Career Planing Is all About Atitude

Career Planning - It's all about Attitude!

What is career planning? Career planning is the first step for success with your career. Unfortunately, many professionals are not in control of their careers. They simply watch their careers unfold, not knowing how they will attain their career goals or what they want to achieve.

  

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” To answer the question, you need to plan your career. Take a look ahead and create your future. It isn't always easy or straightforward, but it’s better than just sitting back and taking whatever comes your way. You may get ahead without a plan, but it is doubtful that you will reach your full potential.

Fortunately, career planning is never too late. IT Managers, Professionals, trainees, newcomers or Chief Information Officers (CIO) all need to take a look into the future.

An “I-don’t-care” or “anything goes” approach won't allow you to reach your potential. You and other professionals have a choice; you can decide to take control of your career through planning and by taking wise decisions based on these plans. Don’t let your career happen! Make your career happen! Clearly you need to be self-motivated with a relatively clear sense of who and what you want to be.

In Information Technology arena, too many people focus on certification, training, other career tools and career benefits without any consideration for career growth. It’s time to stop chasing form at the expense of substance. Training, certification and work experience are best considered within the context of your unique, individual career development plan. How can you prepare for a certification when you don’t even have a clue on your area of interest? The issue of certification comes only after you have a realistic career development plan in place.

Assessment
A career development plan requires what I term as career self assessment and career situation assessment. What do I mean by career self-assessment?

Self-assessment

Career self-assessment requires to you ask and answer questions that relate to your career and life expectations. You must know who you are. Period! How can you know what you want if you don’t know who you are? What makes you tick? Know yourself – what is your passion? You must ask yourself the questions: What sort of working life do you want? What type of work or activity makes you happy? What are your career goals? What are your ambitions, personal or lifestyle preferences?

In terms of career satisfaction what is important to you? It is essentially about the direction you want your life to go. What matters? What is your purpose? Your love of IT is not enough. You should have a big picture. What is your purpose? What is your vision? Where are you going? Not where is everybody going? George Bernard Shaw had this say “Some men see things as they are and ask why. Others dream things that never were and ask why not.”  What is your WHY?

Generally, the areas you should consider are: Nature of work, Work interests, Recognition, Security, Income (Salary and benefits), Personal / Family life, Opportunities for growth and Responsibility. What gives you career satisfaction in each of these areas? Which areas are of top priority, which are unimportant, which are you indifferent to? Through this you can identify IT jobs and computing environments that interest you. And getting answers isn’t like instant coffee. 

Getting answers may not be immediate. Answers may also not be obvious. Use reliable resources available to help you learn more about your areas of interest. You may have to dig deep and be resourceful. Ask questions, talk to people in the field, network and attend professional and career forums.

It helps to state your goals in black and white. You may need to write down your professional short- and long-term goals. Be descriptive and edit them over and over until you are sure these goals are what you desire.

A valuable career self-assessment is one that is honest. Lying to yourself will not help. Also you need to drop the get-rich-quick mentality. Approach your IT Career like a marathon, not a short sprint. Be Wise. If immediate results are what you are after, then the IT field might not be for you. 

Be realistic in your expectations. Fulfillment is a function of expectations. Don’t copy others. Don’t run with the goals of other people. Too many people set goals and take jobs not because they really want them but because they believe that’s what others expect of them. They want to be part of the in-crowd. Whose plan is it, anyway? Career planning is very much about choosing the direction that you want to take in your life. You must own your plan, you must own your goals. Understand, and be happy, with what you want to do.

Situation assessment

Next you need to do what I would call a career situation assessment. What is your current career situation? You know where you want to get to, but how near or far are you? What stage are you at in your career? What is your current situation with respect to your work or profession? Are you in a job that will take you to your ideal situation?

If you are out of work, what is your background? Are you self-employed? Or are you a student? Again you must use the criteria you used for your career self-assessment to assess your current career status.

