the right community in your field that aligns with your goal.