“Guy, forget Tech. I don’t see anything there. I have been on it for 3 years but I can’t seem to make headways. Not even a single gig. All those things are scam.” Josh vibrated.

“Hold on, hold on, I am your friend yes, but I am not guy, lol. Has it gotten to the extent of calling me, guy?”

He laughed. “All I’m saying is, Tech Skills are over hyped.”

My friend, Josh has been on this journey like he said, for three years. He is as some would say “self-taught” or “Internet-taught” and the truth is, Josh is not fit to handle gigs yet, I do tell him.

Discussing with Josh, I made him know the importance of learning from one source to avoid information overload and most importantly, having someone hold your hand as you build a career in Tech. This is known as “Mentorship-based learning.”

The UNESCO International Bureau of Education sees mentorship-based learning as a relationship between a less experienced individual and a more experienced person known as a mentor through which the mentor facilitates and supports learning. 

It can involve a one-on-one relationship or a network of multiple mentors.

The purpose of mentoring is to help mentees tap into the knowledge of those with more experience than themselves and learn faster than they would on their own. It is also an opportunity to grow their network and connect with leaders rather than just their peers.

So the internet can be likened to an ocean with all kinds of creatures, some of same species but they sure have their distinctive features. The same can be said about course materials available on the internet where you have different people teach their own perspective on the same matter. 

The negative effect on the learner? Information overload, Confusion and frustration. Take for instance Digital Marketing. There are lots of videos on YouTube about it but all are different with a thin similarity which is difficult to spot.

Relying on the internet to learn a Tech skill will leave you picking tiny fractions of information with no guidance on how to piece them together. Because, the course creators are not readily available to attend to the learners.

This is why it is important to be intentional when choosing where to learn a skill. And choosing a Tech skill service provider like Mentortribes that leverages on mentorship-based learning makes a whole lot of difference. Tech is hard already. Navigating through it without help is a journey you wouldn’t want to make.

On the flip side, Mentorship-based learning will save you all the rigors and hassles of having to figure things out on your own.

Here are some of the advantages of Mentorship-based learning in Tech:

1. Shortens the learning curve: With mentorship-based learning, you are guided by mentors on the dos and don’ts of your chosen Tech path as well as industry best practices. You also learn what you are supposed to straight up rather than experimenting on trials and errors and in turn waste time unnecessarily. Having someone mentor you will cut a journey of three years by half or even less.

2. Leverage on the experiences of mentors: The mistakes, the lessons, the toils have all been done by mentors. They know where the jobs are and how to get them. Holding your hands means you do not need to do the searching. They have cracked the code and you just have to leverage on their experiences to excel.

3. A support system: Is there a feeling greater than having someone you can call on when you feel stuck? I doubt there is. I was discussing with a friend and he said that for the past three days he has been trying to troubleshoot a particular issue but it wasn’t working. Imagine that he has a mentor, he would not have to waste such amount of time on a single task.

Having a support system also comes in handy when you feel like giving up. Because the truth is, days would come when you feel like nothing is working and you would want out. A mentor would therefore hold you down while using himself as a reference point on why you should persevere.

4. Have someone refer you to people that matter: A mentor is that one person that would mention your name in a room where your expertise is needed. You wonder why you have not gotten a job in Tech and someone whom you know when he started learning, finishes and gets one easily? Or why some people get higher paying jobs than others? They have people on whose back they ride: mentors!

With Mentorship-based learning, you get to connect with industry leaders rather than your peer.

Working in the Tech industry invariably means you get to spend a lot of time on your laptop and smartphones and for all we know, the lights emanating from these screens are not healthy for the eyes.

The eye is among the most important organs of the human body. Without it, we cannot function optimally so it’s necessary we take precautions to ensure that our eyes are healthy.

Too much screen time can be damaging to the eyes but for someone who makes a living off the internet, these lights also known as Blue Lights are unavoidable.

Blue Lights, simply put are a range of lights that contain the highest amount of energy in the visible spectrum. Your laptops, smartphones, your LED televisions all have one thing in common: Blue Lights of which excessive exposure to, have been found to cause certain damages to the retina.

Too much exposure to blue Lights can cause Macular degeneration (which can lead to permanent vision loss), and Digital eye strain.

According to Charles Awuzie, a Nigerian TechPreneur based in South Africa, one of the good advices we should no longer take in 2023 is “Reduction of Screen time”. Just like he said, we now work, study, hold meetings and carryout transactions on devices and screens. Reducing screen time will mean reducing productivity and for a large part of the world population, it will mean putting a limit to our source of income especially, people in Tech. This does not mean he cared less about eye health.

