“Improvise, adapt and survive.” It’s not a password for those who want to survive in the jungle, but at work [PODCAST]

The tech industry is not just about hard skills. Increasingly important for employers soft skills. What we learned in school is important. However, employers pay more and more attention to our ability to cooperate with others, independence in solving complex problems and willingness to absorb new knowledge.

Soft skills are becoming more and more important. “No digital product is the work of one person”

Do we have to get used to the idea that we acquire and develop our skills throughout our professional career? In the latest episode of the TechnoTerapia podcast, we asked Paulina Krempa, who works as a Lead UX Designer at Orange Polska.

Are only hard skills or soft skills important in the technology industry?

Both types of skills are needed in any job. The ability to talk to people with very different experience and competences, and often with different needs, is the key

she said.

What soft skills are the most important?

I would put communicativeness, the ability to express my thoughts in a clear way, in the first place

she added. She also explained that it is easier and more efficient to work with people who can identify with the product. Therefore, commitment to work is what employers are looking for.

Studies do not always prepare for the practical side of work

Another issue discussed in the podcast was the issue of education. Does a freshly minted student know what awaits him at work? – Studies do not prepare for the practical aspects of a career – said the expert.

However, solutions that allow you to develop your skills are available.

As part of the Orange Digital Center, we are opening a School of Coding, which will deal with the education of strictly hard skills, but will also emphasize professional development, development of soft skills

she added.

Lack of skills development threatens digital exclusion

The podcast also asked about whether in the near future we will all have to like technology, because its importance will grow in almost every industry and every profession.

– More and more processes, even recruitment processes, are now carried out only digitally. And even young people are not always able to navigate digital tools, she said, adding that this threatens digital exclusion.

Technology as an opportunity for re-industry

Developing soft skills also allows you to find yourself better on the labor market. Even when we want to rebrand. Some professions will disappear and new ones will appear.

– The most important skill in the labor market is ability to adapt to new conditions – said the expert. In her opinion, openness and willingness to experiment will help in finding a job. – It’s not about long courses, more studies – she said.

She also admitted that she is the best proof of effective re-industry. Her primary education is biotechnology. In her current job, however, she manages to use the experience gained in the past. – The most exciting for me was when something – literally or figuratively – exploded. And the question “why” had to be answered. This is very useful to me now, she said.

The IT industry in Poland is still there hungry for specialists with different experience. – People with psychological education are sought in my field. It seems far from IT, but these experiences can be used in digital products, said Paulina Krempa.

How can soft skills be developed? Why will the importance of technology grow? We invite you to listen to the latest episode of the TechnoTerapia podcast.

Paulina Krempa – She is involved in in design work and development of the Orange Flex service. He values ​​creating solutions based on conclusions from quantitative and qualitative data. She gained experience by implementing projects in the area of ​​banking, in the public sector and in the game development industry. They share their knowledge, e.g. supporting NGOs and acting as a mentor.

The partner of the episode is Orange Polska.