Are you currently meeting your expectations in terms of Nature of work, Security, Income (Salary and benefits), Personal / Family life, Opportunities for growth, Responsibility, etc? This involves assessing your current skills and experience to identify what you must learn, or experience you need to acquire to excel. What practical knowledge do you have? What are your academic qualifications? Do you have a sound technical background? How relevant are your present skills and experience to your goals? Where are you in relation to where you want to go?

Which areas require improvement? Since you know your career goals it should be easy for you to identify your career gaps.

Closing the Career Gap

The next step is therefore what you must do to address these career gaps or shortcomings.
So how do you actually reach your career goal? You need to be focused. It must be pointed out at this juncture that despite all the hype, certification or training is not the solution to all your career limitations. Some career shortcomings will not be solved through certification. There are no silver bullets. And don’t be distracted by the multitude bells and whistles that dominate the IT industry.

Deciding on a particular profession or job is only half the task. "A dream without a plan is a nightmare". Focus. Planning helps you with (WHY and HOW) focusing and organizing yourself. Get your priorities right. Sometimes we do things right but focus helps you to do the right thing.  What you need to do is to develop a step-by-step plan. As stated earlier, the essence of a career plan is in knowing what you want and determining how to get it.

To close the gap, I advise that you consider these career-planning issues:

1.       Choose the steps (i.e., decisions and actions) that you will take to achieve your career goals. What are the common steps that other people have taken to prepare for and to enter the particular area of IT you have chosen? Which route will you take in your journey? Your career should be a series of calculated steps that lead to an end result. There may be more than one path to reach your goal, but which is the right path for you? These actions and decisions may include training, certification, formal education, work experience or internship. Some cases require developing soft skills. Others need a change of attitude, job, location or work environment. Consider these steps carefully and choose the ones that you believe will work for you. Understand why you are doing what you are doing. But don't shy away from being creative. You may also choose steps that are entirely unique to you as long as you are sure they will get you to your destination. The decision on what these steps are and where they will ultimately lead to is uniquely yours. You must own the process; set a course and stick with it.

2.       Most of the time when we look at IT careers we focus only on opportunities and demand – the attractions. To succeed you have to consider the challenges and obstacles you might encounter as you attempt to reach your career goal. The road might be thorny and rocky. Nobody said it would be easy. Don’t avoid challenges. Some roadblocks could actually be opportunities in disguise. Attitude is key when challenges come. A strong WHY will carry you through such situations. But which other resources can you muster to overcome each obstacle?

3.       Time to achieve your goals is a serious issue you must consider. You need to have a means of measuring your progress. Since the career planning is done using a step-by-step approach, how long should it take you to complete each step you have identified? When exactly do you expect to arrive at your destination?

4.       It is not enough to identify the steps you are going to take, you must also decide on the step-by-step process you will take to achieve your ultimate career goal. In which order will you pursue your career plan? Set your priorities. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe advises, "Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." But please be proactive and stop waiting for ideal or perfect conditions.Opportunities and resources available to you often determine the order you follow. For example, if certification is in your plan, but you presently lack the financial resources required for effective certification preparation, it will be unwise to allow the certification need stand in the way of your progress. Do other things that will still assist in moving you forward. Keep doing things that contribute positively to your growth. See beyond the surface. Be creative and display initiative. Invest in other useful areas and be creative. But make sure you focus on things that matter.

5.   Implement your Career Advancement preferences. It is not enough to plan you must follow through.Setting career goals is important. But planning is a lame excuse for unfruitful career indecision. Be Wise. Your IT Career isn't just about planning. It's about doing, not promising to do. You must follow through. Implement your career plan based on the (1)-(4). Develop a big picture mentality. It is important that you strike the right balance - understand what you need to do now, immediately and also how it fits into your long-term strategy.

Resourcefulness 

What these 5 points emphasize is that it is absolutely critical that you realize career planning involves doing an in-depth industry / career analysis with your career needs in mind. Resourcefulness is key. It is not only about decision-making but also about gathering career information in a wise and purposeful manner. You simply must do your homework - do your research.

