I always found it weird in Alpha we could 'specialize' in everything.
I like having to pick what tech to specialize in. I often check with the other alien races and see what they picked, and pick the one not avail. through diplomacy.
I then buy the other ones, and pick future techs knowing that the alien races picked cost minimization consistently.
I soon find myself with a MUCH more robust tech arsenal than my opponents and all it cost me was credits which I make sick amounts per turn (usually around 3,000 to 5,000 per turn)