Should I Be a Generalist or a Specialist?

Full script

Read the whole talk.

All slides in one place. Read it through once, then practice slide by slide.

1. 01Generalist or Specialist?

   Hi, everyone. I'm in my last year of university, and I keep asking myself one question: should I become a generalist who knows a little about many things, or a specialist who knows a lot about one thing? Today, I'll think it through with you.

   大家好。我現在讀大學最後一年，一直在問自己一個問題：我應該成為一個對很多事情都懂一點的通才，還是一個對一件事懂得很深的專才？今天，我想和大家一起來想一想。

2. 02What's the Difference?

   A generalist has many different skills, like a person who can design, write, and manage projects. A specialist goes deep into one area, like a heart doctor or a tax expert.

   通才擁有許多不同的技能，比如一個既會設計、又會寫作、還會管理專案的人。專才則在一個領域裡深入鑽研，比如心臟科醫生或者稅務專家。

3. 03Being a Generalist

   On one hand, generalists are flexible. If one job disappears, they can move to another. They also see the big picture, so they're good at connecting people and ideas.

   一方面，通才很靈活。如果一份工作消失了，他們可以換到另一份工作。他們也能看到全域性，所以很擅長把人和想法聯絡起來。

4. 04Being a Specialist

   On the other hand, specialists are hard to replace. When a difficult problem comes up, people look for an expert, and experts are often paid well for their knowledge.

   另一方面，專才很難被取代。遇到難題時，人們會去找專家，而專家往往因為他們的知識而得到很好的報酬。

5. 05Side by Side

   When I compare them, the choice looks like wide versus deep. Both paths have real strengths and real risks.

   比較下來，這個選擇看起來就是「廣」與「深」之間的選擇。兩條路都有真正的優勢，也都有真正的風險。

6. 06My Choice: T-Shaped

   My choice is to become what some people call "T-shaped." I want one deep skill, data analysis, and a basic understanding of many other areas, like design and business.

   我的選擇是成為有些人所說的「T型人才」。我想擁有一項深入的技能，也就是資料分析，同時對設計、商業等許多其他領域有基本的瞭解。

7. 07Conclusion

   In conclusion, I don't think we have to choose only one path. Go deep in one thing, but stay curious about many. What about you? Thank you.

   總之，我認為我們不必只選一條路。在一件事上鑽研得深，同時對很多事保持好奇。你們呢？謝謝大家。