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In this week\\u2019s show, Phil talks to Alan Pope, an Engineering Manager and Developer Advocate for InfluxData, the creator of InfluxDB which is an open-source time series database. He is also a podcaster and he describes himself as a through and through geek.

Alan talks about why it\\u2019s okay to move on when the time is right in your career journey. He also discusses why it\\u2019s important to take people\\u2019s advice with a pinch of salt.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS:

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TOP CAREER TIP

It\\u2019s okay to move on in your career when the time is right. Never feel as though you are chained to a position for your entire career. Being comfortable is often not a place where we challenge and grow.

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WORST CAREER MOMENT

When transitioning to a new company, Alan was confronted by HR who advised him that if he left, it would damage his career journey. It was a time of anxiety, but their threats came to nothing.

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CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Alan trained many aspiring IT professionals, so when it came to looking for a position of his own, his reputation was already secured. Putting yourself out there is incredibly valuable to your career path.

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THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

The IT world is enormous and offers countless possibilities. It is incredibly easy to pivot and move between pursuits and sectors and offers an endlessly interesting path for any aspiring IT professional.

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THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? \\u2013 Alan was a nerd, and after receiving a ZX81, Alan developed a love for coding.

What\\u2019s the best career advice you received? \\u2013 You always have a choice

What\\u2019s the worst career advice you received? \\u2013

What would you do if you started your career now? \\u2013 Alan would like to have attended university so as to establish a better foundation for his career.

What are your current career objectives? \\u2013 Learning new things. Alan is intent on staying far from his comfort zone and constantly challenging himself.

What\\u2019s your number one non-technical skill? \\u2013 Having empathy for other people\\u2019s points of view and perspectives.

How do you keep your own career energized? \\u2013 Alan keeps moving once the challenge has faded. It\\u2019s vital to find the things that bring you joy.

What do you do away from technology? \\u2013 Cooking, which allows him the time to reconnect with the things that matter.

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FINAL CAREER TIP

Take other people\\u2019s advice with a pinch of salt. Everyone has their own story and path through life, and the lessons they\\u2019ve learned may not always apply to your own path.

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BEST MOMENTS

\\xa0(3:26) \\u2013 Alan - \\u201cPeople need to not be afraid to leave a role\\u201d

(7:41) \\u2013 Alan - \\u201cIt\\u2019s about looking after yourself and your own career\\u201d

(8:57) \\u2013 Alan \\u2013 \\u201cGetting yourself out there and becoming known in your target industry is a very valuable thing to do\\u201d

(13:15) \\u2013 Alan \\u2013 \\u201cNobody cares what you look like. It\\u2019s the output. It\\u2019s the product you create, and it\\u2019s the work that you do that\\u2019s the important thing\\u201d

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ABOUT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

\\xa0Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement software solutions.\\xa0 Phil has always had an interest in helping others to develop and advance their careers.\\xa0 And in 2017 Phil started the I.T. Career Energizer podcast to try to help as many people as possible to learn from the career advice and experiences of those that have been, and still are, on that same career journey.

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CONTACT THE HOST \\u2013 PHIL BURGESS

Phil can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_PhilBurgess

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/philburgess

Instagram: https://instagram.com/_philburgess

Website: https://itcareerenergizer.com/contact

Phil is also reachable by email at phil@itcareerenergizer.com and via the podcast\\u2019s website, https://itcareerenergizer.com

Join the I.T. Career Energizer Community on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/ITCareerEnergizer

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ABOUT THE GUEST \\u2013 ALAN POPE

Alan Pope is an Engineering Manager and Developer Advocate for InfluxData, the creator InfluxDB which is an open source time series database. He is also a podcaster and he describes himself as a through and through geek.

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CONTACT THE GUEST \\u2013 ALAN POPE

Alan Pope can be contacted through the following Social Media platforms:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/popey

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-pope-b3a109143/

Website: https://popey.com