Specialise or broad knowledge

[hargi]

Just wondering what people think about this?

Is it better to specialise in one area, if so what would you recommend? or have a shallower knowledge of lots of things?
Mainly thinking of career wise?

Here's the deal. I have my own company that's just me. My background is web design with a bit of programming. Then I got into e-learning (Fronter) and creating on-line courses for students. After getting made redundant I set up on my own and look after a few primary schools and do some occasional websites.
See the problem I have or I think I have is I can keep things ticking over nicely in a primary school, install a simple network and keep pc's running. Other stuff I would have to look up but feel confident in. But if you were to come to me and say hey set up a exchange server or SCCM or something like that I wouldnt have a clue without lots of Googling, even DNS issues confuse me.
Same with the web design I could knock up websites for small businesses and schools etc wordpress/html/css. But anything more complicated then I would be found out.
So at the moment I feel like I can do what I'm required to do.

However I feel that I am slipping between the cracks and as my week is split in two half networks and the other half working from home / web. I don't know what to do. I have tried getting more schools but nothing came of that. Its knowing where to focus. At the moment I'm making ends meet and to be fair its not a bad income for the hours I work, but could just do to be doing more.

 

[[FnG]magnolia]

'Jack of all trades' came to mind when I read your post and I think that's okay. Upskilling generally requires a lot of time, effort and money (and willingness) so I'd be having a pretty good think about whether that appeals or whether you double down on knowing a little about a lot.

 

[balky12]

Depends if you want t stay at your current level.

Imo, the specialised vs jack of all trades differs depending on how 'senior', you get.

Why senior management is made up of various people, each specialised in an area. Why good managers delegate. Why top CEO's are those who surround themselves with various people who know an area each maybe just a bit better than they do.

To answer your question; you're not going to lose the knowledge you have. So perhaps just pick an area you enjoy? Focus on that. Or perhaps go find out what's in high demand and skill for that?