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Tips for Transitioning Into the Tech Industry

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Tips for Transitioning Into the Tech Industry

Making a career transition can be daunting, but it can also be an exciting time! If you’re considering entering the tech industry, we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, tech blogger Austin Chia will discuss 5 tips to help make your transition to tech easier and more successful. Keep reading for advice on networking, learning new skills, and more!

5 Steps to Kickstart Your Tech Career

Tip #1:  Networking for Tech Jobs

One of the best ways to enter a new industry is by networking. This is especially true for tech jobs. Word-of-mouth recommendations can help you stand out among other job applicants in such a competitive industry. To get started, consider attending tech events and conferences, joining tech-focused meetups, and using social media networks like LinkedIn to connect with potential mentors, employers, and people in positions you aspire to be in.

Photo by Product School on Unsplash

Some common online platforms to network for tech jobs include:

  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Quora
  • StackOverflow

Not only will this help you build real relationships with people (that can lead to a job), but it will also give you valuable insight into the industry and teach you new skills.

Tip #2: Work on Industry-Relevant Projects

Photo by Myriam Jessier on Unsplash

Having a portfolio of industry-relevant projects is essential for making your transition into tech. Not only will it signify that you’re serious about getting into the field, but it will also show potential employers that you already have some experience in the area. Before you work on any of these projects, analyse the type of companies you intend to apply for. Look at what value you can provide to their business and determine what would catch a hiring manager’s eye.

For example, if you’re planning to be a web developer in healthcare, you can create a website project with the design and elements suited to the needs of a healthcare business. Or, if you’re looking to be a marketing data analyst, you can work on a data analytics project that analyses the web traffic of a business and presents it in an eye-catching dashboard.

Tip #3: Build an Impressive Portfolio

To showcase your projects in a professional manner, you’ll need to create an outstanding portfolio site. You can do this online with a variety of tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace. Your portfolio should contain samples of your previous work, links to projects you’ve worked on and/or written about, and any articles or blog posts you have published. Additionally, include any awards or certificates that prove relevant skills in the tech industry.

Many hiring managers have a look at your portfolio for relevant experience, so a portfolio is essential for all tech jobs. Ensure that your portfolio is up-to-date and showcases your best skills!

Tip #4: Consider Joining a Tech Startup

Photo by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash

Tech startup experience can be an amazing way to gain a foothold in the industry. Not only will you have access to the latest technologies, but you will get many chances to learn a broad base of skills. For example, if you’re going to work as a software engineer, you’ll have the opportunity to work on the full stack of software development, from back-end programming to front-end design. Additionally, you can take part in marketing and business decisions, giving you a more holistic view of how tech businesses succeed.

In a startup environment, you may also be able to start your own projects or create entire products from scratch. Plus, you’ll get the opportunity to work with like-minded people and learn about the business side of tech companies. Instead of transitioning into big tech companies, joining a startup can be a good stepping stone for gaining experience and building a reputation in the industry.

Tip #5: Use Online Resources for Learning Tech Skills

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

Aside from networking and working on your own projects, there are plenty of online resources to help you make the transition into tech. For example, YouTube has a wealth of tutorials covering almost every aspect of tech – from coding languages to design tools.

Additionally, Alison offers many free online tutorials in technology-related topics such as app development, data science, and cloud computing. There are many reasons to learn from such online courses, but where the true value of such courses comes in is through the flexible learning environment they provide. With the guidance of video tutorials and practical exercises, you can learn step-by-step and ensure that you’re on track with the right skills.

Final Thoughts

Making the transition into tech is no easy task. It requires time, dedication, hard work, and industry knowledge. But, with the right strategy and resources, you can start your career in this ever-evolving field. Take full advantage of online platforms such as LinkedIn and Reddit to network, create a portfolio of industry-relevant projects, join a tech startup, and take advantage of online tutorials for the skill development required. With enough determination and effort, you can make your transition into tech successful!

