The Pragmatic Programmer
A while ago I was browsing online resources for information about programming and I had come across a reading list that recommended "The Pragmatic Programmer" by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas. I couldn't find it in the Ocean State Library System, but our awesome local librarians were able to track down a copy for me from the Salem State College Library in Massachusetts. Whoever says that library's are obsolete simply doesn't read enough. I'm so happy I have this book in my hands now and for free; thank you Tiverton Library.
It was written in 2000, which in technology-years is ancient, but it deals with general principles and universal problems, so for the most part, it really isn't very dated.
One section I love talks about investing in your "knowledge portfolio". They're speaking my language. The basic idea is that the value of knowledge declines unless you continue to invest in it. Technology advances, market forces shift, environments are always changing and the value of your knowledge can quickly become obsolete or devalued. "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. -Benjamin Franklin".
Managing your "knowledge portfolio" isn't so different than managing your financial portfolio.
- Invest Regularly (Learn constantly)
- Diversify (The more technologies you are comfortable with, the better you will be able to adjust to change)
- Manage Risk (Don't put all of your technical eggs in one basket)
- Buy Low, Sell High (It can pay off to learn an emerging technology before it becomes popular)
- Review and Rebalance
I guess I already knew all of that, but I never really thought of it as good, sound advice from a career advancement perspective. I just saw learning and trying new technologies as essential to staying passionate about what I do and I simply trusted that persistence and experience will pay off in the end. I like how they dissected those ideas and provided clarity that I can use to make better choices about my goals and how I spend my time.