In considering these points, it helps to talk to human resources personnel, career planners, academic/career counselors and employment agencies that hire people in your area of IT. Talk to people who have or are currently working in the IT career you're considering – professionals and entrepreneurs. Find out as much as you can about the profession and the types of skills they had to develop. Find out about the challenges and how to overcome them.

You can also discuss your career goals with your manager, counselors, teachers, or instructors. For example, if training is a requirement, find out about the training required to reach your goals from training schools and instructors.

Constant Evaluation/Assessment

Career planning should be dynamic, and not static. What did you like and dislike, after implementing? Were some of your assumptions wrong? You need to be sensitive to changes in your career path by being flexible and open to new avenues.

IT as a fast growing and fast changing field presents a challenge for all of us who want to work and succeed in IT. Your career option matters, it works, but will it last? The key is constant renewal.

Lifelong Learning is not an option but a necessity. Going to sleep is a luxury you can’t afford. Monitor trends and keep yourself up to date. Opportunities can always arise from new developments, new knowledge and insights. Keep yourself informed on a continuous basis. The continual study of new technologies is necessary to keep computer skills current. It is your responsibility to keep on investing in yourself. Always look for ways to grow in your career and skills, through continuous skill development, by attending work or career -related training / seminars, reading relevant text, taking online courses or pursuing further education. 

In IT, the importance of managing your career and keeping informed about developments that touch on your career preferences is imperative. In this respect while your career planning must be focused, it must not “lock-you-in”, by being inflexible to changes in the environment and your desires.

It’s your life

I hope you find the ideas in this article useful. However, at the end of the day, it’s all about attitude. Are you learning or working with a purpose? What is your big picture? Let the main issue be the main issue. Know who you are, know what you’re doing, know where you’re going. Don’t run with some else’s goals - your purpose is yours and yours to own.

What is your focus? Nothing is cast in stone, so keep your options open. Career planning is all about taking your destiny in your own hands. Get out of your comfort zone. You cannot succeed with career planning if you approach life in an unplanned, careless manner. Are you coasting along just hoping for the best? “The person who waits for roast chicken to fall into his mouth will wait very long.” 

Wake up! Start channeling your high energy into making your career happen. Don’t be fooled by the masquerade called lethargy, it looks harmless, but lethargy is the beast you must tame.

Approach your career planning with sincerity and wisdom. Career planning is neither difficult nor time-consuming if done properly. You simply need to be focused.

In the words of William Ernest Henley, “It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.”

All the best in your IT Career

IT CAREER AND CERTIFICATION

 The IT Career and Certification

In The buzz in the IT industry is usually about hot certifications and hot jobs. Where does an IT Career come in? Having a career in IT involves providing IT service for a living. IT is quite wide with many different fields such as Engineering, Networking, Programming, Database Administration, Web Development, Research and of course Entrepreneurship. .

  

Each of these fields has unique requirements. Choosing a career in any of these fields requires knowledge and information about the nature of the job and its requirements.

So how does all this relate to certification? IT Certification is a growing trend that can’t be ignored by anyone with more than a passing interest in the IT industry. More and more potential and working IT professionals want to get certified.

Why Certification?
Many ask, why certification? The reasons vary, but many people find that it is an industry recognized and valued credential. It has been known to create opportunities for professionals with either a prospective employer or client. It is no wonder that employers use certification as a condition for employment, as well as rewarding certifications earned with job advancement or promotions.
The evolving scenario in all sectors of activity is one of a growing complexity of computer systems and businesses dependence on them. Qualified and competent IT professionals are needed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of computers. All sectors of the economy require the services of skilled technical IT personnel. But IT skills demand far outstrips supply. Furthermore, today, the telling inadequacy of the formal education system has contributed in making IT certification the main issue in IT education. Skilled professionals are urgently needed to create, operate, maintain and program computers.
It follows that there must also be standards to confirm the skill level and experience of such individuals. Certification gives an IT professional, a valued credential that is recognized in the IT industry.
Not only that, it is a powerful tool for providing job opportunities and for meeting challenges on the job. Improved income and enhanced job credibility are powerful motivators for becoming IT certified. There are also numerous valuable sponsor benefits. Employees and employers cannot afford to ignore IT certification.
But are these benefits automatic? The answer is no. For an individual, it always makes sense to approach certification within the context of an IT career. The first thing is to be sure that you want a career in IT. New entrants to, and professionals in, the IT field must know what it is all about and if IT certification is a route they must take.

