The question: Should I take business or IT
qualifications?
I am a network manager but get involved in everything to do with
IT in the business. I would like to move into project management,
IT management or perhaps consultancy. I have a Prince2 foundation
qualification, but all project roles require years of
experience.
Should I obtain a formal qualification in business studies or
IT, or do a professional qualification such as ITIL or MCSE?
The solution: Opt for ITIL or Prince2 to win managerial
role
Before undertaking any time and cost-intensive training, it is
important to be clear about what it will give you and its relevancy
to where you want to go.
Although project management, IT management and consultancy all
have similarities, they all require differing skills and
qualifications.
If project management truly is the route for you, a short-term
salary cut to secure a trainee or assistant position could open up
opportunities, and your previous knowledge would let you work your
way up quickly.
Given your desire for a managerial role, an ITIL foundation
course would make you attractive to larger in-house departments,
overcoming the current practice issues you have highlighted.
Upgrading your Prince2 qualification to practitioner level will
show that you are able to actively run and manage projects in that
environment and set you apart from other managerial candidates.
The fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to gain
certification would be to undertake a one-week "boot camp".
Solution by Nick Dettmar, product director at Computer
People
The panel: Computer People, Hudson, No Limits Coaching, The
Training Camp, Wreay Group
Need advice on your IT career? E-mail your questions to:
computer.weekly@rbi.co.uk
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