What can you then do to keep your eyes healthy and out of harm’s way even as you work in the Tech space?

1. Blue light filters: if you are always exposed to the “screen”, a convenient way to reduce exposure is to apply blue light filters to your device screen. These filters are available for smartphones, computer screens and tablets and you can easily purchase them where computer devices/electronics are sold.

2. Protective eye wears: wearing blue light blocking glasses, yellow-tinted computer glasses or glasses with anti-reflective lenses can also help keep your eyes safe. 

3. Ensure you rest your eyes: choose a time when you usually get off work and use that period to rest your eyes.it could be during the weekend when you do not have much to do on your computer.

4. Eat foods that support eye health: consuming less junks and more healthy foods will help you stay fit. Special attention should be paid to carrots, bell peppers, kale, spinach, broccoli, strawberries, oysters, salmon, eggs, meats and healthy fats as they promote and support good eye health.

Having a career in Tech and especially working remotely means we cannot totally avoid exposure to Blue lights but we can take measures to keep safe while on the screen. Do the best you can to support your eye health.

Working in the Tech industry invariably means you get to spend a lot of time on your laptop and smartphones and for all we know, the lights emanating from these screens are not healthy for the eyes.  But for someone who makes a living off the internet, these lights also known as Blue Lights are unavoidable. How then do you manage to keep your career running whilst prioritizing your eye health? 

BLUE LIGHT AND EYE HEALTH: A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN THE TECH

We advocate learning Technological skills. This is because there are endless possibilities and opportunities as well as flexible work environment in the Tech space.

As much as technological skills are trending, and one cannot go wrong with them, one’s reasons for venturing in matter a lot. Every action is backed up by a motive and pursuing a career in Tech is not an exception.

It is your reasons for going into a thing that help you stay put when the going gets tough and it doesn’t seem rosy and, it is definitely the wrong reasons that see people giving up on something when it turns out not being as they expected.

Here are some wrong Reasons people go into Tech

Money: Before you say “What?” please calm down, please, LOL! Are you calm now? Great! We know money is good and necessary for everyday living. We know also, that money is one of the reasons why we learn skills and go into businesses. Money is a motivation. But what happens when you go into Tech solely for the money and the money is not forthcoming? This is why passion is necessary. When you make money your only motivation and propelling force, frustration becomes inevitable.

Friends: Some people go into Tech and venture into particular area because they have friends that are in that particular niche who are hitting the money big. You do not have same passion as them so it would be wrong to toe the Tech path because of your friends.

To prove a point: The issue of “others are doing it, why can’t I” or “I can do better than what he or she is currently doing”, is a very wrong reason to take an action most especially in Tech. others are into it, and so what if you are not cut out for it?

For the title:  Some people fancy the titles “Tech Bro”, “Tech Sis”, “Programmer”, etc. These are mere titles and are worth nothing if the bearer doesn’t know his onion or, do you not know that there are broke Tech bro and sis?

Look beyond the above reasons and find what motivates you naturally. Do not go into Tech because your friends are all gone in or because you feel that it is the new gold or because it is all the rave.

It is also important to speak with someone who is in Tech to mentor and counsel you and to help you discover your why.

Wrong reasons why People venture into Tech

That’s right, you want to learn a digital skill.

It’s awesome to improve on oneself and that also includes improving financially.

You have access to the internet so it’s dumb to think that you do not know what’s trending: Technological skills!

Call it digital skill, soft skill, technological skill, it all means the same thing: A skill that requires more of intellectual/mental work than physical strength to carry out. It is all the rave and yes! It is worth it.

If you want to learn a tech skill or you wish to pursue a career in tech but seem overwhelmed with the many options that you do not know which is best for you, then read till the end and we promise you will gain clarity.

There is a surge in interest in the Tech space in recent years and it can only go up. But why the surge? The answer is increase in Technological innovations which require the knowledge of some skills (technological skills) to navigate.

This surge has changed a lot of things including the way people live and work, giving a large number of the world population the freedom to live and work remotely and smartly.

It could be overwhelming deciding which one skill to pursue a career in. This is because there are loads of these skills out there but the truth is that, there is that one skill for you and all it takes to change your financial status is just, that one skill.

Here is our take on how to know which is that “one skill” for you.