Career Development
The question of which certification will boost your career will come after you are sure that certification will enable you to meet your career objectives. There is nothing like certification for certification’s sake. Certification should be considered within the context of your unique, individual career development plan. The issue of certification comes only after you have a realistic career development plan in place. So what does having a career development plan entail?
A career development plan requires what I term as career self assessment and career situation assessment. What do I mean by career self-assessment? Career self-assessment requires to you ask and answer questions that relate to your career expectations. You must ask yourself the questions: What sort of working life do you want? What are your career goals? What are your ambitions, personal or lifestyle preferences? In terms of career satisfaction what is important to you? Generally, the areas you should consider are: Nature of work, Work interests, Recognition, Security, Income (Salary and benefits), Personal / Family life, Opportunities for growth and Responsibility. Simply put what would give you career satisfaction in each of these areas? Which areas are of top priority, which are unimportant, which are you indifferent to?
A valuable career self-assessment is one that is honest. Lying to yourself will not help.
Next you need to do what I would call a career situation assessment. 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? Are you in a job that meets your ideal situation? If you are out of work, what is your background? Are you self-employed? Or are you a student? Again you must use the criteria you used for your career self-assessment to assess your current career status. Are you currently meeting your expectations in terms of Nature of work, Security, Income (Salary and benefits), Personal / Family life, Opportunities for growth, Responsibility, etc?
Which areas require improvement? It must be pointed out at this juncture that certification is not the solution to all your career limitations. Some career shortcomings will not be solved through certification. Your career development plan therefore involves action you will take to address any career gaps or shortcomings.
Training, certification, work experience, change of attitude, formal education, job change, or change of location or work environment may address some career deficiencies.
So what are the career goals you want to use certification to achieve? Certification is ideal for addressing career deficiencies if the lack can be resolved by acquiring or increasing valued IT skills and qualifications. Limited knowledge of new or relevant technical areas can also be addressed by certification. So is certification for you?
If certification is for you, you need to address issues relating to the quality and amount of resources, you are able and willing to commit to certification. The resources to consider are: time, money and effort. How much time do you have for study, for taking the exams and for training? Some programs will demand more of your time than others. What is your work schedule like? Will you be able to take time off for training?
Money is an issue. How much money do you have to spend? How much do you have to spend on training, books, training materials, training CDs if necessary, practice tests, testing fees? Certification is a career investment, so it is important to do some form of cost benefit analysis. Don’t look at the money simply in terms of what you’re investing now.
To succeed, time and money must be spent with a well-defined and directed focus. Availability of time and money will not guarantee success without the necessary commitment and effort. Be honest with yourself. How much effort can you make towards achieving certified status. Effort required varies from program to program. It is advisable that you gauge your level of commitment.

