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Don't
become a Dinosaur
These days we talk about doing business in the global knowledge
economy. Is learning optional? What really is the value
of learning? As the knowledge aspect of the phrase implies,
learning is at the core of all we do. New technology means
we must learn to make use and take advantage of these new
tools. Knowledge is a key requirement in Information Technology.
This applies to all - IT professionals and users. It is
often said that knowledge and experience come first in the
IT industry. So what is your attitude towards learning in
IT? Why is learning so critical for the IT team? Never make
the mistake that learning is for the sake of learning. The
learning industry grows in all sectors of the industry because
knowledge is at the heart of Information Technology. IT
is nothing without knowledge.
Knowledge is about Value
For anybody working in IT, your knowledge is your power.
"The more you know the more you can". "You
are only as good as what you know". But is knowledge
just ability? Knowledge is to large extent about value.
It's about making you valuable. Your skills and knowledge
must translate to value. Knowledge is nothing without value.
How does what you know create value? No stories, please.
Knowledge should create value. What are you bringing to
the table? What do you know means what is your value? Value
is not abstract. It should confer advantage on the beneficiaries.
How do your skills and knowledge make you, your clients
and employers more productive, efficient and profitable?
What is the value proposition you offer? When you increase
your value rather than your cost, you become more marketable
and employable.
Focus
on Value NOT Cost
Most of the time our concern is on our cost not our value.
Cost relates to salary, retainer fees, allowances, consulting
fees, perks, benefits, holidays, official car, bonuses,
etc. It's good to have a comfortable well paying job or
work that allows you to meet all your personal needs. But
an outlook that focuses only on cost is both myopic and
regressive. For example, consider a highly knowledgeable
and well-paid web developer who contributes little to the
bottom line of clients or employers? What is the value?
What is the cost? Having the skills and certifications are
not enough? Having a great paying job is not enough? What
are you contributing? Get past the "show-me-the-fat-salary"
syndrome. A fat pay does not equate to career success. It
can in fact become a prison that keeps you from achieving
your career goals. Get your priorities right - it is very
easy to be vegetate away in a high paying position.
Knowledge
for Career Growth
Talking about priorities, to ensure growth and value enhancement,
your career needs must be paramount. Such needs should be
based your career plan and objectives (http://www.jidaw.com/careerplan.html).
You need to acquire knowledge and develop skills that will
make meaningful impact on your career growth. Focused learning
benefits you by adding value to your career. What are your
knowledge needs in line with your career focus? Don't wait
for the ideal conditions or situation. Continuously explore
various learning options - formal and informal. Your knowledge
options - training, certification and work experience -
should be considered within the context of your unique,
individual career development plan. What is your current
career situation? What stage are you at your career? What
is your current situation with respect to your work or profession?
If you are out of work, what is your background? Are you
self-employed? Or are you a student? Identify what you must
learn. What practical knowledge do you have? How relevant
are your present skills and experience to your goals? Which
areas require improvement? And most importantly consider
your non-tech knowledge needs as well. Soft skills are extremely
critical to career growth. Look at your needs in soft skills
- business, communications, presentation, personal networking,
people skills, project management, leadership, and teamwork.
Avoid the Dinosaur syndrome
As an IT professional how current are you? Are you up to
date with technology trends? What is your level of expertise
with current technologies? What is your knowledge of new
and upcoming technologies? Acquisition of knowledge adds
more value by putting you ahead of the curve when you have
in-demand skills that are not commonplace. These skills
represent real sources of value to individuals who hold
them, and organizations that use their services. IT professionals
that get ahead are those who keep their skills ahead of
the pack. You can't afford to become a dinosaur in IT. You
need to have the foresight to plan ahead. But interest is
cheap. Dig deep and make the effort. How will new technologies
impact your career, your business, and your clients? What
opportunities and challenges do they present? Take the initiative.
Don't wait to be spoon-fed or simply jump on the bandwagon.