Passion: when choosing a tech skill, go for what you have passion for. It is your passion that will keep you motivated and unrelenting when the money isn’t coming in yet.

Are you passionate about writing or designing then go for skills related to them.

Your strengths and weaknesses: let’s face it, you know your strength, your weaknesses, you know what you can start, finish and not abandon half way through.

You know if you are good with numbers or letters and that informs your decision. If you are cool with numbers then go for coding/programming related field. If it’s letters, look towards writing/ copy/marketing.

Do not be a run-away science student that jumps into more complex science in Tech, LOL! Actually some guys avoided sciences not because they cannot take the heat but because they were not properly taught at the formation stage.

If you feel you can do it, go for it then. You would want to do what you do with some level of ease, right? More like it comes naturally. This aid your learning process.

Duration: some skills take longer to learn than others. So, if your goal is to learn and perfect in a month or two and start earning, well, consider skills you can master quickly.

In summary, know what you can take, what your goals for the skill are, whether they be long term or short term.

And yes, no one skill is better than the other. It all boils down to what you make of it.

It could be overwhelming deciding which Technological skill to pursue a career in. This is because there are loads of these skills out there but the truth is that, there is that one skill for you and all it takes to change your financial status is just, that one skill.

If we want to set our children up for academic success, every child should learn to code. Coding for kids not only helps improve their mathematics and writing skills but also gives them valuable skills in life and eventually in the workforce.

“why should a child/my child learn coding?”

Well, this is why I will be sharing with you 8 Reasons why every child should learn to code

Put simply, Coding is the a method of communicating with a computer. It is using a language that a computer understands to give a computer instructions in order to perform specific functions. Coding allows us to create things such as computer software, websites, apps and video games. 

Before we get to talking about why every child should learn to code, you may have come here looking to find out HOW you can teach your child to code. It’s easy to get started teaching children to code, even if you don’t have any coding experience yourself! In fact, we’ve compiled a list of coding concepts even 5 year olds can understand here.

there are many ways to start teaching your kids coding and here are some ways out of the many ways:

You can get started coding with your kids today! It’s easy, and all you need are items you likely already have around your house. To first start learning the basics of coding, you don’t even need a computer! One of our most popular unplugged coding activities involves learning to code with a deck of cards! You can find out how to learn to code with a deck of cards here, or you can find our whole list of unplugged coding activities here.

If you’re like me, you struggle with appropriate screen time for your kids. I know that I got to the point where one more YouTube video of kids opening and reviewing toys was going to send me over the edge. We try to make our screen time as educational as possible. I even taught my son to play the piano using this app!

There are lots of amazing coding apps that can get your kids learning to code without even realizing it. Even popular games like Minecraft have an education edition that helps kids to learn to code. Our favorite coding app is this one. We have a whole list of the best coding apps for kids here.

One of the easiest ways to get a taste of programming basics for kids is with the fun and FREE hour of code activities available online. These activities are designed to take only an hour and can give kids and parents a chance to understand the importance of learning to code. We have an entire list of our favorite hour of code activities here.

Our coding worksheets will help to reinforce the basic coding concepts learned in the activities above. These worksheets are perfect for the classroom or home. Our worksheets cover the concepts of algorithms, sequencing, loops, variables, decomposition, branching and debugging.

But why is it important to learn how to code?

Why should kids learn coding? There are so many reasons to learn coding, it was hard to pick just 8 benefits of learning to code. From problem-solving skills, job opportunities, critical thinking, and creativity, there are so many reasons to learn programming. Let’s review why kids should learn to code.

Now these are 8 reasons why coding is important for kids to learn:

Programming helps children learn to problem-solve

Understanding computers and learning the basics of coding helps children to develop an appreciation of how things work. It also teaches them how software engineers use math in order to solve problems in a logical and creative way. This is an important reason that coding should be taught in schools, so children learn these skills while they are young.

The ability to solve problems is a trait that is useful in life in general. We all want our children to become excellent problem solvers so that they can overcome any adversity they face. Learning to code gives children the chance to learn this type of skill while they are young and it can help them along the way in life. This is one of the big reasons coding is important to learn.

Computer programming gives kids a challenge and helps them develop resilience

When children learn to code, they develop the ability to bounce back after failure. They learn that failure isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and in fact, it can often be something positive because it serves as a learning opportunity. This is one of the most important reasons why kids should code, as they will learn quickly that ‘debugging’ your code is half the fun.

