I'm considering taking time off work (up to 6 months) to invest in learning some new skills. I'm 28, have a solid background in math, and my professional experience is mostly in finance (sigh). What are some useful (technical or non-technical) skills that it's worth investing into learning?
Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
1–10 of 70 posts
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#2Why "finance (sigh)"?
I'm aware HN doesn't have the highest regard for the finance industry, but I'd like to hear your perspective: What makes you not so proud of your current skills?
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#3Your question is hard to answer because it's not clear what your goal is. More math is always useful, but you wrote you already have a solid background there. Public speaking, communication, and "people skills" in general are always good to have and might become more important later on in your career.
If you want a fun list of topics, here are some off the top of my head that i might look at in your situation:
- fully homomorphic encryption
- recurrent neural networks & machine learning
- proving computer programs correct & computer-aided mathematical proofs
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#4Why "finance (sigh)"? I'm aware HN doesn't have the highest regard for the finance industry, but I'd like to hear your perspective: What makes you not so proud of your current skills?
I think "sigh" implies low work satisfaction. OP didn't come here for a therapy session, he wants to learn new valuable skills!
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#5Sales. Learn to sell something. If you're taking time off, why not consider doing phone cold calling for a charity. This is particularly brutal but probably a sharp, free course in improving your sales and cold calling skills.
Everyone needs sales skills, whether it is to understand why people buy, or just to 'sell' ideas, whether pitching to investors or convincing a partner/superior or team to implement your idea.
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#6Code. Teach yourself how to code.
Create a project that you would find useful.
Given your finance background, create a system to manage your personal finances or automate some of the tasks you perform at work. You have the mathematics background, so logic isn't a hurdle. If the glove fits... code.
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#76 months is a long time. If I were to do the same, here's what I would work towards:
- Guitar
- Programming language in a paradigm I don't currently work in
- Join a hackerspace and build something small but new every few weeks
- Wildlife Photography
I spend a lot of time in the computer, and while I would not want to give that up, given the time, I'd like to pick up some skills which have bugger all to do with using a computer in a way that I'm used to. I'm already doing two of those things in my spare time, but if I had 6 months, I'd make those my primary focus, and add in the others as my "hobbies".
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#8Sales. Learn to sell something. If you're taking time off, why not consider doing phone cold calling for a charity. This is particularly brutal but probably a sharp, free course in improving your sales and cold calling skills. Everyone needs sales skills, whether it is to understand why people buy, or just to 'sell' ideas, whether pitching to investors or convincing a partner/superior or team to implement your idea.
On this note, design and web skills. Whatever you do, its useful to be able to make it look good. If you are working with people who aren't savvy with web tech then it is very useful to be able to knock good looking sites up quickly and will impress easily. learn how to use bootstrap templates to generate simple nice looking web pages. also bonus points for learning basic graphic design skills so you can generate your own images to customise your pages further.
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#9Code. Teach yourself how to code. Create a project that you would find useful. Given your finance background, create a system to manage your personal finances or automate some of the tasks you perform at work. You have the mathematics background, so logic isn't a hurdle. If the glove fits... code.
I second this. You are after all asking the Hackernews community! Like what dankruss says, you have a lot of complementary skills too.
I'd recommend some sort of dynamic web based language so you can launch your own startups in the future if you want.
Re: Ask HN: What skills would you invest in learning?
#10Code. Teach yourself how to code. Create a project that you would find useful. Given your finance background, create a system to manage your personal finances or automate some of the tasks you perform at work. You have the mathematics background, so logic isn't a hurdle. If the glove fits... code.
Which language though? Coming from someone who knows a bit but doesn't work in the field.