6 Keys To Success- In A Career in IT

Information Technology (IT), is today an inseparable part of our lives. Using technology is one thing, but making a career in IT is an altogether different cup of tea and can be incredibly satisfying and challenging at the same time! Having spent well over two decades in an industry that changes by the minute, here are a few pointers that you need to keep in mind, to succeed and grow in the IT industry.

1. Embrace Change

The world of IT services is a lot about projects across different parts of the world. Expecting a predictable life, would be a cardinal sin. Your world, is constantly changing. You never know what you will be doing next or where you will be going, next.

My work took me to over 20 countries, some of them, several times. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up travelling to another 10 countries on my own. You need to enjoy travelling to other countries, engaging with people of different cultures and adding value to their lives as much as they add, to yours.

The flip side is that if you don't manage it well, you could spend quite some time away from your family and/or end up frustrated.

2. Hone Your Communication Skills

IT is a domain, where there is no room for ambiguity. And, in the world of IT, communication is the key, You need to understand what the client wants and be able to communicate how you will deliver it to them. The technology part, comes much later.

In this context, the typical Indian accent is very varied and can be quite confusing to people from other countries. We speak English the way we do in our country. But, we forget that this is not the way it is spoken in other countries. Many of us tend to speak fast. Some, do not pronounce words properly. Others, use phrases that are unknown in many countries. All this, only adds to confusion and diffuses communication.

In this industry, you've got to align your communication to global requirements and not local! And, the sooner you do it, the better It is!

3. Inculcate Culture Sensitivity

Culture in the western world, from where a majority of IT business comes, is dramatically different from the Indian culture. To work successfully in other countries/with foreign clients, you need to appreciate other cultures and make an effort to adapt to it.

For many young IT professionals who go abroad, it is their first trip out of India and they haven't really prepared themselves on what to expect there. That's not something major as long as you are willing to make an effort and adapt.

However, quite often, there is a tendency to stay within the comfort of your own culture, spending time with people from your own country and making very little effort to integrate. This can be detrimental to establishing a rapport with clients and building that trusted relationship. More importantly, it could be a hindrance to your own growth.

Besides, you miss out on what could have been, a very enriching experience.

4. Know Your Clients Better

When I was working in the US, I took an active interest in baseball. I did this not because I found the sport fascinating, but simply because my clients enjoyed discussing baseball with me whenever we met.

So, I made an effort to understand the game, went to see it and soon, I started enjoying the game and going out with my client to see it live.

Consequently, the kind of rapport I enjoyed with my client, was very gratifying. The work we did was superlative. But, I don't think if we had done the same work and stayed aloof, the outcome would have been what it was!

If you are not prepared to share what interests your clients and colleagues, you could end up pretty lonely and one dimensional.

5. Engage In Continuous Learning

Quite often people who take up IT jobs right after their engineering degree, believe that their studies are over and it is now time to focus on work. They couldn't be farther from the truth. IT is a domain where what is contemporary today, could be history tomorrow.

The pace at which technology changes, is incredible and you need to commit to staying abreast of changes, in your field of work. And, this is not once in a while, it is all the while!

6. People, Not Technology- Is The Key

This may sound strange but in the world of technology the person who rises in the corporate hierarchy fastest, is not the person who knows all about technology. Instead, it is the person who can manage people the best!

The person who can establish deep relationships with clients, build cohesive teams, win business and get people together in a common pursuit, is the most valuable person in this game.

So, if you want to rise to the top, you need to build your people skills very early in the game!

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If you are a part of the IT industry or have come in touch with people from this industry, have you experienced any of this? If not, what was your experience? Do share your thoughts and experiences.

Image courtesy- Getty Images

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