Who is an Information Technology (IT) / Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professional?
Knowledge, competence, and character are the foundation of professionalism. True technology professionals must meet the standards in these areas. People build capacity in a variety of ways. Training is quite popular and simple. Training programs aim to close or fill any gaps that a person may have in these areas, knowledge and competence in particular. Simply attending training programs does not however make one a technology professional.
Are you meeting your targets?
To be a competent IT/ICT professional, you must understand the expectations of – your colleagues, industry, clients, and the general public. Meeting these (reasonable) expectations is what allows you to call yourself a professional and earns you recognition as one.
The role of the ICT professional is critical in today’s world. ICT is now an essential resource (operational and strategic). Rapid rate of automation in all spheres relies on use and development of digital technologies. Qualified and competent ICT professionals play a major and indispensable role.
@iamjidaw #Professionalism is about using your privilege to move society forward. #professional #learnontiktok #careeradvice #careertok #edutok #iamjidaw #jidaw ♬ original sound – jidaw
The Multifaceted Nature of Technology
Professionals add value in established technology fields such as programming, engineering, database administration, networking, web development, and e-commerce, as well as with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), Big Data, Blockchain, Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and Robotics.
IT professionals design, build, operate, and maintain digital technologies. The technology professional is expected to have the skills and knowledge needed to perform specialized tasks in any of the mentioned tech fields. This is the absolute minimum.
Experience, Training, and Knowledge
At Jidaw we have contributed to capacity building through formal education sources that include private training institutions, colleges, and tertiary institutions, as well as Internet learning. The emphasis is on the intellectual, i.e. understanding concepts and coming up with ideas in the formal space. Work experience and practical training, on the other hand, can help you apply learning and improve your practical skills.
Training and certification help to improve skills, expand knowledge, and gain recognition. Certification exams identify the skills required for a person to perform their job competently and successfully.
Because certification is recognized and accepted in the tech sector, more prospective and current tech professionals desire certified status. Some years back, Jidaw organized free career seminars that highlighted the importance of certification is a powerful career tool for creating job and business opportunities as well as meeting field challenges. Increased income and professional credibility are powerful certification motivators.
Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) are all sponsors of popular certification programs.
Is a popular certification enough to make you a competent and recognized IT professional? Is certification part of your career development strategy? If so, it must be based on a thorough understanding of what certification entails and how certification fits into your work/career objectives.
However, as previously stated, certification is only one method of ensuring you have the necessary skills and knowledge for IT professionalism. Formal education and work experience also help with the acquisition of technical skills and knowledge.
Ethics
Does having superior IT skills, knowledge, and certification make you a true professional? At Jidaw we have interacted with tech certified individuals who cannot be called professionals. Shockingly, some of them have no regard for integrity and are willing to sacrifice professionalism on the altar of money. For the individual, the issue is the professional attitude toward the public, your work, colleagues, or clients.
In todays fast-paced “anything goes” work environment, do skilled tech workers always choose the ethical route? This can be concerning, especially in societies that glorify smartness, intelligence and wealth over integrity. The pressure is real. Professionalism is not about money at all cost. And how do you treat people (general public, customers and employers/employees), do you respect others, can you be trusted, are you fair in your engagements? There are challenges but that’s the price of professionalism. Are you in technology for quick, short benefits or the long haul? It’s always up to you.
Is the Microsoft-certified employee who defrauds his employers a real tech professional? What about those who use their abilities and knowledge to steal, harass and destroy? Are they also professionals? Hackers and cybercriminals are well known in the territory. If you have all the important certifications in your field and use your knowledge and skills for negativity, don’t ever call yourself a professional. Professionalism isn’t just about qualifications or expertise.
Quite a few “professionals” are rude and unprofessional in their interactions with clients and some also defraud their clients or employers/employees. Is it truly ethical for a professional, to delay tasks deliberately? Is it professional to lie to take a day off for fun? Is it professional to cover up security violations?
Professional associations in technology provide guidelines to foster ethics and professionalism. Society expects the professional to be socially responsible and disciplined, and to serve as role models for young people.
Lifelong Education
Professionals cannot hide from the issue of currency. They must identify ways of staying current on technology and related issues. The changing environment demands continuous self-development. Getting certified and having rich experience is not enough. The technology sector is still the fastest growing in the world. You cannot afford to be out of date or to let your skills deteriorate. Your ideas and information need to be current to serve your clients or employers well. It is difficult to remain relevant with outdated ideas and information.
The digital age provides serious and career-minded technology professionals with a wealth of information and learning opportunities. The Internet facilitates education and self-development. Other resources for staying current include books, publications, training, software, and so on. You must however have the ability and desire to constantly update yourself. We must never cease to learn. It is the demand and reality of our technologically advanced world. A desire to learn is imperative. Yesterday’s knowledge may be inadequate when dealing with today’s opportunities and challenges.
Principles, Values
Technology professionalism does not end with certification, impressive salary and work opportunities. It is not enough to be a skilled expert. Professionalism is about more than just skills and knowledge; it is also about responsibility and duty. It is about using your abilities and knowledge responsibly and humanely. It is about using your privilege to change society for good.
Though professional associations contribute in the area of professionalism, the matter is however beyond the membership of such institutions. You must put what you preach into practice.
Jide Awe