Now a days the software companies work has changed. A new trend is emerging - The need for T-shaped software engineers.
Software organization no longer looking for people who can only do one thing exceptionally and do everything in a mediocre way.
Organization wants people who can go deeper when it matters but also be able to deliver other higher tasks. It is a critical aspects for their business, it is making them highly adaptable.
Many techies are unaware of the so-called "T-shaped" terms and its importance.
So, if you want to more adaptable, valuable, or want to quickly get a new job, becoming T-shaped developer can significantly help you.
After digging deep down into this article, *you will get the idea about : *
- Distinguish between Generalist and Specialist.
- What's a T-shaped developer.
- How to become T-shaped developer.
Generalist Developer
As it's often said :
A jack of All trades, but a Master of None.
A Generalist has a broader view of different fields, tech stacks, skills and other key areas. He posses basic understanding and knowledge of tools in handy.
You're staying on the surface of your chosen tech stack and skills.
A generalist acquires skills across a broad range of areas, developing expertise horizontally rather than deeply in a single field. They gain knowledge by working with different technologies, which helps them adapt quickly to various tasks.
Using analogies allows them to draw connections between different domains, making it easier to understand new concepts. This ability to relate ideas across disciplines makes a generalist more self-sufficient, as they can apply diverse experiences to solve problems effectively.
However, Generalist usually fail when faced with challenging tasks and situation where deep knowledge and understanding required. It's not enough to be "on the surface of tech stack" when a task requires higher expertise and proficiency.
Specialist Developer
A specialist is experts in a specific tech stack, field, technology and key areas. Where he posses deep understanding and expertise in a specific tool.
As a specialist, your skills will grow vertically.
Specialist tend to focus and work on one technology and area of expertise. He masters in it, can solve complex problems while generalist can't do. When he has mastered a tool or technology, he usually have higher efficiency and productivity.
Becoming a specialist is challenging and can sometimes be limiting. Focusing only on one technology or field may not always provide the best long-term benefits, as industries and trends constantly evolve.
If you rely on just one approach or skill, you may try to apply it to every problem, even when it's not the best fit.
The Best from both :
As we see, being either a Generalist or a specialist is not so great. Isn't something in between ?
Yes, there is T-shaped software developer.
The best from both.
The T-shaped developer
A T-shaped developer is an expert in at least one area and has a broader knowledge and deep understanding of multiple areas of tech stack.
As a T-shaped developer your skills grow both horizontally and vertically. "T-shaped individual" because the distribution of skills look like a "T".
T-shaped developers tend to be an incredible resource in one's business they are experts in at least one field and have a basic knowledge and good understanding about others..
This makes them valuable because they can deliver a different set of tasks and feature as well as solve complex problems when present.
However organization business demands or expect sometimes T-shaped developer to be an expert in all fields. That's no realistic. Of course T-shaped developer can quickly learn and grasp a new tool and tech stack, but it will require additional time and effort.
How to Become T-shaped developer :
There is real need for such professionals, Businesses need them.
If you look into job description in various job platforms where it is posted, you will find there are more than one technologies one should know.
Being a T-shaped developer you can not only interchangeable role in your team but also the chances of your firing are low. Even if they do, you will quickly find another job because of being **T-shaped **developer.
To becoming T-shaped developer :
- You need to grow your skill horizontally and vertically.
- Growing vertically is quite challenging it takes time and efforts, it non linear path. Need to be proactive learner.
- Whenever get an opportunity to work on another project or task, grab it. It's a great way to expand your skills.
- To grow horizontally, We need to find out its significance in terms of futuristic skills and its returns. Then only it makes sense to master them and devote time.
Don't worry if you forget details when focusing on depth. Deep knowledge can be regained quickly when needed.
So the crux is - Nowadays, there is real time need for T-shaped developer , embrace it. Take the best of Generalist and Specialist to become T-shaped developer.
A T-shaped developer :
> "Skilled in many areas while excelling in a few."
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