Let's talk T-shaped engineers
What is a T-Shaped Engineer?
The T-shaped engineer concept is represented by the letter "T". The vertical stroke of the "T" represents the individual's depth of knowledge and expertise in a specific technical field, while the horizontal stroke represents their broad range of skills and knowledge across various fields. This means that a T-shaped engineer is not only knowledgeable in their area of expertise, but also has a general understanding of related fields and the ability to collaborate effectively with professionals from different disciplines. As we lean more and more into the principles of DevOps within the tech industry, this concept becomes more important for breaking down silos between engineers of different backgrounds and knowledge, allowing them to collaborate more effectively.
Image by Jonathan Farber
It’s a T, but not…
It's important to note that the T-shaped engineer concept is not limited to just one type of T. In fact, there are multiple variations of the T-shape, each representing a different set of skills and expertise. Some individuals may have a narrower, deeper vertical stroke of the T, representing a high level of expertise in a specific area. The narrowness can play out various ways, but for example, an engineer may be specialized in backend development, but only with Ruby and Rails. They could widen that narrowness by picking up Python and Flask.
Similarly, the horizontal stroke of the T can also vary in length, representing the breadth of knowledge and skills in related fields. For example, an individual with a longer horizontal stroke may have a broad range of skills across multiple related fields. They may have started their career doing frontend development, and expanded to backend, and maybe some cloud operations. This can set the path for even minimizing the vertical stroke and becoming more a scalene triangle or even trapezoidal producing a more generalist engineer.
Both the horizontal and vertical strokes can also look more like steps rather than simple continuous strokes of the pen, expanding and contracting across the various areas of expertise, not even being limited to engineering, looking more like an endless string of Ts or various sizes smashed together.
The T-shape concept is not meant to be limiting, but rather a representation of the importance of having a balance between depth and breadth of skills and knowledge. You may pick up skills from working with other disciplines, like product management, customer engagement, or even sales, not just your own discipline. The shape of the T can change and evolve over time as individuals continue to develop their skills and expertise.
Why would I want to be a T-shaped Engineer?
The T-shape concept is becoming increasingly relevant in today's tech world, where technology and innovation are driving interdisciplinary collaboration across fields. T-shaped engineers are able to communicate effectively with professionals from different backgrounds. This is because they have a general understanding of related fields and can speak the language of different disciplines. This makes them valuable collaborators and team players, and enables them to work effectively with professionals from different backgrounds.
In addition, the field of engineering is constantly changing, and new technologies and methodologies are emerging all the time. As a T-shaped engineer, you will be well-equipped to adapt to these changes and stay ahead of the curve. You will have a general understanding of related fields and will be able to learn new skills and technologies quickly. They are also more likely to have a broad range of transferable skills, making them more marketable and less vulnerable to job loss due to changes in the industry.
How do I approach becoming more T-Shaped?
Becoming a T-shaped engineer requires a commitment to continuous learning and development. This strategy applies to those folks who are looking to remain in an individual contributor role, but aren’t quite sure how to improve when they reach a more senior level. Here are some tips to help you become a T-shaped engineer:
Focus on your core area of expertise: Build a deep understanding of your field by reading industry publications, attending conferences and workshops, and actively engaging in your field through writing or open source projects.
Expand your knowledge: Read and learn about other related fields and keep yourself updated on emerging technologies and trends.
Seek out interdisciplinary opportunities: Look for opportunities to collaborate with professionals from different backgrounds, such as participating in cross-functional teams or seeking opportunities to get involved in projects outside of your area of expertise.
Develop transferable skills: Invest in developing soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and systems thinking.
By embracing the T-shaped mindset, engineers not only enhance their individual careers but also contribute to the advancement of the industry as a whole. So, I encourage you to embrace the T-shaped engineer within and unlock the endless possibilities and challenges that await.