About the Author:

Austin Chia is a tech blogger at AnyInstructor.com, where he writes about tech, data, and software. With his years of experience in data, he seeks to help others learn more about data science and analytics through content. He has previously worked as a data scientist at a healthcare research institute and a data analyst at a health-tech startup.

What Next?

Ready to make your transition into tech?

Have You Ever Been Injured? Tell Us the Story.

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Have You Ever Been Injured? Tell Us the Story.

Everyone gets hurt sometimes. Do you have a scar or a recurring pain that reminds you of an old injury? Or a story about a time you were hurt that you often tell to friends?

Looking back on this injury now, do you ever laugh about how it happened? Or do you just cringe at the painful memory?

In “Adding Insult to Injury,” Pamela Paul writes about being hurt — and what it tells us about being human:

The human body has all sorts of ways of getting hurt and just as many ways of thinking about those injuries. There are minor bruises and major mishaps. There are injuries visited upon one’s body by someone else and those that are self-inflicted. Deliberate wounds and accidental injuries. Active and passive ways to subject oneself to pain. Like many writers, I tend to think of injury in terms of the kind of story it tells: comedy or tragedy, a tale brave and self-sacrificing, or mortifying but useful at a cocktail party. A good account of injury can reveal strength, character, forbearance, humility.

The most exemplary stories of all are of the Jeremy Renner-run-over-by-a-snowplow-while-saving-a-nephew variety. Both tragic and heroic — and who would expect anything less from an Avenger? Similarly heroic are injuries endured by women who give birth under all manner of difficult but “natural” circumstances. And of course, there are sporting injuries that involve skydiving, parasailing or jumping across rooftops. The story of Tom Cruise’s broken ankle makes for an excellent tale, by turns terrifying, excruciating and inspiring. These are all instances of well-earned pain. They even have happy endings.

This is not how I come by my hurt. Which isn’t to say I don’t get injured all the time; I do. As someone with both low pain tolerance and low body awareness (I move through the world like a pair of eyes, as if no shoulders or limbs were attached), I am constantly walking into poles and walls. I chipped the bridge of my nose fumbling to the bathroom one night. I walked into a glass wall at a Miami restaurant after only one drink. An old boyfriend nicknamed me Lumpy, and careening with three left feet from one unexpected doorstep to another, I couldn’t even pretend to be offended. Growing up, I’d managed to fall three times from high places and land flat on my back, once off the second story of an A-frame house.

This last produced enormous merriment among my brothers, and in hindsight, it makes me laugh, too. (I was too concussed to find humor in the moment.) Of course, of course, it’s terrible getting hurt; injuries aren’t funny. Yet the stories we tell about our injuries often are, especially for people who, like me, have a banana-slip sense of humor. I’ve had to defend myself many times for laughing at injuries, because it seems to betray a sadistic streak or profound malevolence. What could be more sinister than laughing when someone gets hurt?

But having given it some thought — call it defensiveness if you like — I think people laugh at stories about injuries because they reveal something endearing about the human condition. It’s what makes slapstick humor deeper and more sophisticated than tends to get recognized. We all like to think of ourselves as in control, at least in control of our own bodies, if not of the nation’s electoral system or of world peace. This is what makes our eternal surprise at getting hoisted by our own petard so amusing. We never think we will tumble down the stairs until we’re actually falling. We are forever startled by our ability to trip ourselves up.

Students, read the entire article and then tell us:

  • Have you ever been injured? Tell us the story. Where were you? Who were you with? What happened? How? How did you feel?

  • Although Ms. Paul finds humor in her accidents, not all of us look back on our injuries and laugh. Did your injury affect your life in a significant way? When you look back on it now, what does this event mean to you?

  • Ms. Paul writes that a good account of an injury can be comedic or tragic, heroic or happy, embarrassing or inspirational. What kind of story does your injury tell?

