Information Technology Management: Are You Ready to Transition from an IT Tech? | ECPI University

Information Technology Management: Are You Ready to Transition from an IT Tech?

Many IT professionals eventually make the transition from being an IT professional to being an IT manager. It's a natural progression. After years of honing their knowledge of networks, system security and databases, they decide to open the doors of opportunity by becoming managers. Management jobs typically come with more money, responsibility and challenges. Yes, challenges.

Are you ready to move into management?

There is a reason IT managers (also called computer and information systems managers) make more money than the majority of other professionals in the country (according to the United States Department of Labor).

The job requires skills that sometimes don't come naturally to people--the ability to communicate, motivate and calmly handle manage multiple people and projects at the same time.

While having a lot of knowledge and experience is certainly helpful when it comes to moving into management, it is not the only prerequisite. Here is a look at some of the other skills, traits and attributes the greatest IT managers share:

Can you juggle?

Successfully making the move from professional to manager just might depend on how well you juggle. Most managers don't have a long to-do list that they can run down every day. Instead, they have more nebulous duties that include, "motivate your team," "provide coaching where needed," and "manage day-to-day activities of your team."

These tasks could take on any form at any minute. The best managers are flexible and able to quickly move from one task to the next. Because one minute you could be trying to decide whether or not to move to the cloud and the next you could be trying to get two employees to overcome their personal differences and work well together.

Can you communicate?

As a manager, you are going to have to serve as your team's motivator, coach, disciplinarian and visionary.  You are going to have to be able to communicate--and that means more than just telling everyone what to do.

You are going to have to explain the organization's strategy, where each of your employees fits in and how the entire team needs to work together to achieve goals. You'll set expectations, provide advice and offer feedback which may or may not be well-received.

And you have to do it without communicating too much, which is also known as micromanaging and never, ever leads to success. If you can communicate effectively, you'll be better prepared to lead your team to the IT Promised Land.

Can you lead?

"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership."

Nelson Mandela, the late president of South Africa, said this.

What he's talking about is being a great leader. He's talking about letting your employees take all the credit when things are good, and you taking all the blame when things are bad. That's what great managers do.

Great managers are not afraid to be held accountable for the performance of their entire team. They know that it is their job to inspire, teach, train, and hold the people they manage to high standards.

They also know that when the team (or an individual member of the team) fails to meet its goals, the manager takes the blame. Are you prepared to take the blame for your colleagues?

Make the move into management

If you know how to juggle, communicate and demonstrate the traits of a true leader, you just might be ready to make the move into IT management. Of course, experience in the field probably isn't enough to get you there.

You are also going to need a degree to demonstrate to your hiring manager that you have the skills necessary to make the move. Luckily, ECPI University's Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in IT management blends both coursework in business administration and information technology management.

Do you think you’re ready to move from IT professional into IT management? If this career move sounds right for you, contact an admissions advisor at ECPI University today to learn more about earning your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in IT Management.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

Learn more about ECPI's College of Business TODAY!

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