When you fail and try again you can learn from your mistakes. Coding gives children the ability to try and try again until they succeed and produce the result they are looking for.

“ A computer is a bicycle for your mind” – Steve Jobs

Learning to code teaches children how to think. Computer programming isn’t just about teaching how to type lines of code. It is more about teaching children how to think differently. Being able to code effectively, a programmer needs to use logical thinking. They need to be able to see a large problem and break it down into smaller pieces in order to solve it in an effective manner. This is called decomposition and is one of the key features of computational thinking.

Children learning code will need to take a vague idea and use their creativity to turn it something effective. If the first solution doesn’t work, they try another one. If that one doesn’t work, they try again until the problem is solved. Coding helps to develop this way of thinking and these types of thinking skills are highly sought after.

A child expands their creativity when they learn how to code

Coding is important to learn because computer programming teaches children to experiment and gives them the confidence to be creative. They will have the chance to design something that is entirely their own. Children thrive off of the feedback they get from creating something they love. Just like learning a language, or to play a musical instrument, children need motivation. Usually seeing results along the way is enough to cultivate this, and this is what happens when children learn to code.

Because coding is easy to pick up, for children especially, confidence comes easily. When children learn how to code it gives them the opportunity to be confident and create something in a fun and exciting way. 

Why is learning to code so important? For us, creativity tops the list! We love the creative games and activities our kids can create with coding. Coding doesn’t have to be boring, in fact, coding can be fun! We show you how to make coding fun for your kids in this post.

Because coding is easy to pick up, for children especially, confidence comes easily.

When children learn how to code it gives them the opportunity to be confident and create something in a fun and exciting way.

Why is learning to code so important? For us, creativity tops the list! We love the creative games and activities our kids can create with coding. Coding doesn’t have to be boring, in fact, coding can be fun! We show you how to make coding fun for your kids in this post.

When you look at how the world is developing, coding is an extremely useful skill to possess. There are an increasing number of businesses who rely on computer code, not just those in the technology sector.

A child who learns how to code will have the advantage in life with more employment opportunities available to them in the future, no matter which industry they decide to enter whether it be in the technology sector, finance, retail, health or other. This is an important reason why coding should be taught in schools.

There is a lack of skills in the software industry

Experienced computer programmers are in demand and with the advancement of technology, there are increasing career opportunities arising every day. Employees who can code are the future and are highly sought after in any industry.

Because qualified computer programmers are hard to come by, their salaries can be at a high level. If children learn to code at a young age, their experience starts young and they are more likely to grow up with an interest in the software industry, therefore contributing to our future.

Coding helps children learn how to have fun with math

Coding is the language of maths. Imagine coding being taught in every school? Learning to program involves many skills including organizing and analyzing data. Children can grow their math skills while coding, without even realizing it. Using their logic and calculation skills while creating something of their own can make maths more engaging and fun. Another big reason coding should be taught in schools.

If you want to give your child something enjoyable to do which will also be educational and help them to learn, learning to code is the perfect gift. You can read about the reasons why coding is important, but one of the best is to give them a challenge while having fun!
Children will learn various skills and with practice, gain some important skills that can help them through all ways of life, and if they can do all of this while having fun, why not?

We have gone through some great reasons why coding is important to learn for not only children but anyone. If you have a child, giving them the opportunity to learn about technology and the way computers work will surely give them an advantage in life. Learning to code while they are young will set them up for a successful future. 

It is on this note, ithat will like to share this important information with you;

we at mentortribes make  learning easier especially when it comes to coding. we are having a three weeks programme on coding for kids, give them value when you can, lets make this journey very easy for you and your kids!

please visit our website for more information and registration👇 

8 Reasons Why Every Child Should learn To Code

All Posts

tech-advice —Wed Sep 20 2023

Mentorship-based Learning in Tech

tech-advice —Wed May 24 2023

BLUE LIGHT AND EYE HEALTH: A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN THE TECH

tech-advice —Thu Apr 06 2023

Wrong reasons why People venture into Tech

tech-advice —Thu Jan 26 2023

HELP! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SKILL TO GO FOR

tech-advice —Fri Aug 05 2022

8 Reasons Why Every Child Should learn To Code

Recent Posts

Mentorship-based Learning in Tech

BLUE LIGHT AND EYE HEALTH: A CONCERN FOR PEOPLE IN THE TECH

Wrong reasons why People venture into Tech

HELP! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT SKILL TO GO FOR

8 Reasons Why Every Child Should learn To Code

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13