  • How would you describe your relationship to injuries? Are you someone who, like Ms. Paul, often has bumps and bruises from falling, tripping or walking into things? Are you a person who is often hurt from sports or other activities? Or do you avoid doing anything risky because you’re afraid of being in pain?

  • Are you the type of person who laughs when others are hurt? Why or why not? Ms. Paul writes, “I think people laugh at stories about injuries because they reveal something endearing about the human condition.” Why do you think people sometimes find injuries funny?

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

‘Cowboy Carter’

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‘Cowboy Carter’

As Beyoncé gears up for the release of her next solo album, “Cowboy Carter,” she teased fans on Tuesday with the new record’s cover.

Are you excited for this album? What do you think of the cover? What, in your opinion, is it saying?

How do you feel about the reception the country music industry has given “Texas Hold ’Em,” one of the singles she’s already released from the album?

As the Times music critic Jon Pareles writes:

[The song] displays a familiarity with the sonic principles of old-fashioned country, while maintaining the infectiousness of current pop. Nevertheless, it has received extremely modest attention at country radio. Beyoncé is Black, and a woman, two groups that contemporary Nashville has consistently marginalized and shortchanged. And no amount of built-in celebrity appears to be able to undo that.

What is your reaction to this?

Tell us in the comments, then read this article in which journalists from the Style section dissect the album’s cover, or this “critic’s notebook” piece about Beyoncé’s relationship with country music.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

Word of the Day: crucial

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Word of the Day: crucial

The word crucial has appeared in 2,489 articles on NYTimes.com in the past year, including on March 16 in “Landline Users Remain Proudly ‘Old-Fashioned’ in the Digital Age” by Michael Levenson:

“If we have health issues, especially, it’s the most important thing to be able to use our rotary phone,” said Francesca Ciancutti, who lives in Mendocino County, Calif. “It’s absolutely crucial. And all our neighbors feel the same way.”

It’s a concern that has led many people around the country to hold on to their landlines.
Katie Lanza, 37, of Fort Worth, said she had once been waiting for an insurance replacement for her cellphone, which had been chewed by her dog, when she got sick in the middle of the night. With no way to call for help, she found herself knocking on a neighbor’s door at 2 a.m. That was about 14 years ago, she said, and she’s had a landline ever since.

Can you correctly use the word crucial in a sentence?

Based on the definition and example provided, write a sentence using today’s Word of the Day and share it as a comment on this article. It is most important that your sentence makes sense and demonstrates that you understand the word’s definition, but we also encourage you to be creative and have fun.

If you want a better idea of how crucial can be used in a sentence, read these usage examples on Vocabulary.com. You can also visit this guide to learn how to use IPA symbols to show how different words are pronounced.

If you enjoy this daily challenge, try our vocabulary quizzes.

Students ages 13 and older in the United States and the United Kingdom, and 16 and older elsewhere, can comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff.

The Word of the Day is provided by Vocabulary.com. Learn more and see usage examples across a range of subjects in the Vocabulary.com Dictionary. See every Word of the Day in this column.

Sort Out Your Business Style With Custom Logo & Branding

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Sort Out Your Business Style With Custom Logo & Branding

Sort Out Your Business Style With Custom Logo & Branding

Starting a new business is super exciting! And to make your venture even more successful, I suggest investing in custom branding with a professionally designed logo. Trust me, it makes your life so much easier when communicating on social media and it also adds a touch of professionalism to your business.

Branding – what is it?

Let’s dive into the exciting world of branding and start with the basics. So, what exactly is branding? It’s the unique identity of your business that sets it apart from others. This includes visual elements such as fonts, colors, and graphics that work together to create a distinct look.

When you have your business style sorted, you can save time and effort in creating materials for your brand. You don’t have to worry about choosing all the branding elements every single time. Plus, it makes it super easy for your customers to spot your content on social media, even among a sea of other posts

Here are just a few mood boards with branding created by me for our clients:

Looking for Custom Branding? I can make one for you! Check Custom Logo & Branding Logo Service

It does not need to be super complicated! The most important here is to collect it in one place so you can always return to it when needed.

