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IT Management Career Path, what to expect?
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Hello! I am about to enroll into Western Governors University's (WGU) accelerated BS+MS IT Management program. I have always been interested in IT ever since high school. Currently an intern for two years in construction project management (why construction? For a different time). I'm looking into going down that IT project management path but want to know what's ahead for IT Management in comparison to IT project management?
What is it like starting out as a fresh grad? Entry level work? Is remote work plentiful/sustainable? Is the upkeep for certifications as often as it is in project management?
Thanks!
Top Comment: Biggest advise someone can give you is don't expect to jump into management right out the gate. If you do great but usually the path is something similar to this: Helpdesk>>SysAdmin>>ITManager This is generic and can change but usually its similar. Entry work is exactly what it is entry level stuff. Remote work is starting to downplay now that covid is dying down, don't underestimate people skills and direct human interaction, these will get you further into management. Certs are a preference, some people put a lot of weight into them other like myself never have. My bosses have usually been outside of IT and would never know what they are anyways.
For Those that moved into IT Management positions, how is it over there?
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Contemplating a pivot to the management side of things. To those that took that step, what do you miss about the tech side? What keeps you on the management side? Would you do it again?
Top Comment: Lots of meetings. Need to know at least a little about everything that is going on, as opposed to just knowing a lot about a few things. I still get to be hands on, but I do miss zoning out and coding all day without having to say a single word to anyone.
How does one become an IT manager
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How does one become an IT manager with system analyst experience. I work with a team but I don't manage anyone.
Top Comment: Be a sysadmin. Wait for the previous manager to leave. Get promoted without proper onboarding. Sink or swim from there.
Thinking of going into IT management- opinions?
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I have a bachelors degree in education and there’s a university that offers a master program in IT management. I meet the requirements to get in, at a 1/2 price reduction (I have family who works there). I am trying to move out of education due to the low salary as a teacher. I don’t have a background in IT but I like to think I’m a fast learner and I do love school. I feel like being a teacher I’m not qualified enough to do this line of work, but maybe that’s just imposter syndrome, I don’t know.
Am I silly for attempting this pathway? Would I even be able to get a decent paying job in IT with this degree with no experience? The school has certifications you graduate with so you have some form of experience under your belt, but I’m guessing not what employers are looking for.
Just trying to get some options from people in the field- would I be making a mistake pursuing this?
Top Comment:
I'll be honest, I don't think anyone will look fondly at your Master's degree in IT management without any prior experience in IT. I could maybe see it if you had experience in IT-adjacent disciplines, like project management or operations management. But being new to both IT AND management? I don't see you getting very far.
If there is something other than salary that intrigues you about IT, I would recommend you pursue certifications on your own. There is a plethora of quality, free material for any beginner and even some intermediate certs. Only after exhausting your free options and getting that first IT job can you really assess of getting another degree is worth it.
How do I become an IT Manager
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As part of my PDP(Personal Development Plan) I have a choice to do either a bunch of certifications, I think around 20 or an IT Degree within 3-5 years. Which would you recommend I go for? If degree, do you perhaps have recommendations on a recognised institution that will allow me to do a distance program as I am based in South Africa? I am currently a systems analyst/sysadmin/Devops engineer at an MSP. I have about 6 years IT experience with no degree but a few Microsoft certs under my belt. I want to transition into a IT manager role which is not going to happen soon but after 3 years highly possible. I enjoy the operational side of IT hence why I want to explore the IT manager route.
Top Comment: The US seems to be obsessed with degrees. In the UK I manage 8 people and I have no idea if they’ve got degrees or not. They’re all fantastic at their jobs though.
New to IT Management: Need your Advice! : r/ITManagers
Main Post: New to IT Management: Need your Advice! : r/ITManagers
I'm Leaving IT Management : r/InformationTechnology
Main Post: I'm Leaving IT Management : r/InformationTechnology
Is IT management a degree that could get you hired?
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Considering possibly switching out of cybersecurity (the network material has been stressing me out for months), one of my considerations was the IT management degree- seems more simple and manageable.
I wonder what it's job prospects are though- I come from a small business background myself so I know plenty about running businesses but I'm curious what job listings or opportunities would ask from a degree like this, anyone know?
Thanks
Top Comment: Finish the degree and put the work in to learn the networking. These are all introductory networking courses and nothing about them is at the advanced level in any way. Switching around is a waste of time as your small business experience is great if you want to run another small business, but in the real world you need the technical skills that your current degree will give you to get more opportunities. Going with IT Management is nice if you already have exerpience doing IT Management and want to move up in IT management in a medium/large business. The harder work is good for your brain, it builds your neural pathways and enables you to solve harder problems faster and more accurately. Going easy mode will give you less opportunities in life and you will wish you would have done more challenging work to open up your opportunity pool. Hard Challenging Work = Good Easy non-challenging work = Not so good.