As the name itself implies Personal Development Plan is a structured and supported process undertaken by an individual to reflect upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to plan for their personal, educational and career development and to encourage critically reflective practice.
SUMMARY OF CAREER ASPIRATIONS/GOALS
My career plan is to become an Information Technology (IT) Consultant operating across nations. I like to work in firms of management consultants, software and systems houses within large manufacturers of computing equipment, or occasionally internally in major industrial companies.
The above said areas are some of the places IT Consultants work. For I desire to work in partnership with clients, advising them how to use information technology in order to meet their business objectives or overcome problems. Consultants work to improve the structure and efficiency of organization’s IT systems. Common job tasks IT Consultants do which I see as part of my career aspirations and goals include:
Analyze IT requirements within companies and give independent and objective advice on the use of IT.
Provide specialist support and back-up to professionals within client companies.
Advise on strategic planning and operational efficiency.
May run facilities for clients.
Design, develop and test new systems.
Train staff in new systems.
Part of my career goals/aspirations is to gain growth in resources, that is upgrading my knowledge and resources to grow as a professional, better salary, job satisfaction, experience such as learning about the cultures of different countries, meeting new people and basically becoming familiarized with customs and traditions worldwide. This will enable me to increase my tolerance level and change perspectives and job stability.
Accomplishing this goal is a long journey since I am still an undergraduate student but every long journey begins with a step. It is a challenging and technical aspiration though I have a passion for it because it is my dream and there after I want to have my own software incorporation with a group of professionals where I will be overseeing as a CEO of my to be company named Eyi’s Software Inc.
ANALYSIS OF SKILLS
Success as a consultant requires the following skill sets:
Technical skills such as programming languages
Analytical skills such as problem solving expertise
Networking skills
Database knowledge
Interpersonal skills
Communications skills
Business management skills and
Some professional certifications
Some other skill sets required are not limited to:
Leadership ability
Teamwork skills
Ability to learn quickly
Confidence when making decisions
Excellent customer service skills
Good organizational skills to manage heavy work load
Ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical clients and colleagues
Flexibility and adaptability
Time management skills
Technical Skills
Technical skill set includes good programming knowledge that is having knowledge of programming languages such as C, C++, JAVA, VB.NET etc and programming methodologies.
Analytical Skills
Good knowledge and logical approach to problem solving. Mathematically analyzing the problem and solving it.
Networking Skills
IT Consultant should possess an understanding of network devices, topologies, network protocols and data communication across networks such as LAN, WAN, Intranets, Extranet, MAN, CAN etc.
Database Knowledge
It needs Database knowledge including Data Manipulation Language (DML) statements, Data Definition Language (DDL) statements, Transaction Control (TC) statements and Data Control Language (DCL) statements. It requires knowledge of database systems such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase, Oracle, and database administration.
Interpersonal and Communication Skills
As an IT Consultant, interpersonal and communications skills are required:
Interpersonal skills in order to close sales, and even persuade your client to act on your advice.
Communications skills such as making presentations and writing documents so that you can convey your value and your result to the client, so that the client can see what they have bought.
Business Management Skills
As an IT consultant business management skills are needed so as to keep track of your assets, cash, accounts receivable and bills and a basic level of organization so as to deal with few repetitive tasks (such as getting those bills out every month). Apart from that, you must plan to focus on marketing and it has to systematic and repeatable.
Professional Certifications
To be at the cut edge as an IT Consultant obtain professional certifications from the vendors such as MCSE from Microsoft, CCNA, CCNP from Cisco and OCA, OCP from Oracle University etc.
Skills/Knowledge Gained
These are the skill sets and knowledge I currently have that are required skill sets and knowledge needed for my career aspiration and goals and how and where I acquired them are tabulated follows:
S/NO.
Skill/Knowledge
Area
How
Where
1.
Technical such as programming
Programming languages such as VB.NET, PHP MySQL, C and C++
Through my degree studies, private lesson, and personal studies.
In college and at home
2.
Networking Skills
Network+ and CCNA, though they are professional
Through my state government scholarship
Gates Intense IT Network and Security Trainings, India
3.
Database
MS Access, Oracle SQL*Plus
Through my degree studies.
In college
4.
Interpersonal
Effective communication
Through my IT training session
India
5.
Communication
Effective communication
Through my IT training
India
6.
Professional Certifications
A+, N+, MCSE, CCNA
Hardware engineering course
Gates Intense IT Network and Security Trainings, India
Skill sets/Knowledge Not Gained
The table below indicates the skills/knowledge required for my career aspirations/goals I feel that are needed that I have not yet possessed:
S/NO.
Skill/Knowledge
Area
1.
Technical such as programming
Programming languages such Perl, C#, JAVA
2.
Analytical
Further mathematics and core logical problem solving
3.
Networking
CCNP though it is professional
4.
Database
Microsoft SQL Server
5.
Interpersonal/Communication
Ascent, tradition and cultures
6.
Business Management
Marketing
7.
Professional certifications
CCNP, OCA, OCP and OCM
Explanation of Steps
The following are the necessary steps and time frame I have set or planned to obtain the skill/knowledge I have not acquired:
Educational qualification:
I am still an undergraduate student in the field of software engineering but I strongly believed that maximum by December 2011 I will be through with my first degree and to me only first degree is not enough, I will continue my second degree which is my Master degree in the related field and that will be a maximum of 2 years. The good news is I will not stop at masters and if I have a sponsor I will do my full time doctorate degree and it will take like another 3 years.
The technical programming skills such as C# and JAVA will be acquired through my holiday periods and a set time of a least one year will be enough for each.
I planned to work as a programmer in a software house for at least 2 or 3 years so as to acquire good programming skill and knowledge.
Analytical skills will be obtained based on working on big projects, internships and core programming and a maximum of 4 to 5 years will be required for me to gain it. It is by several practices and doing and this I have to do every possible time that I have.
Networking/Professional certifications such as CCNP by Cisco, OCA, and OCP by Sun Microsystems etc. will be obtained during the process. I will go one after the other to gain them and it will take like 2 years.
I planned to acquire the knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server prior to my first degree graduation which I will be learning it by myself.
Interpersonal/Communication areas such as improving my ascent, studying people traditions and cultures will be obtained through various presentations, documentations and reports, going along with the people, making vital friendships, self discipline, practices and learning within a time set of at least 4 to 5 years and during life process as life itself is a process of learning and no one is an island or paragon of knowledge.
Business Management skills such as marketing and business strategies are needed as an IT consultant. I planned to take part-time studies in business related field so as to gain business knowledge, liaising and negotiating with clients and that will take me at least 3 years.
Conclusion
Having a career as an IT consultant is interesting and technical and one requires a huge set of skills and knowledge. The field of IT industry is diversified and IT consultants carry out such a variety of tasks that one IT consultant career may develop into a number of different industries and sectors. As for me and my career I have to reach my ultimate goals and I have to carry out my set out plans. For I look forward to achieve it and beyond becoming even as a CEO.