Why is a logo important for your business?

When you’re building your brand, designing a logo is super important and should be your first step. Your logo sets the tone for everything else, and it’s usually a great starting point to get your basic branding sorted too.

Your logo is like the face of your brand, and it’s what people will use to recognize and remember you. So make sure you choose a logo that captures your business’s essence!

Starting a new business can be overwhelming, but designing a logo doesn’t have to be. Browse our premade logo shop on Etsy or contact me to create a custom design just for you.

Custom Logo & Branding – how to get one

If you’re thinking about starting a new business or want to give your brand a fresh look, let’s make sure you’re prepared with the following information first:

  • Your brand name (and optionally a tagline)
  • What audience are you targeting? Or to make it simpler – who would you like your client to be?

It may be useful to also know:

  • Are there any colors you like or would prefer to avoid?
  • Is there any style of font you really like?

Now that you have the essentials in place, it’s time to think about your logo and branding. While it’s totally fine to create initial drafts on your own, I strongly recommend investing in a premade logo or hiring an experienced professional to create a custom one. Especially if terms like vectors, responsive design, and CMYK are not really familiar to you. Trust me, it’ll save you a lot of time and ensure that your business gets off to the best possible start.

I’d love to help you create a custom logo that perfectly represents your brand.

You’ll receive the logo in various file formats, including print-ready ones. Don’t worry about revisions – I provide unlimited ones! Plus, I’ll be there to help you every step of the way to make sure your vision comes to life. Interested? Get a Custom Logo & Branding Service.

Below you can find few examples of custom logo designs done by me

Looking for Custom Branding? I can make one for you! Check Custom Logo & Branding Logo Service

In-Demand Careers

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In-Demand Careers

There’s no time like the present for taking stock of your career and reviewing your options. Do you enjoy your job? Is it time to start your own business? What kind of setup are you looking for? Or is it time for that big career move? And if so, what careers are in demand and worth considering? 

Top 10 In-Demand Careers

Popular careers currently are those in the healthcare, finance, and technology sectors where innovation and necessity are proving to be the mother of invention. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and its potential for impacting everything from medicine to life on Mars means the tech sector should recover from the recent slump. Finance used to mean trading in stocks and shares but cryptocurrencies appear to be here to stay and add a whole new dimension to saving for a rainy day.  According to PwC’s Workforce of the Future Report, which predicts trends up to 2030, a forward-thinking 74% of us are prepared to retrain or reskill to remain work-ready. Away from futuristic work scenarios, 73% of people do not believe that robots will ever replace the human mind. This is borne out by evidence that the demand for nurses has never been higher while logistical logjams across continents means lorry drivers can now command salaries on a par with university graduates! Read on for our predictions for in-demand careers in the current climate.

  1. Network Security Engineer

    Photo by GuerrillaBuzz on Unsplash

    Cybercrime is on the rise and costs individuals and businesses millions annually. Much of our lives has moved online and this creates endless potential targets for criminals wanting to steal money or cause chaos and disruption to organisations.
    Role: Network security specialists endeavour to keep all company data secure. Your work will involve analysing threats or potential areas of weakness, pinpointing gaps in system security, establish best practice for business, design and configure network systems and ensure all protocols are proficient and efficient against attacks.
    Qualifications: A degree in network engineering or cybersecurity is a good starting point. Courses that have advanced knowledge of computer network security, database security and control, engineering, programming, and information security offer in-depth training to operate in this field. You must stay ahead of hackers and remain up to date with new tools, systems, protocols, procedures, and security to excel in this role.

