Career Success Tips for Technicians

After nearly four decades watching technical professionals succeed (or struggle), here's what I've observed:

Building Your Technical Skills

Impress your skilled peers, not just bosses - Your fellow techs know who's really good. When they move up, they'll pull people they respect along. Good supervisors will notice quality work naturally, and those who don't notice won't matter in the long run.

Choose developmental opportunities early - Seek jobs with genuine training programs, not just claimed "OJT." Do your homework—HR always says they have development plans even when they don't. Ask for specific details or commitments to pair you with effective mentors who can actually teach.

Prioritize growth over money early on - Big-name companies with higher starting pay often relegate new techs to carrying tools or doing superficial tasks until they forget their theory. By the time they finally get to do real troubleshooting, they've lost the fundamentals that would have made them exceptional. This pattern has derailed countless promising careers.

Don't rush to be the hero - Steady growth wins. Be patient with recognition—if you do the right things consistently, praise will come. Most skilled technicians understand development takes time, but they appreciate seeing steady, strategic learning efforts.

Share accomplishments appropriately - It's good to get credit for outstanding work, but do it humbly. Never compare yourself to others. Good managers want to know when you excel, and it comes across better when you also praise others' successes.

Master the basics before advanced techniques - Know fundamentals cold (especially core concepts like basic electricity). Those who understand underlying principles can adapt to anything.

Understand the "why," not just the steps - Anyone can memorize procedures. Top techs understand what's happening under the hood.

Actually read the manuals - Be familiar with documentation for equipment you work with regularly. It's amazing how many problems this solves and how much it improves your troubleshooting speed long-term.

Never stop learning - Figure out how you learn best. The best techs remain curious—always asking how and why.

Leverage AI intelligently - One advantage of AI in our field is its ability to explain concepts in various ways. Use it smartly to fill knowledge gaps, but approach with healthy skepticism. The more you learn, the better you'll recognize AI's limitations and mistakes.

Be Someone People Want to Work With

Practice genuine humility - Real pros readily admit weaknesses because they know nobody knows everything. Ironically, those who most easily acknowledge knowledge gaps typically know far more than those who pretend to know it all.

Don't be stubborn about solution paths - Try others' ideas and be open to their success. Don't try to "win" against teammates for pride's sake. I've seen stubborn (but talented) people hit career ceilings because of this single attribute.

Be kind to everyone - How you treat janitors, new hires, or admin staff reveals your character. There will be times when tough conversations are necessary, but these can still happen professionally and courteously. Practice communicating difficult things respectfully—it serves you well beyond work.

Put team ahead of ego - Help everyone succeed and make the organization's goals your own. Don't treat work as a competition. Your peers will recognize your approach, and team players typically advance further long-term (even if they eventually move elsewhere).

Cut people slack - Everyone has flaws, struggles, and is still learning. Don't expect others to have the same strengths or weaknesses as you. Tolerance and patience contribute to your own happiness while improving how you're perceived and your team effectiveness.

Speak up when it matters - Have the courage to say something when needed, even when worried about consequences. While "rocking the boat" can sometimes have short-term costs, those who ignore problems typically hit career plateaus and suffer from poor morale. Don't create drama, but be willing to ask questions and raise legitimate concerns. Would you rather work with someone who ignores safety issues or major work challenges, or with someone who ensures they're addressed?

Communication Matters

If you can't explain it, you don't understand it - The best techs break down complex concepts so anyone can grasp them.

Learn to write clearly - Good documentation makes everyone's life easier and demonstrates professionalism.

Listen as much as you talk - Many problems get solved by actually hearing what others are saying.

Playing the Long Game

Step outside your comfort zone - Volunteer for challenging problems. Real growth happens at the edge of your abilities.

See the bigger picture - Understand how your work fits into company objectives. Be like a player who prioritizes team success over personal statistics or accomplishments.

Keep up with technology - Don't be that person who refused to learn computers. Today that means developing skills with AI tools and effective prompting. But also read articles, follow organizations on social media that provide useful content, engage in social media technical discussions such as LinkedIn, as well as targeted forums and online periodicals. Also engage in groups like your local chapter of ISA or SMRP or others. 

Seek Certifications - Pursue applicable credentials to help prove your capabilities. You will often learn some things in the process as well. Having certificates and credentials such as A+, Network+, NCCER, CCST, CAP, and others can help others know without question that you have a certain skill level in these areas. Not all certificate programs or credentials are as good as others - but they still show a level of effort and demonstrated learning, and they help prove one's capabilities - especially to those who know what is required for the applicable credential or certificate.