Use Transferable Skills For a Career In IT

0:00 Transitioning into technology can be daunting. 0:02 However, it’s essential to recognize that your diverse experiences and 0:06 transferable skills can provide a solid foundation for success. 0:10 I’m Dr. Charity Jennings, and this is *The Framework*. 0:16 I began my journey into IT as a kid, 0:18 when my uncle taught me how to write basic programs in the BASIC language. 0:23 Eventually, I was even creating databases for local businesses as a teenager. 0:28 Later, when I was a K–2 teacher, I expanded on my technology skills and 0:32 integrated instructional technology into my teaching to better serve my students. 0:37 All of these skills eventually led to an opportunity to move into academic 0:42 management, where I helped develop IT programs. 0:46 I think five transferable skills are especially valuable in IT. 0:50 The first is **project management**. IT work is almost always done in the 0:55 context of projects—whether developing, implementing, or improving IT systems. 1:00 Second is **stakeholder management**—the ability to identify your stakeholder groups, 1:07 understand how they communicate, and determine how best to meet their needs. 1:10 A third key skill is **problem solving**. 1:15 IT work almost always revolves around using technology to solve 1:19 a problem for the customer or for internal teams. 1:23 Fourth is communication If you apply strong listening and communication skills, 1:30 you’ll be far more successful in IT. 1:32 This helps ensure that your IT efforts align with other departments across the organization. 1:37 You may even need to translate technical concepts into language 1:41 that others in the business can understand. 1:43 Finally, a critical transferable skill is teamwork 1:48 and collaboration. It’s rare for IT professionals to work in isolation. 1:54 Most IT projects span multiple departments and serve multiple 1:58 customer groups within an organization. 2:00 So, first: identify what your transferable skills are. That sets the foundation for 2:06 highlighting those strengths in your application, cover letter, or interview. 2:10 Second: try to find real-world IT examples where those transferable skills apply. 2:17 That way, you can clearly articulate how your background supports the role you’re pursuing. 2:24 There are also some technical skills to focus on when transitioning into IT. Start 2:32 with building a basic proficiency in technical language—vocabulary, acronyms, and terms. 2:36 This helps you “talk the talk” as you prepare to step into an IT role. 2:43 My recommendation? **Don’t worry too much about the gaps**. Instead, focus on the skills, 2:48 knowledge, and experience you already bring to the table. 2:52 Thanks for joining me. I’m Dr. Charity Jennings, 2:54 and this has been *The Framework*, presented by the University of Phoenix. 2:58 If you found this video helpful, give us a like and subscribe for 3:02 more content covering everything from education and careers to IT and business. 3:07 See you next time!