This requires resourcefulness on your part. In the IT industry
continuous self-development is not an option. It is a critical
necessity. You can't claim to like the IT field and yet
be unwilling to make the effort required for constant knowledge
acquisition. Be Wise. In the IT field, ignorance is the
path of the dinosaur. Use credible resources available to
help you learn more in your areas of interest. Keep abreast
of the latest industry news and tech advancements in your
area of interest, through seminars (http://www.jidaw.com/netseminar.html)
, email newsletters, and of course the Web. The Internet
can be used for education and continuous self-development,
through e-mail newsletters and sites with IT content.
The Internet
How effectively do you use the Internet? And I'm not talking
about just e-mail and chat, which is good for communication
and interaction. But what about the information search,
opinion resource, research and investigative capabilities
of the Net? Are you using it to create opportunity? Any
IT professional that doesn't use the Internet effectively
is like someone fighting with one hand tied behind his back.
It is like someone who insists on using a candle despite
the availability of electricity. Crazy, isn't it?! In the
dark, you might see with a candle, but your opportunities
are limitless with electricity. The Internet is today's
tool. It has come to stay. In the highly competitive IT
market if you don't use the Internet effectively you put
yourself at a serious disadvantage.
New Technology & Self Development
You cannot afford to be outdated or allow your skills to
stagnate. Yesterday's knowledge may not be able to handle
today's IT environment. The IT field is one of the fastest
developing fields worldwide. Job and tech markets change
all the time. What is in demand today may be obsolete tomorrow.
Continuous self-development helps you avoid becoming a slave
to technology. Technology is changing the world as we know
it but not all new technology is useful or relevant. Technology
is also not a "cure-all". Self development gives
you the true and realistic picture of what new technology
can and cannot do. You cannot serve the best interests of
your clients or employers well if you only have outdated
ideas and information. For example, as a Network Administrator,
what is your take on Wireless LANs (WLAN)?
Certification Updates
To keep current with changing technology, most IT professional
certification providers require periodic updates. Have the
right attitude towards certification changes - they are
not meant for punishing or stressing out certification candidates.
These periodic updates enhance the relevance and value of
the certifications. As technology changes, related certifications
must reflect these changes to remain relevant. If you are
eager to learn and increase your value, certification involves
choosing a content area that is at a premium in the industry
and offers a natural fit into your career plan.
It's all about Lifelong Learning
But simply because you are certified, or you have many years
of experience, does not mean you should go to sleep. Certifications
do not remove the need for continuous self-development.
It is impossible for the content from a degree course or
certification program to sustain you throughout your working
career. This is particularly true in the IT field since
it has such a rapid rate of change. Continuous self-development
is essential to keep your skills and knowledge current.
You
know Windows XP. You are wonderful with Cisco. You have
a great understanding of system security. Your success is
guaranteed the IT world, right? Dream on. Without Lifelong
learning, you won't get anywhere. There are no shortcuts.
Lifelong learning is a necessity, not a luxury for all of
us. You shouldn't expect meaningful and sustainable career
growth based only on knowledge you gained in the past. Only
dinosaurs thrive in the past. Some see this state of affairs
as a challenge; others view it as an opportunity. No matter
how you look at it, IT demands an ongoing investment in
skill development. Ignorance at any level is dangerous in
IT. In the IT arena, "it is what you don't know that
can hurt you." Like any disease it is better to prevent
ignorance than to cure or manage it. Do you use IT? Are
you in IT? Continue to learn, and you'll maintain what you've
got. It isn't always easy, but it certainly beats just sitting
back and taking whatever comes along. You can't afford to
become a dinosaur.
All
the best in your IT Career,
Jide Awe
Jide
Awe is the Managing Director of Jidaw Systems Limited (MASTERCOMPUTERS),
an IT Training and Certification provider that focuses on
building IT Careers and publishes http://www.jidaw.com,
an IT Career portal.
Contact him at md@jidaw.com , to see this topic, head to
the IT Career Guide: http://www.jidaw.com/itcareer.html
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