A roadmap is just like blueprint, a summary of processes and steps leading to a particular destination, you can liken it to the road, where you must definitely have to follow a path to be able to reach your destination.
From the webinar on designing a tech roadmap by Yewande Odumosu, my take home are as follows: I first got to understand that a road map could be a linear or nonlinear path, linear is applicable when the tech progression has to do with related fields while when they are not then it is non-linear.
- In determining your roadmap, you have to first evaluate where you are now, know what motivates you, what you like and what people say about you.
- Then, the next step is to understand your strength and skills, understand the skills that come easily to you and what you want to learn more. The skills could be either hard skills or soft skills.
- Career roles are proven ways one can switch, move or grow in tech. if a job opportunity fits where you are going, then go for it, do not always look at where you are starting from.
Another take home for me from the webinar were the practical actions Ms. Yewande outlined that one can take while transitioning into tech in Africa. They are:
- Explore interests and taking an introductory course(s)
- Volunteer and trying out projects
- Join a community
- Get a mentor or a senior in the field you could shadow.
- Identify transferable skills
- Build on existing knowledge and start applying for jobs and opportunities.
In her words, we have to work on differentiating ourselves internally and externally and getting noticed, this involves being proactive, having a great attitude, dressing and acting a level higher than your current role. Always share your works and learning online, no one will see you if you do not show them what you are doing.
Conclusively, I got to understand that we may not all figure it out at first, but the most important thing is the right attitude, determination and passion. The path gets clearer while you work through. I hope that you reading this today will take a bold step and trust the process, clarity will surely find its way to you.