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Written by Lorenzo
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Thursday, 20 April 2006 |
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Technical skills are not the only thing employers are looking for when hiring and promoting management-level employees. Great technicians do not necessarily make great managers.
How can you ensure that your students have all the skills necessary for a successful IT career? One difficulty is that technician and IT professional jobs tend to have narrow parameters. The IT industry is an industry of specialists. Yet, eMarketer reports that a majority (67%) of IT managers considered project leadership ability a vital skill that is critical to keep within their organization in the coming years. The 2005 Society for Information Management survey respondents also considered project planning, budgeting and scheduling to be a critical skill, with the highest number of respondents (77%) naming it a priority.
With the baby boomer generation retiring, and a noticeable lack of attention on leadership development, there is a real opportunity for students today to step up to the plate as leaders.
To give your students the best chance of advancement, offer knowledge of more than just technical skills. Give them the opportunity to practice solving management-level problems. Have your students role-play and interact in ways that will develop these skills. Certifications such as CompTIA Project+ are also very useful. CompTIA Project+ is a global credential for those who manage projects. Based on best practices of project management, the exam incorporates universal project management principles, and includes important people skills such as conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, team building/leadership, and setting and managing expectations. Find out more at www.comptia.org/project+.
Good leaders are good communicators. Interpersonal skills are very important for technicians to have. However, many technicians are narrowly focused on their specific skill set. This can make communication with others in the workplace difficult, which is unfortunate because clear, concise communication is very important to managers. Not to mention, it is crucial that key leaders and decision makers trust in their employees’ abilities. Emarketer reports that of respondents to a survey by Frank N. Magrid Associates of small and medium sized business leaders, more than a third (36%) of U.S. SMB leaders rely on professional contacts and colleagues to make decisions.
When training your students, keep in mind the importance of helping them become well-rounded employees. Getting in touch with local employers to find out more about what they are looking for would be a great start. CompTIA’s TechCareer Compass offers training providers help and resources for their students. You can assess your student’s skill level, show them what certifications they need, provide them with career maps and more. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 11 July 2006 )
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