Do you know what Tech and being on a roller coaster have in common? They both change direction constantly, leaving the rider feeling enthusiastic but at the same time without an appropriate sense of direction.

Your senses go wild; striking a balance depends on how much strength you put in: Being an expert rider or having a support system( people around you).

My Tech journey ate through my senses until I found a Support System. I was a confused Pharmacy student interested in Tech and had no coding background.

I had to search online and educate myself on certain things. I never felt a sense of belonging until I started attending offline and online Tech events. I joined the Google development students club in my school and became a member of She Code Africa afterward.

Meeting people with the same interests as mine gave me the best feeling ever.

As a beginner or health professional, you need to be in a community that would broaden your knowledge and help you achieve your aims.

Being a community member is like joining a core Criminal investigation department. You don't get robbed of the opportunity to catch a criminal, set things straight, or even follow the right path. You have people you are accountable to.

Even if you aren't a field agent, you learn a lot about how other areas of expertise relate to yours because you work with numerous people on diverse projects.

Outlined below are five top reasons why you should join a tech community.

1. Opportunity to Grow:

Being a member of Tech communities has taught me that growth doesn't happen. It's stirred by our desire to do or know more. Just like natural manures, Tech communities fuel our desires. If you want to attain a particular position in life, you should allow yourself to take chances.

"Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them."

~William Arthur Ward

In Tech communities, you get news of ongoing contests, internships, or job opportunities that suit your stack.

When growth is spoken of, It doesn't mean deviating from your main course. Being open to new things helps you choose what you want carefully without making mistakes.

So hey, you won't be drowned but found. Sounds good, right? Let's get into the Second reason.

2. Discover Your Passion:

Who says you must have found yourself before trying things out? You might want to get into Tech, but you don't know what is in it for you.

Being enthusiastic about machines and innovative solutions is enough to start. Assess yourself and streamline to understand your cues--what triggers those desires.

Don't pressure yourself if you don't find a niche immediately. Keep trying things out until you find a soft landing. That's why communities are good. You can ask questions, learn, relearn and learn again.

"The most fundamental aggression to ourselves, the most fundamental harm we can do to ourselves, is to remain ignorant by not having the courage and the respect to look at ourselves honestly and gently."

~Pema Chodon

3. Networking:

You will be in a net throughout your life until you are willing to work out of it. Most beginners feel isolated; first, they think everyone is a boss. That's far from the truth.

Tech communities are like a market mix. It comprises the Knowers, the showers, the Learners, the beginners, and the grand tutor.

Don't shy away from meeting people worldwide because you are thinking about what they will say or not. If everyone were to feel like this, would there be a community in the first place?

Always remember that you are never alone. There is someone at your level, beneath it or higher. So feel free.

"Infuse greatness in every aspect of your life. Don't regard anything as being too huge to achieve"

~ Aniefuna Chisom

4. Professional development:

The best feeling in this world is knowing that everything about you isn't just buried when you die. Something lives- your impact.

Your tech expertise can only be heard or known if you engage in Technology communities. Imagine being pointed at when people ask about the top ten in your industry.

The tech community is an emergency helpline where you can ask questions about what is bothering you. A tech community helps you build your brand and sell yourself without having to send your CV.

Any place opportunities throws bullets in, don't be too lazy to run away if it's not for you. It's not cowardice.

Having a place full of people who mentor you and talk about anything related to your growth process helps because it will enable you to progress further and not venture into things that are not for you.

The Importance of a Tech community cannot be emphasized enough

5. Outstanding Experience:

Don't tell me you think Tech communities are a house full of sad programmers who spend their whole night debugging and editing. If that's what you are thinking, then bail off because it's far from the truth.

It's more than just a community; It's a family. Tech enthusiasts make friends, go to cinemas, fall in love, and build lasting relationships.

If such things can happen on LinkedIn, why have that thought in the first place?

You might love coding but still have a passion for other soft skills. That's not bad. There is also a community for marketers, writers and so on. Relate the skills and have a fantastic experience.

I wouldn't want to leave you without dropping most of the astounding tech communities you can learn from

She Code Africa Hashnode Devi.io GDSC Kotlin Users group DevOps For loop Africa Women who code

In my next article, I will cover what's peculiar about this communities.

Bookmark this page for more information relating to that.