What are the best ways to stay current with system management practices and develop professionally?

We are in an ecosystem where technology is growing rapidly, and to ensure that your system is up-to-date, you have to learn and stay updated. There are many ways to do this: participate in webinars, engage with experts. Today, we also have Generative AI, which can help you quickly not only find online communities but also discover solutions or new ways to manage your system through tools, APIs, process governance, and more.

Focus on these tasks: System Security, Asset Inventory, User Management, Backup and Recovery (Business Continuity), Data Analytics, Automation (even the simplest tasks to free up some resources), Capacity Forecasting, Cloud Management, Help Desk, Interoperability, Education (Skills upgrade), Compliance. Also be cognisant of these: The learning curve, added complexity in some systems management, cost (sometimes the initial cost can be astronomical), implementation complexities including change management, and of course the added strain on the IT Team.

In the last 10 years the pace of change and innovation feels orders of magnitude faster, Cloud has been a big part of this. Social Media, feeds, blogs and content creators on YouTube (or other similar platforms) are great at getting you the small bite size insights you need to keep up to date. Only go deeper on topics that are helpful in your current role or are goals in your career development. Also utilise resources within your organisation, companies often have internal training/resources. Don’t assume that because it doesn’t come with a LinkedIn badge it’s not useful to you. Talk to your peers and network, don’t be afraid to ask the simple questions.

In my experience, online communities is one of the best ways to gain different perspectives and real life examples of new technologies.

I agree 100%! Professionals should start by pursuing relevant certifications, as they can validate your expertise and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

Absolutely, continuous technical development is essential in the world of evergreen solutions. The most flexible way to deliver that development is often through online learning, which can be completed at the individuals own pace, additionally they can chose to focus on a specific area of the online course which may be relevant to a particular challenge. I’m also a keen advocate of progressing to certification to validate learning, boost confidence and competence.

Attending conferences is an excellent way to network with peers, connect and gain valuable insights. These often allow access to industry specific use cases and community of practices which are incredibly valuable.

Research, through reading books and articles in online communities is critical to stay current with changing technologies and landscapes.

Although I think feedback and mentorship is crucial to development, it’s not always available from a technology perspective in an organisational setting, this may have to be sought externally if trusted technical partners are available.

In the dynamic field of system management, professional growth isn't just about acquiring knowledge; it's about sharing that knowledge with others. When you share your insights through platforms like blog posts, podcasts, or YouTube channels, you not only solidify your own understanding but also contribute to a thriving community of like-minded individuals. For example Interacting with your audience provides an opportunity for feedback and learning. Comments and discussions can lead to new perspectives and ideas you might not have encountered otherwise. The act of teaching others encourages you to stay current and adapt to new developments. You'll often find yourself researching and learning more to deliver valuable content.