How IT Professionals Can Position Themselves for Success

When President Obama announced this month that the White House will be hiring more tech workers to enhance the government’s focus on digital services, it further supported the value of the technology sector and potential growth for those in the industry. Overall, Obama is asking for $105 million to fuel his U.S. Digital Service (USDS) initiative – an asking price that should encourage technology workers everywhere that growth is on the horizon.

IT Personnel: Positioning Yourself for Success

With so much new growth expected in and around the nation’s capitol, many tech professionals are left asking how they can better position themselves for success. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, there are a few areas to focus on.

  • Continue learning. In an industry that’s constantly evolving, it’s crucial that you never stop learning. Ongoing education is extremely important and you must pursue it – whether formally or informally. Formally would mean regularly seeking out new educational courses and degrees, while informally simply refers to staying up to date on industry news and developments.

Education

  • Right place at the right time. It’s also important to be in the right place at the right time. While much of this is related to chance, you can strategically position yourself for networking opportunities. For example, many cities have areas that are renowned for being learning and living communities, with thousands of young professionals and nearby resources. Living in a place where likeminded people surround you can help.
  • Take ownership. Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to take ownership of the work you do. Future employers are always looking for employees who have a history of taking charge and leading. Find ways to take leadership roles in the projects you participate in and maximize the time you spend on the job.
  • Integrate technology. As a tech professional, it’s important to integrate technology into your everyday life. From the latest devices to the newest software, you need to be fully immersed in evolving technology, in order to continue progressing. The moment you stop and think you’ve caught up with technology, it will progress even more.
  • Actively pursue. A mistake many tech professionals make is not pursuing new opportunities. While you may like to think companies will seek you out on their own initiatives, that’s rarely the case. If you see an opportunity you want, find a way to get your foot in the door. If you’re doing everything else right, chances are you’ll get a chance to prove your worth.

Growth is coming to the technology sector and professionals everywhere should be positioning themselves for new opportunities. From investing in ongoing education to actively pursuing new positions, you control the future of your career.

Priya

About Author
Priya is a technology blogger. She loves to blog about blogging, business, gadgets, social media, latest tech news and wordpress.

Comments