Some advice to aspiring IT professionals
I was recently interviewed by a young college student studying MIS. One of the questions he asked me was:
What advice do you have for someone entering the field?
I responded with probably more advice than he wished. I wish more people followed this advice, and I hope I follow it as often as I think I do.
Herewith:
BTW, what is the difference between MIS and IT? I there really any difference anymore? I think so, but I don't think the answer is clear. I asked the student, and am eager to read the response.
What advice do you have for someone entering the field?
I responded with probably more advice than he wished. I wish more people followed this advice, and I hope I follow it as often as I think I do.
Herewith:
- Always be open to new experiences.
- Be open-minded.
- Stay up with current industry trends, but develop wisdom to know when to not follow those trends.
- Wisdom comes from experience.
- Learn from your mistakes.
- Learn how to get along with people of all kinds.
- Realize that when you work in IT, you are a service provider; those you serve are your customers; your purpose is to meet their needs and make them happy, in that order.
- Pay attention to your customers.
- Realize that your customers don't always know what they need: your first responsibility is to help them determine what they really need, and your second is to meet that need.
- Respect your boss.
- Keep your boss informed, as he is responsible for your work.
- Loyalty to your boss and your company is important.
- Respect the law; always keep your work in the law.
- Respect your customers' privacy; don't abuse your elevated privileges.
- Be a trustworthy employee.
- Be punctual.
- Communicate clearly.
- Use good grammar.
- Communicate in a positive rather than a negative manner.
- Think about who you're communicating to; adjust your message to their level.
BTW, what is the difference between MIS and IT? I there really any difference anymore? I think so, but I don't think the answer is clear. I asked the student, and am eager to read the response.