Warning: The following ideas will likely get me into trouble. These thoughts are my own and do not represent any official stance of UEN or any other establishment that has provided me employment.

Additionally, I don't have any certain individual(s) or organization in mind and these remarks are not directed at any of my colleagues at UEN, IHC, American Direct Credit or Capital One. The observations are in the broadest sense, general.

WIth that said........

I've had the opportunity to know and work with many IT professionals over the past 20 years. For the most part these are exceptionally bright, competent and independent people. More often than not, their road to IT began in the pre-teen years. For the majority, working with computers is their first love and the only thing they have ever wanted to do.

It is very easy to understand why they identify themselves as IT resources. I can relate. Another interesting trait of many IT types is that we realize that all kinds of businesses need our skills and that we can go most anywhere to ply our trade. Cool if times are good and jobs are plentiful. It gives us many options.

Put this all together and, unfortunately, it can be viewed negatively. Especially if we are perceived as spoiled employees who move for money, or stock options, or cool technology or any number of other seemingly selfish reasons. Then we can be viewed as IT Mercenaries, selling our skills on the open market to the highest bidder. It can cause problems and build walls between the IT department and the rest of the departments/individuals in the organization.

So how do we avoid being labeled as mercenaries? I have my own ideas. I think that instead of viewing ourselves as IT only, we have to become part of the business. While at IHC I was often asked what I did for a living. "I'm in health care," was my standard reply. "Oh, are you a doctor?" was the usual follow-up question. "No, I deal with networks."

Working for ADC and Capital One I identified myself as being in the Finance business.

Now, I'm in Education. I say this without any disrespect to many teachers, professors and administrators throughout the state. Certainly they have skills I don't possess. But I do respect what UEN does and why we exist. We serve education. Period.

For this reason I have read articles and books about education. I have the desire to understand more about what it takes to be a teacher. Additionally, I spend a lot of time talking to educators. I've had to learn about my new chosen profession. Listening is key.

Sure, it's tempting to fall back to my IT roots. And sure, it's easy to be branded as an IT brat. It takes work to break out of these stereotypes. I think it's worth the effort. And, hopefully, my desire to understand and associate myself with education will earn some credibility in my new community.........
9:15:38 PM    comment []