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Lifelong learners recognize that learning just doesn't happen in school or at work—it's an ongoing process that can happen anytime, anywhere. In this video, learn what it means to be a lifelong learner as a software developer.
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Technology is rapidly changing.
0:00
As soon as you've learned one language,
library, framework, or
0:02
tool, another appears that makes
what you've just learned obsolete.
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As a software developer, you'll experience
the pace of technological innovation
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in a very direct, personal way.
0:15
The technology that you learn and
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use today won't be the same technology
that you'll learn and use in the future.
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This treadmill of change
feels disheartening.
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Time spent learning should
never feel like time wasted.
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Luckily, this couldn't be
further from the truth.
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Learning something today,
even if it's obsolete tomorrow,
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prepares you to be a better developer.
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Every time that you learn a new
technology, whether it's a language,
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library, framework or
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tool, you grow your basic
understanding of software development.
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You'll begin to see the commonalities
between different technologies.
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You'll start to realize that they're not
as different as they might initially seem.
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And the more you learn, the more
easily you'll see these similarities.
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You'll also get better at
the learning process itself.
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Just like with any skill,
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the more often you practice learning,
the easier it'll become.
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That will give you the ability to
rev up quickly on new technologies
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as they emerge.
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Being a software developer
means being a lifelong learner.
1:15
Lifelong learners recognize that learning
doesn't just happen in school or at work.
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It's an ongoing process that
can happen anytime, anywhere.
1:25
They're self-motivated, self-directed, and
always excited to learn something new.
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But let me be clear.
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Being a lifelong learner
as a software developer
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isn't about learning each latest and
greatest, shiny technology as it emerges.
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There are a wide range of soft skills
that developers also need to learn,
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from communication skills
to time management skills.
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Except that it's impossible
to learn everything, and
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treat your available learning
time as a limited resource.
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That will help you to budget
your time carefully and
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make the right decisions
about what to learn.
2:01
As a lifelong learner, you might feel
like you have to always be learning.
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But it's okay to take breaks.
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Doing so
will help you to stay committed and focus.
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Remember, lifelong learning isn't
to sprint, it's a marathon.
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So learn how to pace yourself.
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But it also helps to develop
good learning habits.
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Schedule time for learning, so
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that it becomes part of
your daily regular routine.
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Have a plan, so that you know what it
is that you need or want to learn.
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And track your progress by keeping a log,
or writing a journal or blog.
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Be sure to also vary
your learning methods.
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Mix things up by taking an in
person class, or by reading a book.
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Or collaborate with some other
developers who are learning the same
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things as you are.
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Working on a project as a group is a great
way to practice what you have learned.
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The benefits of being a lifeong
learner are numerous.
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Lifelong learning keeps you relevant
to employers, your mind sharp,
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fuels creativity and innovation,
increases social interaction.
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And more than anything, it's fun.
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Become a better developer today.
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Start your journey as a lifelong learner.
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