In today’s rapidly evolving job market, professionals need to embrace a mindset of perpetual growth and continuous learning. Whether they choose to deepen their expertise in their current field or diversify their skill set by venturing into a new domain, they need to be proactive and adaptable. This is the advice of Kishan Sundar, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer – Key Accounts at Maveric Systems, a leading IT solutions provider. In an exclusive interview with TechGig, he shared his insights on career development, upskilling, and the latest trends in the IT industry.

How to assess your strengths and areas for development

According to Sundar, the first step in the journey of professional growth is introspection and self-assessment. He said, “One first needs to assess their strengths and the areas in which they want to excel. Based on that, define a path to stay ahead of the curve.” He added that one can either master the current skill or explore a new one, depending on their interest and goals. He explained, “If you are continuing with your current focus, then you are enhancing your depth in that area and specializing in it. However, if you are moving to a new interest area or an emerging field, then you are diversifying your skill set.”

Sundar also emphasized the importance of adopting a mindset of continuous learning, which will help professionals stay sharp and ahead of the curve. He said, “Whatever it is, one needs to adopt a mindset of continuous learning, which will help you stay sharp and ahead of the curve.”

How to build a network of people and communities with similar areas of expertise

Sundar also suggested that professionals should build a network of people and communities with similar areas of expertise and become active on social media platforms to tap into a wider network. He said, “This will help you to learn from others, share your knowledge, get feedback, and find new opportunities. You can also participate in hackathons, challenges, webinars, and podcasts to showcase your skills and learn from the best in the industry.”

Sundar also advised professionals to keep themselves updated with the latest trends and technologies in the IT industry, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, and blockchain. He said, “These are the areas that are driving the digital transformation and innovation in the BFSI and retail sectors, which are our core focus areas. We are constantly exploring and implementing these technologies to provide customized and cutting-edge solutions to our customers.”

How to balance between work and personal life

Sundar also shared his views on how to balance between work and personal life, especially in the post-pandemic scenario, where remote working and flexible work options have become the norm. He said, “It is important to have a clear demarcation between work and personal life, and to set boundaries and expectations with your colleagues and managers. You also need to have a dedicated workspace at home, where you can work without any distractions and interruptions. You also need to take regular breaks, exercise, meditate, and pursue your hobbies and passions, which will help you to relax and rejuvenate.”

Sundar also stressed the importance of having a positive attitude and a growth mindset, which will help professionals to overcome any challenges and difficulties they may face in their career. He said, “You need to be optimistic, resilient, and confident in your abilities and potential. You also need to be open to feedback, criticism, and failure, which are part of the learning process. You also need to be humble, respectful, and collaborative, which will help you to build trust and rapport with your peers, managers, and customers.”