Harrison 
Technology generalists have a broad understanding of multiple technology areas and can be valued in roles that require a more holistic view of technology solutions. They are the Swiss Army knife of technology, the proverbial jack-of-all-trades.
What are the benefits of being a technology generalist?
Adaptability: Generalists are versatile in nature and can work on a wide range of projects and different technology roles depending on the needs of the business. They often find a home within business.
Wide field of view: Generalists can see the big picture of how different technologies can be combined to solve more complex problems. This is a highly valued characteristic in many organizations, especially large enterprises where silos are an issue.
Communication skills: Generalists have a working knowledge of different technologies, which allows them to communicate with specialists in different technical fields.
Management route: In large organizations, having a broad understanding of multiple technology areas and a holistic perspective is valuable to running day-to-day operations and bringing teams and stakeholders together. In other words, it’s management data!
What are the disadvantages of being a technology generalist?
Although there are many benefits to being a generalist, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. Please note that these are not universal and may vary depending on the region of employment and employer.
Lack of deep expertise: Generalists have broad rather than deep knowledge of technology. This limits their ability to solve complex problems in a particular field of technology and can never replace an expert in that field.
Difficult to keep up: Generalists must constantly learn and adapt to stay current, and there are many different areas to focus on. Otherwise, their skills may become obsolete.
Reduced employment opportunities for practitioners: If you want to be a full-time, hands-on generalist rather than a manager, you’ll have a harder time finding a technical position. That’s because some employers prefer to hire specialists with deep expertise in a particular technical field, rather than someone who knows a little bit of everything.
Lack of reliability: In some situations (but not all), generalists may not be taken as seriously as specialists because their knowledge of a particular technology area is less in-depth.
Lack of concentration: Generalists may be asked to wear many hats at once. This means it can be difficult to focus on and complete a particular project or endeavor.
What role does a technology generalist play?
In small organizations, budgets may require one person to be responsible for a variety of technologies. This is perfect for people who like to do a lot and want to feel important to the company. They might work on web development, server management, solution architecture, etc.
In large organizations, generalists are often project leaders, IT managers, or integration specialists. Because they frequently interact with end users and other departments, their extensive technology knowledge is often complemented by soft skills in talent management and stakeholder engagement.
Common generalist job titles:
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Technology Strategist: Strategists help organizations develop and implement technology strategies, often with a focus on innovation and growth.
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Solution architect: Architects who design and implement technology solutions. They often have a broad understanding of multiple technology areas.
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Technical project manager: A project manager who specializes in overseeing technology projects. Focused on managing cross-functional teams and overseeing their success.
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Business Analyst: Analysts who help organizations identify and solve business problems using technology solutions. They often have extensive knowledge in multiple technology areas.
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IT manager: A manager who oversees the day-to-day operations of an organization’s technology infrastructure.
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IT support professional: A person who provides comprehensive IT support to an organization.
What qualities and skills do you need to become a technology generalist?
If you have a broad and natural curiosity about how different technologies work and how they can be used to solve problems, you may be well-suited to becoming a generalist. . Generalists are flexible, adaptable, and can learn new technologies quickly.
Soft skills are very important for technology generalists. Strong communication skills are a must as you will be collaborating with many technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure a successful project. Must have a collaborative mindset and are comfortable working with others. Leadership and management training is also beneficial.
Analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills are also valuable skills for success as a generalist. You will analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions to them.