Which Certification?
If certification is a solution, the question is which certification? You should now begin to identify certification programs that fit into your career plan. MCSE, A+ (sponsored by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)), Java2 (sponsored by Sun Microsystems), Oracle (sponsored by Oracle Corporation), CCNA (sponsored by Cisco Systems) are some of the most popular certification at the moment.
Although some certification programs are more popular than some, it doesn’t mean that the others aren’t valuable to you. Always avoid the bandwagon effect or “money only” attitude. One has to match his or her interests, work goals, time availability and financial resources to a certification program. It is better to choose a certification that is in line with your goals rather than choosing any popular certification program.
For example, if your career self-assessment and your present career situation points towards networking certification, you may consider programs such as MCSE, Network+, CCNA or Certified Novell Engineer (CNE). You will then have to consider your available resources in terms of money, time and effort.
Practical Certification
But before you conclude on a certification program, there are still some practical issues you must consider. For each certification you are considering what are the actual strengths, weaknesses or potentials of the program in industry? Get information about the programs. We live in the information age. Use information to succeed. How is the program valued by industry? A certification’s credibility is ultimately affected by the reputation, real or perceived of the organization backing and administering it. What is the level of recognition in industry? What do employers think of it? Get information from training schools. Do your research.
Don’t restrict your research to your immediate environment. Because certification is a global trend, it is advisable to visit sponsor’s sites as well as various independent certification support / information sites on the web. You can only take the right decision with a balanced opinion of the real potentials of certification programs that have been identified.
Furthermore, you have to realize that IT certification is not a cure-all. An IT career is more than the acquisition of technical skills and knowledge. An IT professional is incomplete without the right professional attitude. Certification to a large extent focuses on skills and knowledge. Professional Ethics must guide an IT professional when working and interacting with Clients/Customers, his or her organization and society. We must all widen our view that limits professionalism to simply the application of skills, knowledge and experience.
Additionally, for a certification program to be valued and accepted, there must be a proven connection between accepted work experience and certification. Is a certification a valid test of an individual’s ability to demonstrate command over a body of knowledge and apply that knowledge productively? Or is it “paper certification” which only demonstrates a person’s ability to cram and pass a test?
We are concerned with certifications that mean something. It is about demonstrating that you are an expert in a particular area or areas and a reputable, recognized organization is willing to attest to that, and by you confirming that on the job.
Certification must also be seen as a continuous process. You should continually set new goals and update yourself. To stay ahead, you have to keep on learning.
Finally, never forget that Certification is not an end in itself; it should be part of your career advancement strategy. Your goal should be to succeed in the IT industry, while achieving career satisfaction.
All the best in your IT Career

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What Is Professional Certification?

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  What Is Professional Certification?
  Professional certification is a process in which a person proves that he or she has the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job. ...
  
  
  Professional certification is a process in which a person proves that he or she has the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job. The proof comes in the form of a certificate earned by passing an exam that is accredited by an organization or association that monitors and upholds prescribed standards for the particular industry involved. The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is a leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations.
  

  A wide variety of industries and careers offer professional certification, from highly technical jobs and human services of all kinds to jobs in the arts, including ballroom dancing. In each case, the certificate assures employers, customers, students, and the public that the certificate holder is competent and professional.

  In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice. Doctors, teachers, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and pilots are examples.

  What’s in it for You?

  Professional certification shows employers and clients that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities. Certification makes you more valuable to employers and so you can expect to:

  • Enjoy better employment and advancement opportunities
  • Have a competitive advantage over candidates without certificates
  • Earn higher wages
  • Receive tuition reimbursement for continuing education

  Sampling of Careers Requiring Certification

  Many of the careers that require certification are represented here at About.com. Below is a list of articles on various types of certifications. At the end there is also a link to the list of NOCA member organizations that require certificates. It offers an interesting glance at the various types of industries from which to choose if you’re uncertain about which certificate you want.

  • Certified Meeting Professional
  • Coast Guard Captain’s License
  • Culinary Arts Certificates
  • Database Certifications
  • Desktop Publishing Certification
  • ESL Certification
  • Graphic Design
  • Interior Decorating
  • Landscaping Certificate Programs
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Paralegal certificates
  • Professional Counseling
  • Professional Massage Therapy
  • Professional Studies Certificate in Opera
  • Real estate
  • Retail Certification
  • Specialist Certificate for Sign Language Interpreters
  • Technology Certification Glossary
  • Highest paying jobs in the technology industry
  ..

Be wise Tips On IT Career Success

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAREER TIPS - BE WISE 

How to Tips for the Information Technology Career. Be Wise tips are to help you with developing careers in computers for career planning, career choices and IT career strategy.

Boosting computer careers - the computer career in computer and information systems - Information Technology Career Tips. 

You will need to make career choices every step of the way. Decisions will be taken about IT certification, Computer education, Technical training, Practice tests, Study Guides, Exams, IT professionalism and jobs.

A successful IT Career is more about wisdom than anything else. BE WISE!