  2. Registered Nurse

    Photo by Francisco Venâncio on Unsplash

    Role: Registered Nurses (RNs) form the bedrock of healthcare in many countries worldwide. In this role you will provide medical care, health education, emotional support and many other services in your daily tasks and responsibilities. It’s a demanding and stressful job but you will touch, change, and save lives.
    Qualifications: To work as a registered nurse, you should have a degree or diploma and be licensed by your country’s health professional council. You must also undertake continued professional development to ensure your training remains up to date. Additional nursing courses you can take include Diploma in Nursing and Patient Care, Safe Handling and Administration of Medication, and Nursing Studies – Patient Care and Hygiene.

     

  3. Veterinarian (Vet)

    Go anywhere in the world and you’ll find people who love their cats, dogs, horses, or whatever pets they have. Factor in farm animals and wildlife and it’s no wonder vets are in demand.
    Role: As a vet, you will be responsible for the health of animals brought into your practice. This includes examining, diagnosing, and treating medical conditions, performing surgery, offering pet owners medical advice or general advice on animal care and more.
    Qualifications: To practice Veterinary medicine you must have a relevant degree before completing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) at an accredited veterinary college. You must also meet the licensing requirements in your country before you’re allowed to practice legally.

  4. Financial Analyst

    The markets may shift, and economies may go through peaks and valleys but a financial analyst has timeless appeal when it comes to money and investments.
    Role: As a financial analyst, you will work with finance teams to analyse business performance and guide business executives on strategy and decisions based on your insights and research.
    Qualifications: The most common degrees are in business, accounting, mathematics, finance, statistics, and economics. An accounting degree, however, provides you an extra edge in this field because it gives you a strong foundation for analysing financial statements.

  5. Data Scientist

    Data science is a broad field in which analytical skills are used to process and interpret data.
    Role: This job involves collecting raw data and information and turning it into information that others can read and understand. You can work in a range of industries and use mathematics and processing tools to help companies make key decisions.
    Qualifications: You will need a bachelor’s degree in computer science, data science, statistics, applied mathematics, computer engineering, or related subjects. Most companies also require you to pursue a master’s degree in data science or business analytics.

    Photo by Alex Knight on Unsplash

     

  6. Machine Learning Engineer

    Machine Learning Engineers are also known as AI developers, AI professionals, or Machine Learning Developers. Companies and organisations are looking for these skilled professionals to help them protect their businesses against disruptions.
    Role: Your job as a ML engineer is to improve systems and build and manage data pipelines to test algorithms on built models to seek out patterns and make predictions.  You will also work with others in the data fields to design, develop, deploy, and monitor various systems and infrastructure.
    Qualifications: Because it is still a new field, there aren’t many degrees with a specialised focus on machine learning. A degree in the computer sciences, software engineering, IT, physics, stats, computer programming, and courses in a related field are a good place to start. Additional courses and certifications can be acquired in Python, and cloud computing.

  7. IT Specialist

    Role: This career is ideal for individuals who love problem-solving and computers. As an IT specialist, you will be responsible for helping organisations secure their data and prevent cyber-attacks. Creativity and logic work well together to help you assess threats, provide support, create awareness, and develop data encryption programs and technologies for different business models.
    Qualifications: Some companies seek candidates with a degree in computer science or related field. However, you can take courses like Understanding Information Control for IT Managers to ensure safe operations.

  8. Software Developer

    Role: As a software developer, you are at the core of creating a software program. You will run software tests to look for problems as well as analysing security requirements and work with a programmer who will write this code for the set requirements.
    Qualifications: Software development is a technical role and a degree in computer science, information systems, mathematics, and software engineering are ideal. You need to be able to showcase your technical ability, have the right certifications, and be proficient in C/C++ programming.

  9. Physician’s Assistant

    Role: This career differs from a registered nurse in that it has its own programme with a large focus on science. A physician’s assistant works closely with a medical doctor or someone in the medical field like a psychiatrist. They are medically trained to provide care to patients, can carry out administrative duties, and order tests. Furthermore, they can develop treatment plans to manage patient recovery and evaluate the effectiveness of the plans.
    Qualifications: A degree in life or health sciences or an allied health degree is a minimum requirement to work as a physician assistant. Experience within the health services will give you entry into specialised programmes to test and begin working in this role.

