6 Strategic Secrets Every Tech Newbie Needs in 2024

Temidayo Adefioye
2 min readDec 4, 2023
Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com

The struggle to conquer a new tech skill can be real. The excitement of diving into the unknown, the thrill of mastering something groundbreaking—it's all there. But trust me, I’ve been down that road of wanting to sprint to the finish line, only to realize that the journey matters just as much as the destination. Learning is no myth; it’s a craft, a process. And once you crack the code, you’ll find yourself unlocking the doors to endless possibilities.

As we step into 2024, let’s shift gears a bit. Instead of buying into the hype of learning a tech skill in record time, let’s embrace a different mindset. Let’s strategize. Because having a plan in place can save you from years of aimless wandering. So, here are six tips to help you navigate the tech learning landscape with purpose in the coming year:

  1. Research with Purpose: Before you dive headfirst into learning a new skill, take a moment to research its demand in the market. Know where your efforts will be valued, and let that guide your journey.
  2. Plan with Intent: Every meaningful journey begins with a plan. Start by understanding why you want to acquire this skill, defining your learning outcomes, and set a clear end goal. Let that vision be the fuel for your learning drive.
  3. Curiosity Unleashed: Activate your curiosity. Question why things are done the way they are. The more you understand the “why” behind the processes, the deeper your understanding will be. Curiosity is your secret weapon in the learning arsenal.
  4. Community Matters, but Choose Wisely: Join a small group of like-minded learners. Inspire each other, share insights, and tackle challenges together. But hold off on joining larger communities until you have a clear sense of your goals. Too much information too soon can be overwhelming.
  5. Mentorship Magic: Consider getting a mentor. It’s not mandatory, but having someone guide you can smooth out your learning curve. A mentor helps you focus on the skills that truly matter, sparing you from the noise of irrelevant information.
  6. Build Relationships, Not Just Skills: As you immerse yourself in learning, don’t forget to invest in relationships. Build symbiotic connections with fellow learners and professionals. The people you meet along the way could shape your career in ways you can’t even imagine.

So here’s to a year of purposeful learning, strategic moves, and meaningful connections. May your tech journey in 2024 be not just about acquiring skills but about crafting a path that leads you to where you truly want to be.

Happy learning!

Temidayo

--

--

Temidayo Adefioye

Founder, CodeNest Africa | [in]structor | Software Engineer | Speaker | Author