Sifting Out Of Student Communities: Just Customary Or A Necessity?

Are student tech communities creating a growth ceiling for you?

Undoubtedly, student tech communities and programs such as the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors, Google Developer Student Clubs, Major League Hacking Coaches, and several other adjacent communities helped me get a start toward a career in DevRel and tech, in general. I have been a fairly vocal advocate for various of these on Twitter / X and other social media over the last few years, too! After graduating from college in 2022 and moving to Bengaluru, I continued supporting several student-focused community initiatives. Lately, however, I have observed myself taking steps further away from student communities, not just as a participant (I graduated, lol) but as a contributor, speaker, and supporter.

I thought I’d feel bad about letting student communities go, but I did not. Further introspection showed that this happened for some excellent reasons, on the other hand. Therefore, in this issue, I want to share why it might be a good idea for early career professionals to move away from student communities and forums.

Disclaimer: This article is not an anti-student community piece. Student communities are valid and greatly benefit if you are still in college/university.

How do the benefits of student communities diminish? 👀

As you graduate from college and become a professional, it is necessary to remember where the benefits of student communities start diminishing or entirely stop. For myself, I observed this decrease through the following:

• Lack of deeper knowledge

  • Basic or general tech knowledge in student communities might not be enough, as you may seek more specialized information simply because your knowledge requirements have evolved.

  • Those working on cutting-edge technologies or in niche fields might find the discussions in student communities too broad or insufficient.

• Limited professional development

  • While student-focused groups are great for peer support and mentorship opportunities at the start of a career, professionals might seek mentors with more specific expertise or experience as they advance.

  • Opportunities for career growth, such as leadership roles, challenging projects, or significant collaborations, might be more readily found or facilitated outside of these communities.

• Mismatch in context and goals

  • As your short-term context switches and goals change, you might find the relatively introductory topics and discussions in student communities less relevant.

  • While student communities offer a rather handy initial network, you may need to network with more experienced professionals who will not be present in these communities.

• Lack of deeper industry insights

  • As professionals progress, understanding industry-specific regulations, standards, and practices becomes crucial, which tends not to be a priority in most student communities.

  • Developing a deeper understanding of business strategies, operations, and financial principles might be necessary for career advancement at your workplace and beyond, which student communities may not cover extensively.

• Limited scaling of personal network

  • Connecting with a broader and more diverse network beyond the academic or early-career stage is beneficial.

  • Professionals aiming for a global impact or understanding might need networks that offer a wider geographical and cultural reach than student-focused communities typically provide (online communities can be exceptional to an extent here).

What can early career professionals do instead? 🤔

Early career professionals can take several proactive steps to mitigate the limitations of student-focused tech communities as they advance in their careers. Here are strategies to ensure continuous growth and development:

• Join professional associations and attend industry conferences: These can offer advanced knowledge, resources, and networking opportunities with seasoned professionals in your field while providing insights into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.

• Participate in specialized online forums: Online forums and platforms focused on specific technologies or industry sectors can provide deeper discussions and learning opportunities. Platforms like Stack Overflow, Reddit, GitHub, and Discord may feature several such forums.

• Find appropriate mentors: Seek mentors with specific expertise and experience that align with your career aspirations. This is a commonly offered advice but often very effective.

• Offer to mentor others: Teaching and mentoring others can also deepen your understanding and establish you as a knowledgeable professional in your community.

  

• Take advanced courses and professional certifications: Enroll in courses that offer advanced knowledge or specialization in areas relevant to your career growth. In certain domains, professional certifications substantially help to validate your expertise, making you more attractive to employers and collaborators.

• Engage in discussions and publish your knowledge: Actively participate in discussions, share your insights, and ask questions in both online and offline professional communities. Write articles and blogs or present webinars on topics you are knowledgeable about. Sharing your expertise can help you establish credibility and authority in your field.

• Use social media wisely: Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter / X can be invaluable for connecting with industry professionals, joining professional groups, and sharing your achievements.

• Network outside of tech: Don’t limit your networking to tech-only spaces. Interdisciplinary connections can offer unique perspectives and opportunities.

Should you entirely stay away from student communities after graduating? 🛣️

No, graduating from college is not the end of your road with student communities. However, it is important to recognize that you can’t join student communities anymore unless you grow and evolve. The best way to do that is to move forward and get into the rooms where you’re close to the smartest or the most experienced and then bring those learnings back to these circles. Balancing your roots in student communities as you venture out to wider professional circles will ensure a rich, continuous development journey for you in the days to come.