Career Development for IT Professionals Strategies You Can Use Cynthia Golden Vice President, EDUCAUSE EDUCAUSE Southeast Regional Conference June 11, 2007

12 Career Development Strategies Strategy: a plan, method, or series of maneuvers or stratagems for obtaining a specific goal or result Apply to anyone Apply throughout your career

1. Understand your environment Aging workforce  Baby boomers beginning to retire Good job outlook for IT Opportunities will abound, especially leadership roles

Higher Education is a Calling Work Environment is Appealing Leadership Continuity May Become an Issue Mentoring Makes a Difference 2004 Research Study IT Leadership in Higher Education A Few Key Findings

Outlook? Opportunities Preparation

Career Framework Early Career  Build Skills, Social Strengths  Understand the Academy Mid-Career  Hone skills  Management Late Career  Stay Current  Identify Successor  Mentoring

2.Understand yourself (personal assessment) “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where you stand but the direction in which you are moving.” -Goethe

3. PD = Lifelong Learning

Time and Money No excuses!

PD on a Budget Local trade shows and Conferences Campus Events In-house classes Network with Colleagues Multipurpose Staff Meetings Doing Lunch

More… Job Swaps Community Involvement The Web The Unexpected Personal Exploration

4. Complete your degree Credibility Critical Thinking Completion

5. Understand your boss

6.Understand your institution’s culture Powerful Decision making and governance Traditions and values

7.Understand the importance of mentoring

Types of Mentoring Relationships One on one Group Different roles over time Formal and Informal Career and personal

Mentoring Programs University of Kansas Georgia Tech IT Professionals Leaders Program MIT Leader to Leader

8. Know how to communicate effectively

9.Empower other people “Great discoveries and achievements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds.” -Anonymous

10. Find work/life balance What do you value? How do you spend your time? Manage priorities Manage time Make Choices

Strategies to Promote Balance Take Time Off Take a lunch break Exercise Volunteer Learn something new Laugh Ask for Help Be a role model Cultivate the next generation Promote camaraderie Use HR

11. Be aware that you may need to move on

12. Make Career Planning a Habit Once a year, but be flexible Am I learning? Am I contributing? Am I having fun? Your resume

Career Reflections Chapter 4 Listen to personal reflections from some of today’s leaders Marilyn McMillanIlee RhimesCarole Barone Mely TynanRon BleedLucinda Lea Willie PritchardGordon WishonJim Bottum

Thank You! With thanks to Ron Bleed, Maricopa Community College District, For content, counsel, and the penguins!