42. Too often our career growth is hindered because by “good” reasons. It isn’t a crime to experience hiccups in your career journey, but respond with positives - create time, improve your preparation, network, develop your skills. Stop Planting Excuses. Be Wise. Excuses achieve nothing.

What “good” reason can there be for not updating yourself? What are the “good” reasons for your inconsistency? There is no middle ground. You’re either doing something to improve your career or you’re buried in the excuse planting season. If we sow excuses, what do we reap? What’s stopping you from starting? Why have you given up? Be honest, what do you really want from your career - results or excuses? There is no reward for excuses.

41. “Wait for perfect”, “stay with the crowd”, “don’t take risks”. Run, don’t walk away from such thoughts. The worship of fear is born to kill dreams. A programming career without audacity is one without substance and character. Want to build a successful career in Networking? Ignore the familiar and rock the boat! Be Wise. Your career decisions and growth can’t wait for 100% certainty.

Sure plan, do your research, finish your homework, choose wisely. But to start your IT career or business, never ever wait for perfect. And go beyond noise and popularity. What are you afraid of? The unknown, failure, rejection or becoming an outstanding contributor in the IT industry?  

40. SUBSTANCE OR SHOW. Are your career decisions based on substance? Is programming the right path for you, or are you a “me-too” activist? Career growth requires taking risks. But what really is your motive? Money, show or purpose? Is certification what you need, or is the promotion in control? Be Wise. The choices we make are life changing.

Your training decision appears sensible, but how did you choose your course and training institution? What is the main issue driving your job change? Activity can never be a substitute for substance. What matters more - ceremony or career growth?

39. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. IT newcomer at zero level? Or does your career need a lift? Stop waiting for luck or fate. Enough of the excuses! You must own and drive your growth process. Are reward and fulfillment in your IT career horizon? Then banish fear and excuse. Be Wise. Provoke growth - Take risks. Seize the initiative. Connect with family, colleagues, counsellors for support and guidance. But never hand over your power. Nobody else is in charge of your movement forward. It’s your life. It’s your future. Responsibility for your growth lies with you.

38. THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE PROBLEM. When difficulties come how fast can you run? Are you one track minded when career efforts don’t seem to be working? Slow promotion, no job, “Boss-from-hell”? Tough! But develop your turnaround mentality and approach. Be Wise. Sometimes there are no right answers. Growth comes from being comfortable solving problems. Bad exam results do not mean bad IT professional. Career success has several routes. Is that challenge your full-stop or a seed for growth? Enough of the victim sing-song! Instead look for your opportunity in that problem.
 

37. HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY. You have hope and can see opportunity in Information Technology, but are those enough to make your career happen? Where are you? Where are you going? Be Wise. Hoping for the best, “whatever will be, will be”?? Without a sense of direction how will you reach your full potential? What is the purpose of your IT education? Coordinate your efforts and plan with your priorities in mind. Ignore the noisy crowds - let the main issue be the main issue. It is your job to create your own path.

36. DO SOMETHING NOW. You have ideas and you love the IT profession. Great! But unless you act, all you get is a big fat zero. What’s your excuse? The environment isn't right? Expecting to be supported? Be Wise. Wait for perfect and wait forever. Take charge and start building your amazing IT career now. IT professional, make your knowledge move today! Challenges exist but create your own path by investing in effort. Sitting in the farm all day doesn't make you a farmer. It is what you do that matters. Take action. Grumbling never achieves. 

35. MONEY HAS ITS LIMITS. To grow your IT career money helps for training, certification and books. But money is not the supreme ultimate resource. Stop allowing money to limit you! Be Wise. Can money cover up a dinosaur like attitude to tech learning? Or will money buy people networks or goodwill? Without putting in effort, time or common sense what is money? Does money mean creativity? Money assists but understand what money can do for your IT career, alternatives that exist and what you must do for yourself. 

