Becoming more technically literate will help you work better with engineers, identify chances to automate or improve your workflow, and become a whiz in the tools you use to get your job done.
– Technical literacy provides a path to excel as a non-engineer in a field dominated by engineers.
Technical Literacy does not mean learning to code
Being technically literate simply means that you’re comfortable with the basics of how technology works, and critically, you understand the area you work in with more depth.
- Useful and practical technical literacy has two layers: The base (the basics of software and hardware) and The domain (the deeper knowledge that’s relevant to your job)
- There are two big ones for folks at startups and tech companies: understanding and working with developers and being an expert at the tools you need to get your job done
Some tips for becoming more technically literate
Make a plan
- Take a look at your company and your role, and identify areas where being more technical could give you an edge.
- Find a developer friend or two
- Get good at Google
- Company-specific blogs
- The best content for explaining tech concepts sits in two places
- YouTube
- You’ll need a concrete understanding of the language and how it works
What companies can do to help
Education stipends for continuing learning, conferences, books, and online classes
- Dedicated time offered to employees to learn coding basics and technical foundations
- Buddy programs with company engineers for interested employees to get up to speed with internal infrastructure and contributions
- Giving employees the resources and time to uplevel their technical literacy will pay dividends in the long term
The importance of working with and understanding software engineers
Developers can be some of the most curious, thoughtful, and creative people to work with.
- For some roles, working with developers is part and parcel of the job description. Understanding the basics of what code works, how it works, and what developers are doing will help break down barriers and engender collaborative relationships.
Technical Literacy on the Job: Working with Tools
The better you understand the software your team relies on, the more proficient you’ll be in it.
- Integrations: The tools you use day-to-day integrate with other parts of your company’s stack, and with integrations come problems.
