Training For A Career In Management...
Careers in management can be very multi-faceted, and suit many different types of people. Certain qualifications and training are usually expected from candidates with the ambition to lead. Then you should expect to spend quite a few years in various intermediate positions, building your CV and probably taking further short courses to boost your knowledge.
We'll Concentrate On These Three Areas... Database Administrator, Management Of Human Resources and Information Systems Manager.
Finding out about the various learning and exam criteria for each of these professions can take a good deal of investigation. You'll find a number of different commercial companies and organisations featured on these pages, so use this as a reference document to access these sites. If you want to come back to this information, simply bookmark the page to save time.
Managing Databases & SQL Administration Courses
Database Managers need to have an excellent eye for detail and be supremely accurate in everything they do. They also need to have good people management and communication skills. A DBA (Database Administrator) is accountable for everything that is put onto the organisation's Database Management System.
An individual looking to become a DBA will have to undergo a series or package of training programmes to take them to the Microsoft MCITP DBA, and have experienced quite a few years in industry to be eligible for this role.
If you're new to IT and databases, a good starting course is the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, also known as MCDST. Once you've got this under your belt, you can gain employment experience with operating systems. In addition you'll need to understand how to use SQL, the language used to communicate with a database. For this, a recommended program is the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) SQL Server.
Database systems can be very sophisticated and managing them takes skill. As well as dealing with the running of the system - which includes security issues, analysis and reporting - the role can also involve installing and testing software, and liaising with database developers on design criteria.
As a Database Manager you could expect to receive a substantial remuneration package and gain a very real sense of making a major contribution to the running of an organisation.
H
R Management
A management career in Human Resources would be an excellent choice for someone who enjoys working with and guiding people, whilst at the same time having a professional understanding of employment laws. An HR Manager has overall responsibility for the employment and training of all members of staff, from shop floor to senior management. Plus of course Human Resources has to check that the company's employment regulations and policies are in line with current laws. All staff members must be familiar with the company's workforce practices, and HR must provide everyone with the details. Other areas of duty are staff compensation claims and redundancy issues.
Progressing into HR Management can lead to a highly rewarding and respected position. The personnel manager of several decades ago would advertise staff vacancies and set up interviews. This role has been superseded and extended into the senior position it is now. We should not underestimate the impact anHR manager can have on the attitudes and productivity of the workforce.
You'll find there are several colleges offering training to prepare you for work in the HR environment. Some people get work in an HR team after leaving university, and others start straight from school or college.
Either way, you're advised to find out about membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Commercial colleges will be able to recommend which CIPD qualifications you should train for. They will be able to talk you through the right structure and membership route.
IT Systems Manager
The role of the Information Systems Manager is to manage and implement an organisation's IT functions and systems. The work involves (amongst other things) providing the right support to each department in terms of their hardware and software needs, network support, licences, security, back-up, user training and compatibility through change. IT Systems Managers are part of the most senior management team within a business structure. They will be required to advise the board, and contribute to planning and policy making.
A typical Systems Manager will have a technical background with many years of experience, alongside a good grasp of business and management disciplines. The department headed up by the systems manager will employ network technicians, security specialists, data and systems analysts and developers.
You can become a Systems Manager via many different training and work experience routes. If you talk to training organisations that specialise in IT you should be able to get advice on the different areas that interest you. Certainly if you aspire to reach the position of Systems Manager you will need to have developed very comprehensive expertise in information technology.
Building a senior career path takes time. Complement your employment experience with additional skills training programs, and you will prepare yourself for management.
