Keeping up with technology can be a challenge. I think we all can agree on that. With a demanding job, young kids, and general adulting, it can be pretty difficult to find the time to stay in touch with the latest trends. However, we know that you have to find a way to keep up. If not, you run the risk of being out of date, and slowly your tech skills and knowledge become obsolete. Additionally, to grow in your organization or potentially find another role outside your company, it’s important to be knowledgeable about the latest developments.

With that being said, here are some of the ways I try to stay current with the latest trends amid my very packed adulting life. What are yours?

Tune In: Podcasts And Audiobooks

Podcasts (and audiobooks) are my go-to for staying in touch with the latest trends. With my relatively long commute to work, I use that time to listen to podcasts that keep me informed about what is going on in the larger tech world. I’ve heard someone refer to it as my mobile university.

Some of my favorite podcasts right now are Software Engineering Daily, How I Built This, The Engineering Leadership Podcast, and The Prof G Pod. Between these four, I stay pretty in tune with what’s going on. Additionally, some audiobooks (which I generally get recommendations for from the podcasts) also keep my mind occupied during these commutes.

Learn and Earn: Certification & Learning Platforms

So I have a little secret. I give myself the task of completing certifications, and in the process, I get to learn quite a lot. I know there are mixed feelings about certifications and their value; however, I believe it’s the process of learning that is more important.

Using platforms like Udemy, PluralSight, and even YouTube has been super awesome for me. Sometimes I spend as little as just two hours a week. Again, the week is packed with adulting, but just a little time each week is enough.

Hands-On Learning: Experimentation

With the learning platforms comes the opportunity to experiment. Whether it’s playing around with a new code framework or setting up gateways and lambdas in AWS, every so often I put into practice what I’ve learned and play around on these platforms. Don’t ask me to go back to my full-time SDET and Dev days though. That would require more time than I actually have. But it’s fun to play around when it’s low stakes.

Connect and Grow: Conferences & Local Meetups

When possible, I try to attend local meetups in my area, and I shoot for at least one conference a year. Conferences can be pricey, but if your company is willing to sponsor you, that’s a big advantage. If not, I still think it’s worth the investment on multiple fronts: latest trends, networking, and getting away from your routine.

For local meetups, a lot of times they’re free. You can always go to meetup.com to find a local meetup in your area and search by area of interest. If you’re in a mid to large size city, you’ll definitely find something in your area.

Collaborate and Innovate: Sharing Ideas

If you have friends in technology, it’s not a bad idea to share your ideas with them every so often. Now I know this is a bit dicey, especially if it’s an idea with potential financial gain in the future, but sharing those ideas sparks conversations that you can learn a lot from.

For me, I’m constantly coming up with some idea or another, and bouncing those ideas with close friends gives me insights into things I probably didn’t think about. It also exposes me to additional resources or latest trends that I hadn’t been aware of previously.

So that’s my way of staying current. What about you? What are some ways you stay current with the latest technology trends? It’s a pretty fast-paced industry, and staying stagnant will definitely leave you behind. Gotta find a