The question: How do I make a move into
management?
I have been in IT for 20 years. I started as a mainframe
operator. I have looked after the in-house PABX. Currently I am
doing second and third line support plus covering part of the role
of service desk team leader. I have attended and passed the ITIL
service desk operator and the ITIL service management foundation
certification. I would like to be in management, so what options do
I have?
The solution: Further your level of ITIL
certification
There are several routes you could take. Many companies
recruiting for junior service delivery or service desk managers'
roles would value your ITIL qualifications. However, given your
current experience of managing service desk staff in an ITIL
environment, you may want to consider sitting the higher ITIL
service management qualifications, with the ultimate goal of
service management.
If this does not immediately appeal, you could consider a move
away from support and into IT management. To do this, I would
recommend furthering your ITIL studies and combining them with a
foundation course in Prince2, making you an ideal candidate for a
deputy IT management position.
As a final alternative, you could look at taking a more senior
role as an IT manager for an SME, supervising a small IT team of
three to 10 people. You would remain technically hands-0n, but also
have responsibility for budgets and all that goes with management,
presenting a more practical route to your management role goal.
Solution by Brett Budden, product director at Computer
People
The panel: Computer People, Hudson, No Limits Coaching, The
Training Camp, Wreay Group
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