A couple of decades ago, when I was teaching myself to be an efficient time manager, I posted three-by-five index cards (you know, those things we used before Post-It Notes) all over my home and office. They all asked the same question: "Is this the most important use of your time RIGHT NOW?"
After reading those cards about three million times, I was finally able to ask the question subconsciously, which became the cornerstone of my development as a pretty effective time manager. Busy people need to be good time managers, and these days it's hard to find anyone busier than a gainfully employed Web builder.
If you want to stay gainfully employed, though, you should always be thinking about your career development. But when you're already six months behind on your project list, and you feel like you spend every waking moment in front of your computer, it's hard to find the time to figure out what path your career should be taking. Yet you know on some level that if you don't make good decisions, you won't have a career. All you'll have is a job. For a while.
Here, then, are my suggestions for career development, depending on where your skills are at the moment--based not only on my opinion of what the hot technologies are, but also on my conversations with dozens of people who hire Web builders. Concentrating your learning in the following areas will move your Web career forward as efficiently and as effectively as possible.
If you're a beginning Web builder, you should learn basic HTML first. Don't get too buried in the details, though, because you're coming onboard at a time when the real key to advancement is mastering a good layout tool such as Macromedia Dreamweaver, Allaire HomeSite, or NetObjects Fusion.
Skill-building resources for beginners
Already know HTML pretty well? Then you need to recognize that to have a smart, highly interactive site in the future, you'll need to learn JavaScript. Not only is it essential if you want to use dynamic HTML (DHTML) for animating your site and spiffing up the interface, it's going to enable your pages to interact with server-side activity.
Skill-building resources for HTML experts
Maybe you're a graphic designer who doesn't really want to learn anything resembling programming. I'm not sure that's a viable long-term position, but in the short-term, learn Macromedia Flash or Director. As I said recently, Macromedia's new tools are winners for creating rich, gracefully degrading Web sites.
Skill-building resources for graphic designers
Those of you who are Web programmers and scripters should be looking at two career paths. First, if you're working on a site with a small team where people often wear multiple hats, take the time to learn Adobe ImageStyler or, if you're a Microsoft Office shop, NetStudio. That way, when the graphics guru is out sick, on vacation, or just testy, you can crank out quick, slick graphics on demand. Second, master the new Java Foundation Classes (JFC) components, also known as Swing. I have a suspicion that lots of sites are going to look to Java to spruce up user interfaces in coming months; those who know how to do that will be in great demand.
Skill-building resources for programmers
Database experts should be delving deeply into XML. Not because XML is going to become a usable language for data repositories--which it won't since it's way too thick--but because it's going to be the de facto standard for data interchange. You'll be forced to find ways to translate data into XML and vice versa. Might as well get started.
Skill-building resources for database pros
You need to at least monitor dozens of other technologies, of course. But if you find your niche and follow my advice, you'll have your career moving ahead. Don't be left behind as the Web continues and even accelerates its rapid advances.
