The IT Career: Top Dos and Don'ts

What must I do to grow my career in Information Technology (IT)? Many are always asking questions on how to approach career development and prospects in the IT field? An IT career can be full of challenges and excitement. 

But there is no magic key. It all depends on the effectiveness of your career growth methods. Quality of effort is often the difference between frustration and achievement. 

Here are top "dos and don'ts" tips that should ensure your effort is high quality, while keeping you on the right track. Note that none of these guidelines can stand-alone. To make meaning they all play together.

1. Do Empower yourself
Empowerment is about using knowledge to make things happen - to create opportunity. Knowledge options include: training, certification, books, work experience and the Internet. What's your attitude towards learning? Is knowledge acquisition an investment or a cost to you? 

Career opportunities exist in many fields including: technical support, programming, web development, database and networking.
Understand what empowerment means. It's about learning how to fish, instead of always depending on others. It's about resourcefulness -knowing how to dig deep and knowing where to look for answers. 

Put in quality sweat - learn, practice, and invest in substance and not flashy gimmicks. Be strong in the fundamentals. The great IT pro isn't satisfied with just doing. Excel in what you do. Aim high. Measure yourself with high quality global standards. And keep on learning - Lifelong learning is critical. Anything else is dinosaur land. Strike the right balance between doing and the ability to keep on doing. You have to make that balance so you'll be sure to bring the best value to your career.

2. Don't lose Focus
What is your WHY? Empowerment for what? Are you just following the crowd? Be wise. What is your passion? What do you value? Have a laser-like focus on WHY. "A dream without a plan is a nightmare". 

Planning helps you with (WHY and HOW) focusing and organizing yourself. You know your stuff but are heading in the right direction? Where are you? What is your interest? What is your purpose? Where are you going? How will you get there? Understand the difference between the journey and the destination. How realistic are your expectations? Fulfillment is a function of expectations.

It is your duty to find your mission. As you invest in knowledge and skills, are you developing with purpose? In which area (s) do you want to make an impact? Get your priorities right. Focus on things that matter. Avoid distractions and let the main issue be the main issue.

3. Do develop your Creative skills
Focus on creativity and not consumption. Life, or opportunity, isn't usually a one-way street. Having the right skills and knowledge are great, but creativity needs more than just expertise. IT attracts everyone, but are they all making a difference? To stand out and stay ahead in IT, you need to go beneath the surface.
Observe your environment, seize the initiative and take bold steps. Learn to see beyond the obvious.

Get deep and drop the status quo approach. Creativity is not about the usual routine or copycat stuff. "Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson. What, where is the need? Think outside the box and see how your skills can provide an answer to the need. 

Creativity also means being wise to opportunities available to you. Have an open mind. No two career strategies are the same. No straitjacket formula exists for career success. "Use open doors to unlock closed doors." For example, if the door to your career choice in database management appears closed, why not start by exploring open doors in technical support or networking. Such experience may eventually help you unlock doors to such career paths that may be otherwise inaccessible.

4. Don't neglect Service and Contribution
Technology is about service and contribution. Invest not just for passing exams but to contribute and to be of benefit to others. Drop the "its-all-about-the-pay" mindset and recognize that your IT career isn't just about money or acquiring certificates. Growth comes by solving problems and creating opportunities. How is what you know and can do benefiting others? Value means others must benefit from you.

Money is not your mission. Money simply gives you options for achieving your purpose. Get rid of unrealistic expectations. IT creates wealth, but it isn't a get-rich-quick scheme. "We eat to live, We don't live to eat". Get deep and add value. Your value not just knowledge is your power.

5. Do grow your Network
To serve and contribute effectively in your IT career, build networks by cooperating and collaborating with others. What is your value if you can't learn from or work with other people? The value of networking can't be underestimated. How will you spread your message or understand the needs of others? 

Don't burn bridges you may need tomorrow but instead plant the right seeds. Network - listen to, learn from and understand the local and global environment. Network with colleagues, family, friends, mentors, employers, employees, clients, etc. 

To enhance networking, work on your non-technical and people skills (life skills) like communications, leadership, presentation, teamwork, etc. Effective development of these life skills helps you position and package yourself for opportunity and growth. You need to understand the motivations of other people to work, grow and network effectively with them. 

Strong support networks recognize your value and allow you to listen better, sell your ideas, contribute, collaborate and create opportunity now and in future.

6. Don't joke with Professionalism.
Ethics is another issue that affects value. Can you trusted? We know you're an MCDBA, but is that database safe in your hands? Trust breeds opportunity. Are you considerate? Are you courageous? "Be a thermostat not a thermometer". 

You are the Java expert; you have the Oracle solutions. Big deal! Are you a positive influence? Or are you the "Emperor that can do no wrong?" What message do you send out? In your actions, are you fair, honest, responsible, friendly, supportive, law-abiding, and tolerant? 

7. Don't Feed on the Negative
As you build your IT Career, how will you deal with unfairness, condemnation, lack of appreciation, poor support or the absence of appropriate or timely reward? Wake up from the comfort zone siesta! Can you go the extra mile?

Opportunity isn't always attractive or obvious, but it's always knocking. For example, what would you do if the pay isn't attractive, but it's an opportunity to get your hands dirty in the your area of interest, say in the programming field?

A strong WHY will carry you through challenges. Believe in yourself, Have a high sense of self-worth. Don't get buried, but learn instead from experience and mistakes. "The man who does not make mistakes usually does not make anything." Focusing on fear and worry stops you from moving forward. Don't listen to dream-killers. Run with your can-do and can-bounce-back attitude. 

Results may not be immediate so commitment and perseverance are critical. Believe in yourself and press on. Feed on positive and realistic expectations. According to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody".

8. Do something now
You've got the interest, so what're you waiting for? Are you waiting to be encouraged? Don't make that mistake. Waiting for ideal or perfect?. It's your life. It's your future. 1,000 excuses doesn't equal to an IT career. According to Alice Bloch, "We don't waste time, we only waste ourselves".

Empowerment, being creative, being positive and having a focus are all great. But unless you act, all you achieve is a big fat zero. Sitting in a farm all day doesn't make you a farmer. Do something now! If you don't shoot, you can't score! "The big shot is the small shot that doesn't stop shooting."

What are you doing? Don't wait until matters become critical or urgent. Being proactive is essential for career growth. No matter how big or small, start investing in your IT career today. You have what it takes to make a difference now! 

The power to shape your career is in your hands! I wish you all the best in your IT Career, 

Jide Awe

Jide Awe is the Founder of Jidaw.com  

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