You’re considering a career in IT Management. How can you learn about the different paths available to you?

I started out in the medical space and realized quickly that I was not a "hands on" kind of person, I love working with people and I also love technology, so a career in IT and specifically project management was the obvious choice. I started out with a learnership and excelled.. the rest is history! I learn alot from team feedback and am able to focus on areas that require upliftment.

Há alguns anos, passei exatamente por esse dilema e a maneira que encontrei foi buscando aqueles profissionais que acreditava serem referência no assunto, tanto no trabalho quanto na vida acadêmica. Gosto de pessoas e gosto de Administra??o (mesmo sendo de TI) e o chamado para seguir esse caminho veio de dentro. Infelizmente, muitas pessoas e empresas acreditam que Administra??o, Psicologia, enfim, áreas humanas, s?o puro bom-senso, ignorando que s?o áreas de conhecimento com vasto arcabou?o teórico as embasando. Aí vemos as distor??es, na figura de péssimos gestores, o que é problemático. Já atuei em ambientes, onde o problema era o gestor e a organiza??o ficava andando em círculos tentando descobrir o que estava atrapalhando.

Before entering IT management, conduct a self-assessment to identify your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. Determine the IT projects you enjoy, the technical skills you have or want to acquire, and enhance soft skills like communication, teamwork and decision-making. Evaluate how you handle stress, change, and ambiguity. This self-awareness helps you focus your development efforts, guides you in areas that need improvement or further learning, and aligns your career path with your skills and aspirations.

Embarking on a career in IT Management begins with a self-assessment to understand your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals. Consider the type of IT projects that resonate with you and the technical skills you possess or aim to develop. Evaluate soft skills like communication, teamwork, and decision-making that may need improvement. Reflect on how you handle stress, change, or ambiguity. This self-awareness enables you to narrow your focus and identify areas for growth, laying the foundation for informed decisions about the specific paths within IT Management that align with your skills and aspirations.

IT management encompasses a variety of roles, each with unique duties, depending on the size, industry, and culture of an organization. Key positions include IT director, project manager, service manager, safety manager, quality manager and operations manager. These roles vary in tasks, expectations and challenges. Research is important to better understand these positions. Use online resources such as job boards, career websites, and industry blogs. This insight will help clarify the responsibilities and requirements for different IT management roles, helping to identify those that align with your skills and career aspirations

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the diverse roles and responsibilities within IT management, conduct thorough research on positions such as IT director, IT project manager, IT service manager, IT security manager, IT quality manager, and IT operations manager. Recognize that the specifics of these roles vary based on factors like organizational size, industry, and culture. Utilize online resources such as job boards, career websites, and industry blogs to delve into the intricacies of each role. Explore tasks, expectations, and challenges associated with different positions, enabling you to make informed decisions about the specific path within IT management that aligns with your skills and career goals.

Networking with IT professionals is a powerful strategy to learn about various paths in IT management. Forums like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Quora, and joining professional associations like the Information Systems Association, the Information Systems Audit Control Association, or the Project Management Institute offer invaluable opportunities through networking to gain insight, advice, and feedback on your career aspirations. Engaging with professionals allows you to inquire about their career paths, challenges faced and opportunities they face, providing a rich learning experience from their personal journeys

Looking for guidance is a beneficial way to explore different avenues in information technology management. A mentor, whether it’s a senior colleague, former boss, professor, or coach, provides support, encouragement and guidance in your career development. They help identify strengths and weaknesses, set achievable goals, and look for opportunities for growth. Mentors can expand your professional network, recommend resources, and provide performance feedback, playing an important role in your journey through the IT management landscape.

Consider further education and certifications to advance in IT management. Enroll in IT strategy, governance, project management, and other programs. Obtain certifications such as CGEIT, PMP, ITIL Expert, CISSP, or CSQE to demonstrate your expertise. These steps enhance your knowledge, skills and credibility, providing you with a competitive edge in your career.