34. CREATIVITY IS NOT A LUXURY. You can't grow by feeding on the predictable. Are you satisfied with the one-way street of convention? Training and certifications aren't enough in the world of constant change. Be Wise. Think outside familiar and comfortable routines to create new value. Is the creative path stressful? Or does it look strange or crazy? So what? Open your mind! Status quo is dead. Growth is the reward for expanding your mental bandwidth. Let dead dogs rest in peace.

33. PURPOSE AND CONTRIBUTION. The IT professional must have goals and a purpose. But it's not just about your agenda. Direction is important but your technical strengths are nothing without the value balance. Be Wise. What are your priorities vis a vis contribution? The key driver for career growth isn't your Java certification or your agenda, but is instead the value you create. Are you solving problems with your programming skills? Does the business make more profit with your networking know-how? Contribution is what gives backbone to your agenda.

32. GET BEYOND THE CERTIFICATE. Has your learning experience honed your problem solving skills and your learning ability? Have you used the classroom to build personal networks and improve your people skills? Be Wise. As you learn, open up your mind to ways of making the right impact in your career. What you put into your learning effort will often determine what you get out of the experience. Do you want growth, or is the certificate your only goal? See further than the certification. 

31. STOP LOOKING FOR GUARANTEES. Building a fulfilling IT career is not maths. Your Java knowledge doesn't guarantee anything. You need to step outside your comfort zone and take calculated risks if you want to succeed in Network security. 

Be Wise. Real IT professionals tackle the unknown and also anticipate and embrace change. The silver bullet-shortcut-password mindset is for robots. Network with other people, take up challenges and apply wisdom while learning from your experiences - both good and bad.

30. IT IS NOT A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY PASTIME. It's about intense preparation and committing lifelong to a full-fledged career. Networking isn't flash-in-the-pan gambling. Or is programming an all comers affair? Be Wise. What is interest without the drive, without commitment? You should enjoy going the extra mile to look for the solutions, to remain current, rather than getting yourself hooked on quick fix supplied by the immediate results druggist.

29. The true IT professional is a positive, knowledgeable and supportive influence. Cisco guru, do you help or do you intimidate with your expertise? King of Java, are we safe in your hands? Be Wise. Trust is the mother of growth. But professionalism and trust isn't just about being "nice". It's also about having the courage and judgment to do the right thing in difficult situations.

28. You're perfect, right? Don't make me laugh! Nobody is an angel. But don't empower your weaknesses. Why let limitations bully you into defeat? Be Wise. Grow, learn from mistakes and empower your positives. Who are you and what do you offer? Despite shortcomings make a difference, be a positive contributor, with your attitude and tech know-how. It is your mission.

27. Knowledge is a "must-have" for your IT career. But have a clear understanding of what knowledge tools (training, education, certification) can and cannot do. What can knowledge do for you and what do you need to do for yourself? Be Wise. While knowledge confers advantage, it doesn't guarantee anything. Without a positive solid ethics attitude, initiative and people skills the train isn't leaving the station.

26. Stop asking only questions about pay, jobs and benefits. Your salary is not your value. Be wise. Growth comes from service and contribution. Ask the right questions: Is there a future in IT? Does that future include me? How do I empower myself to become a value provider?

25. What is your staying power in IT like? You can't afford to get burnt or worn out by the incredible rate of change and challenges. Be Wise. No matter how well you start and perform, how worthwhile is your effort if you don't finish? Develop your backbone with a can-do, can-bounce-back attitude. Achievement requires resilience - commitment and perseverance in the face of change and obstacles.. 

24. Sometimes less is more if you get your priorities right. Vegetating away at a job that doesn't enhance your value, simply because of the money is downright dangerous. Is it just about the pay packet? Be Wise. Growth is when you are creating opportunities for yourself now and in future. It isn't just about a meal ticket.

23. The worst thing you can do to your IT career is to take important decisions, such as investing in certification, without thinking about your long-term career focus. Be Wise. How will your decisions and investment take you from where you are to where you should be? Having a long-term career focus is the single most important driver for high quality career achievement.

22. Run, don't walk away, from any training provider that says you're guaranteed a job if you register for classes with them. Be Wise. Are you more interested in giving somebody money than your education or career?

