The IT industry has never been known for sitting still, so
those who aspire to make it their life's work have to train to keep
pace. But what's the best kind of training and how do you pursue it when
the demands of daily work already have you burning the midnight
oil?
There are several ways to ensure that you're keeping up to
speed with your clients, company, the industry, and your own
professional goals. The training methods that get the most attention are
classroom-based and home-based training, but what about the other
training opportunities--many of them absolutely free--that are right
there in front of you?
For example, I recommend joining
professional associations. For our company the Project Management
Institute and the Help Desk Institute are worthy organizations,
providing certifications and learning opportunities of their own. Your
company or industry may value another organization. Speak to your human
resources representative to find out.
The other way to provide
training opportunities for yourself is to devise a plan for training at
the office--a Learn While You Work Program of your very own. You might
not think of your day-to-day routine as providing you with training
opportunities, but that's what I mean about thinking outside the box.
Here are some examples of what I'm talking about:
* Shadow
a co-worker during his or her workday. Pick someone outside your
department so you learn what another company department does that you
might contribute to some day.
* Accompany a sales person on a
sales call. If the salesperson is a good one, he or she will let the
potential client do all the talking. You'll discover what the client's
concerns and goals really are, how your skills can make a difference and
what role IT plays in the delivery of the client's product or
project.
* Attend a management staff meeting. Now here's an eye
opener. You'll learn how IT impacts the company's strategies, direction
and operations. It may be difficult to be included depending on the
agenda for the meeting, so it may be a few weeks before you can
attend.
* Volunteer to do assignments that are companywide or
outside your department. Again the perspective gained will assist you as
you provide IT services.
* Go to an in-house seminar if your
company provides them.Again, what have you got to lose beside perhaps a
lunch hour?
* Develop a relationship with a mentor. This is
something you may have to do intentionally, unless you're lucky enough
to get the right person to volunteer to play that role in your career,
and most seasoned professionals don't know to offer unless they are
asked.
* Fill in for another employee at a staff meeting. You
shouldn't have trouble finding someone who wouldn't mind missing a
meeting.
* Volunteer to join a team. If your company has a
charitable event every year, join in. What they say about getting more
than you give is true.
* When you volunteer for assignments, make
sure they are ones that will stretch you. That shouldn't be hard since
learning about a new area is always challenging. It will add to your
adaptability which is key in the IT profession.
* Increase the
scope of the tasks assigned to you. Take on more than is asked of you.
Pursue additional opportunities not on the original list. Try an avenue
that someone says was already tried. Who knows, you may discover the
missing link that was previously unnoticed.
So keeping up with the
demands of the IT profession doesn't have to mean sitting in a classroom
or sitting in front of a computer screen to provide the challenge of
thinking outside the box. But again, you have to set a goal for yourself
and make it happen if you're going to learn at work.
Today's IT
professional is someone who is constantly called upon to work in new
settings, with unfamiliar people and with new programs. Keeping an open
mind is key to finding solutions to company and systems log jams.
New solutions that have never been thought of before are a
requirement and so is the personal and professional training that will
allow you to be the one who comes up with that solution. It's never too
late to start, either. How about today?
Samantha O'Neill is
vice president of human resources, Ajilon Consulting.