    Photo by Michael SKOPAL on Unsplash

     

  10. Truck Driver
    • Truck drivers drive the economy and keep the supply chain moving.
      Role: As a lorry driver, you will make up a core part of the transportation industry, ensuring the safe delivery of goods and materials from farms to factories, warehouses, manufacturing plants, shops, and many other locations. Your route is determined by a set schedule and you’re also responsible for making delivery notes, recording driving and rest hours, discrepancies, or complaints from customers. As a driver, you are also tasked with vehicle inspections and maintaining safety procedures at all delivery and collection points.
      Qualifications: All truck drivers need a valid driver’s licence to work and those who drive large trucks transporting hazardous material need a commercial driver’s licence (CDL). 


Get Help With Choosing a Career

It’s natural to become excited about the thought of embarking in a new direction and Alison has lots of resources to help you find the right path. You can find information about hundreds of options in our free Career Guide. 

Free Workplace Personality Assessment

If you’re not sure where your strengths lie, or what skills you have or need, our Workplace Personality Assessment will provide you with these answers. Upon completion, we’ll recommend to you a list of courses you can take to get you the necessary knowledge and skills to put you on the right path.

Update Your Resumé

A winning resumé will give you a head start in the eyes of recruitment managers. Take advantage of Alison’s free Resumé Builder tool to create an eye-catching CV that highlights your skills and experience.

Begin today and take the first step to achieving the career of your dreams!

From Marine Corps to Georgetown: How Mack Found Success in the BLS Program

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From Marine Corps to Georgetown: How Mack Found Success in the BLS Program

Earning a degree while juggling work and personal commitments can be a daunting task but as a retired Marine, Mack has experience in meeting difficult challenges. With the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (BLS) from Georgetown University, Mack has found the flexible, affordable, and supportive program he needs in order to pursue his career goals. His remarkable journey is a testament to the learning opportunities available to current and former military service members through the School of Continuing Studies.

Mack’s professional background in the Marine Corps spanned over 30 years, during which he held various roles including Finance Director and Drill Instructor. Motivated to support others, his passion for aiding injured and sick service members led him to start his own business, Mack Strategic Solutions, focused on helping former service members find employment opportunities. At the same time, Mack always hoped to finish his bachelor’s degree, and he saw the perfect chance to do so through the BLS program at Georgetown. He says, “I knew I wanted to revisit my education to improve my skills. I just knew getting my degree would help me learn how to be more efficient and effective in completing my work.”

Mack was made aware of the BLS program because of Georgetown’s longstanding commitment to supporting students who have military ties. From the moment he first interacted with university staff, Mack felt a sense of care and guidance that would prove to be invaluable in his educational journey. He says, “The entire staff, really, is there to help you and do everything they can to make sure you succeed. They’re super responsive. Georgetown offered a lot of resources.” Engaging with the university’s military-connected community and the program’s resources solidified his interest.

Mack was also drawn to the BLS program due to its curricular approach and online format. Choosing the Interdisciplinary Studies concentration meant that he could explore different subject areas and tailor his coursework to align with his career goals and personal interests. The high quality of the faculty at Georgetown also played a crucial role in Mack’s student experience. For example, a public policy course that he took was particularly influential in broadening his horizons and equipping him with valuable skills related to his goal of championing wounded warriors. In addition, the online environment of Coursera was another aspect that Mack appreciated about his student experience. He notes that he’s been able to cut down his commute time, as there’s no physical classroom or campus to attend, and he could complete coursework on his own schedule with the asynchronous format. Via the Coursera mobile app, Mack could even access course materials while on the go, as well as save content for offline access.

