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