A director of information technology is an integral part of the operations of an organization, handling various tasks from management to ensuring safety and security of various types of systems. As the reliance on computerized systems continues to grow throughout processes, professionals who have the right combination of work experience and education have opportunities to find numerous opportunities for positions across all types of industries.
Undergraduate and Graduate Education
An undergraduate degree in information technology or another computer-related field is helpful for future professionals who are considering pursuing any upper-level positions. In addition to offering various courses in general education that are beneficial for building transferable skills for the workplace, a bachelor’s degree in or related to information technology enables students to complete courses such as information assurance security, information technology management, network technology, system development, and web applications.
Completing a graduate degree is also likely to be a requirement for qualifying for positions as a director of information technology. In addition to advanced course work in concepts and material directly related to information technology, master’s degree course requirements also often include business administration classes, helping students to gain the additional skills required to handle the management responsibilities of the position.
Skills and Experience
A director of an information technology division or department is responsible for a variety of tasks, including the ability to monitor, evaluate, assess, and recommend programs and systems for implementation. To be successful, a director in this area will need to understand the ways in which a variety of systems work, as well as the hardware and software components that make up the systems. These skills enable an information technology specialist to identify problems, recommend solutions, and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
In addition to handling the numerous tasks associated with system maintenance, an information technology director will also be required to manage administrative tasks. These include many different management roles such as employee supervision, ordering and budgeting, presentation of information, training, and hiring.
To prepare for a career as a director in the field of information technology, experience in other positions from entry-level and up will most often be required. Positions as an information technology specialist, information technology architect, software engineer, or developer are all possibilities for gaining the experience that is likely to be required. Previous work experience that also includes supervision of other employees is also likely to be helpful.
Training and Certifications
Additional training and certification can also help a prospective professional looking for positions as a director of an information technology department. Certifications in information technology, related fields, and business administration or management are particularly useful. The Certified Technology Manager designation, for example, can help a candidate to illustrate skill and knowledge in managing technology. More information on this certification can be found at the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.
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More and more processes and information are being stored, created, and delivered using information technology and computer systems, and the need for qualified management of those systems and the information technology specialists behind those systems is also growing. As a director of information technology, professionals have opportunities for working in an in-demand and rewarding career position.