We asked the 2014 Cisco Champions what advice they would give to someone starting in the IT industry. Cisco Champions are seasoned IT technical experts and influencers who enjoy sharing their knowledge, expertise, and thoughts across the social web and with Cisco. The Cisco Champions program encompasses different areas of interest, such as Data Center, Internet of Things, Enterprise Networks, Collaboration and Security. Cisco Champions are located all over the world.
(Cisco Champions are not representatives of Cisco. Their views are their own)
Here are their top 5 tips.
1. Be a Specialist AND a Generalist
Specialize in your field, but keep general knowledge of related fields. So if you’re a networking expert, make sure to know servers, virtualization, storage and voice among others. You’ll thank yourself when you can troubleshoot problems that aren’t necessarily the network.
Benjamin Story
Network Engineer
@ntwrk80
2. Develop Relationships, Make a Plan
-Pay attention and give some effort to developing professional relationships with others in IT, particularly those in closely-related fields that aren’t your chosen area of expertise.
– Make a plan for what you want to learn and visit that plan regularly. Don’t learn only what your job requires, but think about longer term goals.
Wendell Odom
Cisco Press Author
@wendellodom
3. Follow Your Passion, No Shortcuts.
– Find a field that interests you and follow your passion, not just the dollars. If you’re not really passionate about your chosen field in IT you are going to get burned out fast.
– Remember there are no shortcuts when studying for certifications. Steer clear of the easy path of brain dumps and the like.
William Burnam
Lead Network Engineer
@stilgar
4. Never Stop Learning and Help Others.
– If it interests you, continue your education. Share what you learn with others. Stay passionate.
Stephen Rodriguez
Solutions Architect
@wifijanitor
– Learn routing & switching as the foundation for other areas like Wireless, Voice, and Data Center. Invest in your learning by purchasing used networking gear to practice on. Network with other IT professionals and get involved in online forums to help others who are also learning.
Lasantha Perera
Network Engineer
@lperera3
5. Listen and Research
– Listen to others. Many people are willing to talk about technical topics, obstacles/problems they have overcome and how they have dealt with them. Working and connecting with others gets you more exposure and ‘networks’ you with other professionals. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation and the finding of common ground.
– Try not to shy away from a problem. Just because you might not know what it is immediately, that does not mean you can’t figure it out with a bit of effort. When you run into something you don’t know hit Google, Support Forums, Lab, Books. Knowing how to use and find resources is as useful as knowing the topic off-hand.
Stephen Occhiogrosso
Senior Network Engineer
@StephenO86
P.S. from Cisco: Another excellent resource for IT Professionals is the Cisco Learning Network, where you can find technical information and professional networking opportunities to help advance your certification goals.
Do you have advice for an aspiring IT expert? Share your thoughts by commenting below.
I agree that all of the mentioned 5 advices are very important.
Cisco Academy Instructor Trainer
1. Use linkedin.com to network with your peers. It’s a powerful tool. You need contacts, advice, and a peer group devoted to hiring the best and brightest – you’ll need advertising for your brand (YOU) and for that I highly recommend linkedin.com
2. Use a variety of sources when solving a problem, try to consider more than the most obvious approach. Hey if someone wants you to help solve a problem it is mostly likely cause it is still broke. Be the GO-TO and work to keep it that way.
3. Keep your resume up to date. It’s great to be loyal and career minded, but its far better to be employed. Business is just that: Business. Don’t forget it!
4. Learn to become a life-long learner. I keep a healthy library and lab but I use the Internet even more – I don’t let a day go by wasted and I’d expect the same from you. My iPhone account does over 100GB of downloads a month and that’s only about 1/2 way through the month – and I have to pace myself – sometimes I can burn through that in a few days… I’d suggest you find something out there that interests you similarly. No I don’t download movies, games, or music. I’m all business, all the time.
5. Avoid people who tend to say: I can’t or You can’t… I keep it to “You can’t tell me what I can’t do just because you probably can’t in the first place and there’s a reason why I can’t tell you”… Seriously… Negativity can destroy quickly. Don’t feed it. Keep it positive and don whatever comes natural.
Darby Weaver
http://www.darbyslogs.blogspot.com
http://www.darbyweaver.com
Later!
These are all great tips. Thanks for the sound advice and hope you all have a great holiday season.
Nice one Rachael Bakker. These 5 tips are very important for IT Professional. Expecially nos 5 (Listern and research) this enhance learning new things.