Employers Want IT Management Staff with Business Skills

by Jane Smallman
jane.smallman@careerschoolguide.com
Career School Guide Columnist

Skilled IT workers are in demand, but none more so than those who can combine technical ability with management and business expertise. If you are a “techie” looking to move into management, earning an MBA would give you the business insight employers are looking for.

More IT Management Jobs Forecast

An overall improvement in the state of the U.S. economy has had the knock-on effect of revitalizing the information technology industry. As businesses invest and expand, new jobs for IT workers are being created all the time, particularly at management level. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, managers now make up more than 11% of the workforce, employment is expected to grow by a further 26% over the next seven years.

Good news for anyone who fancies the idea of moving into IT management - but beware, the skills you need include more than technical experience alone.

What Makes Management Material?

Recent research suggests employers are looking for a broad range of skills from their management staff. As IT infiltrates every aspect of business, employers want managers who can act as the links between those carrying out the IT function and those shaping business strategy: getting IT to respond better to business needs opens the door to improved performance all round, and a healthier bottom line.

To achieve this employers are specifically looking for management personnel with qualities such as

• excellent business capabilities, in areas such as project management, analysis, and budgeting
• strong interpersonal skills, in negotiations, oral and written communications, leadership
• hardcore technical know-how, of a particular software or technology

Boost Your Business Expertise

If you would like to go after one of the new IT management jobs but haven’t got the requisite business skills, why not think about earning an MBA? As well as giving you a firm grasp of business fundamentals, many programs also offer the option of specializing in IT management. With some of these even available online, you can earn your MBA in a year without even having to give up your current job!

Sources

Certification Magazine
Dice.com
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Westwood College Online

About the Author

Jane Smallman combines free-lance writing with running a mountain guiding business with her husband. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in the Social Sciences.