This is probably the most difficult practice of an IT Professional. Software and Hardware changes faster and faster every day. The amount of information that may be known in any field related to IT, DevOps, SysAdmins, Architects, Project Managers, Agile Coaches, grows exponentially.
Still, we must find time to learn and be educated about tools, platforms, operating systems, devices, services, etc. if we want to remain relevant. Sure, there are still programmers writing COBOL today, or working with canned products over a decade old. You can probably take a gamble that those products or tools will continue to be used for a period of time.
But, if you are using contemporary tools, often exploding onto the scene because new platforms are emerging, or they lend themselves to producing solid software more quickly, or hardware has changed because of new designs that are more efficient, then you will need to be a continuous student. Uncle Bab said, “You will probably have a 40 hour day job, and need to figure out how to do continuing education, most likely another 20 hours per week.”
Let’s face it. If we have a balanced life, with family and other interests, this is difficult to achieve. Uncle Bob puts it in another perspective, “what doctor would you want operating on you? The doctor who remains current with medical techniques and breakthroughs, or the one who only works 40 hours per week?” Maybe there is a difference between the two professions. If I was paid the same rate as a doctor, perhaps it would change my perspective.
Regardless of income or balance, it is still important to have that thirst for knowledge in areas you already know, and areas that you may not have experienced as yet. How about writing a smart phone app instead of RPG? Why not write some controller code using some of the inexpensive controller boards, instead of writing an MVC web application. Do something different to open your horizons.
At the end of the day, we need to be thirsty for new knowledge. Just because you can never learn it all, there is no reason not to continue learning as much as you can. There is no light at the end of the tunnel, because others are always extending it. The responsiblity and effort is your, to see how far down the tunnel you can get.
Cheers,
Ben