21. As you gather experience in the industry, don't burn bridges you might need tomorrow. Be Wise. It is easier to succeed when you build your own personal network of individuals that you can rely on for advice, job leads, technical assistance and other helpful support.

20. Have a passion for what you do. Understand, and be happy, with what you do. Be Wise. It's difficult to be motivated; it's difficult to excel when you work at something you don't like.

19. 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.

18. Don't run from challenges that will crop up from time to time in the course of your career. Be Wise. Often challenges are an opportunity to conquer a difficult area, and carve a niche for yourself.

17. Your career is about value. Be Wise. Certifications, tech skills, degrees, experience don't amount to much if you can't use them to create real business value.

16. Focus on substance rather than style when taking career decisions. Be Wise. "All that glitters is not gold". Avoid becoming a hostage, always choose career value over popularity and hype.

15. No IT career is better than the other. Be Wise. "One man's meat is another man's poison". The best career for YOU should be based on YOUR interests, assets and abilities.

14. Setting career goals is important. But planning is a lame excuse for unfruitful career indecision. Be Wise. Your IT Career isn't just about planning. It's also about doing, not promising to do. You must follow through.

13. Approach your IT Career like a marathon, not a short sprint. Be Wise. If immediate results are what you are after, then the IT field might not be for you.

12. As an IT professional, maximize your career advantage by developing a good combination of soft skills and IT knowledge. Be Wise. Of what value are your IT skills, if you can't effective present yourself or your skills?

11: The acquisition of popular advanced level certifications by newcomers is not a guarantee of jobs. Beginners need to master the basics before moving to the advanced. Be Wise. Why waste your money and time on advanced level training and certification that is not useful to you at your level?

10. Integrity is the hallmark of a true IT professional. A bad reputation spreads faster than wild fire. Be Wise. Solid tech and soft skills will not take you anywhere if you can't be trusted.

9. Sometimes the career advice you need to hear may sound upsetting to you. Don't listen only to what you want to hear. Be Wise. Choose Brutal but honest over nice but self-deceit. Use frank but painful advice to make the necessary changes that will grow your career.

8. As you invest in knowledge and self-development don't carried away by "the best". Can you make the effort? The best instructors, books, training centers cannot replace your effort. Be Wise. It is one thing to have "the best" tools, it is another thing to make the effort.

7. Learn from your mistakes and from your successes. Be Wise. If don't make any mistakes, you're not doing anything. You learn and grow not only from what you did right but also from what you messed up.
6: As you develop your IT skills and knowledge never confuse repetition with practice or learning. Be Wise. Mindless repetition on its own is cramming. Repetition must be combined with analysis and understanding to be of benefit to you.
5: Experience is essential for a career in IT. But depending solely on experience limits growth. Be Wise. What is experience without passion or initiative?
Experience on its own restricts you to what you do on a regular basis. To get real value from work experience - Invest in lifelong learning. Invest in a success-driven attitude.
4. Interest in an IT career is of no value without action. Be Wise. Interest is cheap. Effort will cost you. What're you doing? What are you investing to achieve your career goal? Time, money, books or just interest?
3. You will need to use career tools and your personal network as you progress in your career. But don’t be totally dependent on others. Be Wise. Learn how to dig deep by your own effort. To move without resourcefulness is to move in reverse. Besides, whose career is it anyway? 2. IT is not a “get-rich-quick” scheme. IT is professionally and financially rewarding if you focus on acquiring practical skills and building your career rather than on sudden, immediate wealth. Be Wise. Nobody is in IT for the sole purpose of making you rich. If “fast money” is your sole aim, you won’t last under the intense workload and incredible rate of change.
1. Personal networking is essential for career growth. Over 80% of all career opportunities are found through networking. But your personal network doesn't work for you alone. It isn't a self-centered one-man show. Be Wise. What do you contribute to the network? The key to having a strong and dependable personal network is not "receive only" or "give to receive", but instead it is "give more than you receive." 

A successful IT Career is more about wisdom than anything else. BE WISE!

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