Customer Reviews

Taming the Technology Tidal Wave: Practical Career Advice for IT Professionals

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Although this book is beneficial for any technical professional, it is particularly valuable for those reentering the workforce after taking time off. The challenge of returning to work as a software engineer after a hiatus to raise kids is overwhelming! The sheer number of new web-based technologies introduced in the last decade is mind-boggling.

However, "Taming the Technology Tidal Wave" helped me recognize that despite significant technological changes, my formal education and previous job experience are still relevant. It provided concrete (and relatively inexpensive) methods for me to get back up to speed after falling behind. The ideas on resume crafting were particularly helpful, as were the numerous suggestions on how to begin learning the newer technologies (and how to select which ones of the many to actually focus on!). Most important, it helped boost my confidence.

You probably feel the same way that I do if you're currently working in IT but have been stuck using out-dated technologies or are shifting from management back into a more technical position. This book's recommendations are relevant to these situations as well.

Word to the wise: if you're just starting out in a technical career, this book will steer you in the right direction so you avoid making the wrong choices that could lead to technical obsolescence!

Ms. Barker hits the mark with each of her 30 tips. I found myself saying, "yes, that sounds like what happened to me" or "that's exactly how I feel". Taming the Technology Tidal Wave reminds us why we chose a technical career path - because we were passionate about it, it was stimulating and it was downright fun! After 12 years in technology, I found myself asking - why am I not having fun at this anymore?

The tips Ms. Barker provided for reenergizing, regrouping & refocusing an IT career were invaluable to me. Her insights about not chasing after the newest technology that comes along and focusing on mastering paradigms are good lessons for both recent college graduates and veterans in the IT field. In the world of bits & bytes, Ms. Barker has interjected a warm, human approach to this issue with tips such as being generous with your knowledge and volunteer your time.

As a guest speaker in a graduate-level IT course I'm teaching, Ms. Barker led a lively discussion around the pros and cons of choosing a technical track versus a managerial track. One student found the discussion of such value, he purchased Taming the Technology Tidal Wave. Based on student feedback , I will incorporate Taming the Technology Tidal Wave as required course reading. I highly recommend to other IT instructors to include this book in your course!

Due to the overwhelmingly positive write up and 5 star reviews on this book I purchased it without blinking, and I regret the purchase.

Nearly every paragraph had at least one bold and italicized word or phrase, which was grating in and of itself, but the most frustrating thing about Taming the Technology Tidal Wave was that most of the advice given was trite.

The one piece of advice that I appreciated reading was to focus on learning the paradigms rather than frantically trying to learn each new tool that comes along.

If you are a programmer and want practical career advice, I would suggest "The Pragmatic Programmer", "How to Land the Tech Job you Love", and "The Passionate Programmer".

I read this book and thought to myself, this book describes me perfectly. If you're in the IT industry and feel as though you're drowning in an ever changing IT environment. Trying to update your skills and keep up with the pace of technology. Then Jacquie's book is a must read. The "Sound Bytes" are relevant, practical, and enlightening. Her wisdom and guidance on topics from technologies, to career tracks, to resumes are outstanding. I highly recommend acquiring a copy of this book.

This is a great read! It's jammed with practical pointers, some of which you might think are common sense, but never really thought about. When the time comes for you to ponder career decisions, having read this book will be a real timesaver.

The light weight and larger print make it ideal reading material while on an exercise bike or treadmill. The book is loaded with "Sound 'Bytes'" which add "candy" to the experience.

Outstanding book. If you are in a position where you see your current project heading into a dead end and are trying to turn around and steer your career in a new direction but do not know where to start then this is the book for you. Extremely helpful but also an easy read.

After reading the book Beginning Java Objects by the same author, I was completely disappointed reading this book The book ( Taming the Technology Tidal Wave ) offers no big ( if any ) know-how on managing the IT Tidal wave. The information offered in the book is no brainer and can be learned in real time within 1 yr into an any IT firm.

Save the buck for a walk in the evening treating yourself with an ice cream than buying this book which offers no new piece of information.

You can't change the entire IT world but you can change the IT world for one person by giving a book called "Technology Tidal Wave" as a gift to someone you really care about. It could be a gift of lifetime.

I got laid-off after 20 years of my successful career as a mainframe programmer. I was almost on the verge of quitting this IT job market and this book "Technology Tidal Wave" came to me just-in-time to rescue me. It is well written by Ms.Jacquie Barker who has earned very good reputation as a Leader, a Professor and an Author in the IT Software Engineering Space. The book is very insightful. There are lots of good tips and time tested sincere advice that you can rely on at this juncture in your career and forever. I wish I had them all as early as 10 years in my career. Don't take a second chance, don't even give second thought but buy this book and help yourself and others. It is more than a survival guide. I promise you will feel motivated, encouraged and will have new perspective towards your IT career.

Also, if you are new to OO paradigm like me then buy "Beginning Java Objects" 2nd edition and C# book as well for solid foundation and to expel any doubts about what really objects are and how objects work internally..... Good Luck.

I just read Taming the Technology Tidal Wave and can't say enough about how much I liked it! I believe that Ms. Barker is on point in almost every case. I'm going to make sure every member of my team reads it.