Mack takes full advantage of opportunities to connect with faculty and classmates during optional live sessions. By engaging with his faculty, he benefits from the expertise of the distinguished scholars and industry leaders who teach his classes. “The professors are just great”, said Mack, adding “They’ve taught me so many things.” He feels confident that the  professional contacts that he has made in the program will continue to benefit him after graduation.

Mack’s journey in the BLS program thus far has already been nothing short of life-changing. He is equipping himself with a wide range of skills, from problem-solving and communication skills,  to leadership and project management strategies. By tapping into the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum, he has built a solid foundation for his future endeavors.

As Mack nears ‌graduation, he advises those considering the program to apply: “I would absolutely encourage anyone that wants to get their degree to come to this program. You won’t  be disappointed.” Like Mack, other current and former military service members can take control of their student experience and pursue their academic and professional goals with a BLS degree from Georgetown. If you’re ready to embark on a similar journey towards a bachelor’s degree, Georgetown and Coursera are here for you every step of the way.

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University.

Weekly Student News Quiz: Israel-Hamas War, Medical Breakthrough, Apple

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Weekly Student News Quiz: Israel-Hamas War, Medical Breakthrough, Apple

A century ago, on March 21, 1924, a dinner party in New York with intellectual and artistic luminaries such as Alain Locke, W.E.B. Du Bois, Jessie Fauset and James Weldon Johnson set in motion one of the most influential cultural movements of the 20th century.

What was that movement?

Have You Ever Lost Someone as a Friend?

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Have You Ever Lost Someone as a Friend?

Have you ever lost touch with a good friend? If so, how did it happen? Did you move to a new neighborhood, change schools, find a new social circle — or did the two of you just drift apart?

In “The Friends Who Got Away,” Frank Bruni laments the puzzling loss of friendships in his life:

Where did J. go? For a while there, he was such a treasured part of my life, someone I thought about frequently, someone I yearned to see, someone whose dinner company I relished, someone whose emails made me smile. I can’t remember how we met — a mutual acquaintance, I think — but after we did, I never traveled to his city without contacting him in advance and making plans to see him. And he regularly checked in on me.

Until he stopped. Was that five years ago? More? And did he stop, or did I? I’m not sure. I just know that I was busy, he was busy, my travel decreased and one day I suddenly realized that we’d lost touch with each other. I also felt strangely timid about reaching out: If he wanted to hear from me, wouldn’t I have heard more recently from him? Or was he thinking the exact same thing?

I wondered and wondered. Then some pressing obligation or competing anxiety tugged my attention elsewhere. Then more time went by. And here J. and I are — or, rather, aren’t. We’re onetime confidants who never had a falling out, never said a proper goodbye, simply evaporated from each other’s lives like dew from a blade of grass.

I’m haunted by how many times, and with how many friends, that has happened. By how the bustle of our lives and the bustle in our heads take people away from us, though we never intended to let them go. By how unintentional, unavoidable and subtly but stubbornly sad that is.

There are friends in our pasts who are there for obvious reasons. We disappointed or hurt them. They disappointed or hurt us. The relationship wasn’t healthy or ceased to be happy, and while that was unfortunate and perhaps painful, it was also clear. It demanded a change. Those friends don’t exit our thoughts, but they also don’t hover there like question marks. We understand what happened, even if we mourn it.

But there are at least as many friends in our pasts for no specific reason, and the older I grow, the more that nags at me.

Baking

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Baking

“The simple act of baking can conjure unexpected delight,” writes the Times Food columnist Genevieve Ko, who has been baking since she was eight. She writes:

When you’re preparing a meal and starting with salmon and potatoes, you end up with cooked salmon and potatoes. But when you’re baking, you start with a slew of powders, golden butter and an egg, and you end up with crackly-edged, chewy blondies.

Do you bake? Why do you enjoy it, if so? What do you like to bake most? What recipes are on your list to try?

Have you ever had a baking disaster? If so, did you manage to save your creation in the end?

Tell us in the comments, then read the related article to learn five beginner recipes.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Picture Prompts here.

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