Career Planning: Investing In Your Skills
Part of this week, I'm in Seattle for a data visualization seminar with Edward Tufte, who is well known for his ability to bring his data to life. The seminar isn't cheap, though it includes about $200 worth of books in the price. When a friend gushed about this class to me I had to seriously think. Was the cost and time worth it, especially given certain fiscal realities?
When looking at these kinds of decisions, it can be hard to be objective, but you need to do it. Especially if you're unsure you can afford the price. Sometimes the reality is you can't afford not to. But you can't really make this decision unless you have a clear idea of where you're trying to go.
Most of us hate this question, but it's an important one. What are you trying to achieve with your career? If that's too big a question, try asking yourself where you want to be with your career in five years. What do you picture yourself doing?
Even if you're doing mostly what you're doing now, are you doing it somewhere else? Are you doing it better? Are you more tightly specialized? Have you widened your skillset?
Honestly, if you just see yourself doing the exact same thing in five years with no changes, you need to decide if you're happy with that. If you are, great. You have to do what's right for you. But if you're picturing that only because you have no idea, it might be time to sit down and ponder where you're trying to go. Because the answer to that question makes it much easier to know what skills are really worth investing in and what aren't at any given time.
In my case, I've discovered that (geek that I am) I like working with data and information. I've added Content Management Systems to my specialty area and have been doing quite a bit of work there as well in my usual Linux corners. I also have a number of project ideas for myself and in discussion with clients that involve dealing with data presentation. So looking at where I'm going in my own career tells me that this seminar is something worth attending in my case.
It helps that a friend swears to me that Tufte is very good and I'll get a lot out of the class. Even knowing that a subject is something you need to learn about doesn't mean that a specific class is the right one. Learning from the best can be great if you can afford it, but just because someone is a "name" doesn't mean they're the best, or that they're a good teacher.
But a bit of Google-fu, young grasshopper, should help you find out whether a particular class is worth it. Just try to take the comments with a grain of salt. There's always someone out there who's undeservedly bitter or way too fanboyish. I like to somewhat average the comments and see how they lean, and whether there are any real points made that tell me if I'll get something out of the class or not. For example, if it's on using a technology, I need labs with the lecture to really understand it, so all lecture may not be worth it to me. But there's probably one out there that I'd like better, so I just find that instead.
So remember, while its all too easy to spend away on a bunch of conferences and seminars that really go nowhere but toward an empty bank account, you also need to nurture your career. And sometimes that means taking the time and expense to learn from someone who has a lot to teach. At worst, you could start by just reading their blog or picking up one of their books/videos/etc.
