Career Development for ITSS: Career Development for ITSS Tony Brett Head of IT Support Staff Services Oxford University Computing Services tony.brett@oucs.ox.ac.uk


Agenda: Agenda I’m not Jane! What do you want out of your career? Looking out for yourself Networking – not wireless or ethernet! Training Barriers to efficiency – workplace health Work/life balance Professional bodies Your plan Qandamp;A


What do you want out of your career?: What do you want out of your career? Are you doing your job: Because you enjoy it? Because you need the money? Because you kind of slipped into it? Your work makes up about one third of your life! Important to get it right Affects your health Affects your home life, relationships etc.


The best person to look out for you…: The best person to look out for you… Is you! Show loyalty to the organisation but beware of assuming it will show loyalty to you Constantly work to show your value Join a trade union Be assertive – i.e. firm but fair Don’t be a martyr Take your breaks, especially lunch! Manage your employer’s expectations


Things you can change: Things you can change Staff numbers Your pay Your reputation Flexibility Hours Variety Specialisations Stress levels


Network Network Network: Network Network Network Go to conferences – well done, you’re here! Get to know peers and decision-makers Go to work-organised events, even just to show your face. People will remember it. Shamelessly show what you are worth Have business cards handy and wear a name badge when approriate If you deserve the credit for a project then don’t be afraid to accept it! Consider a shift on the OUCS helpdesk Evening slots are available


Places to Network: Places to Network Commercial events Product launches Technology briefings Roadshows ITSS events – including social! Exhibitions andamp; Trade shows How many do you go to? ITSS-discuss JISCmail lists Get involved in University-wide IT issues and groups ICT Strategy ITSSG Colleges IT Officers’ Forum


Simple Networking Exercise: Simple Networking Exercise Tell the person on your right what your job is, and also something not job related about you. They tell you the same Then turn to the left and repeat what you learned about the first person and then give information about you. Swap roles and do the same. Easy isn’t it! You learn much more by talking to people you don’t know!


Training: Training Develops your value and effectiveness Also your employability Ask for what you want Back requests up with research and justification Maybe offer to pay cost back if you leave within an agreed period Keep cost in perspective with what you cost your employer in salary! ITS3 will help you make the case to your unit


Time Management: Time Management Learn to manage your time effectively University has courses available on this There are books available Work out if you work better late or early and plans difficult tasks around that Take a few minutes at the start of each day to think about how you will spend your time Maybe write some notes Remember the story of the man with the blunt axe and the tree to fell. Sharpen your axe first!


The Oxford Learning Institute: The Oxford Learning Institute Formerly Continuing Eduation Lots of training available, with other University Staff Seminars for support staff and first line managers Introductory Certificate in First Line Management www.learning.ox.ac.uk


Barriers to efficiency: Barriers to efficiency Office colleagues? Long lunches/late starts/early finishes Browsing the ‘net All these can be accepted or changed as you wish Talk to colleagues if they are preventing you from working properly Ask your line manager for help


Efficient but overworked?: Efficient but overworked? You don’t have to take responsibility for everything! Guilt is a personal choice Line manager has a duty to recognise and eliminate overwork Don’t be afraid to point it out though Note hours, tasks etc. etc. Negotiate with your line manager 'I could do that but if I did, what would you like me to stop doing to make time for it?'


Health at Work: Health at Work Vital to look after yourself You have a right to work free from bullying or harrassment Being bullied is NOT your fault! Talk to your department or college’s harrassment advisor if you need to Excellent BBC web site at: http://tinyurl.com/jwm9v


Work/Life Balance: Work/Life Balance The old phrase: work to live, don’t live to work! There is much more to life than just work Work should not overshadow the rest of your life Parents have had the right to request flexible work since 6 April 2003


Professional Bodies: Professional Bodies British Computer Society (BCS) Various levels of membership Not cheap! Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Based in New York Institute of IT Training (IITT) Focus on IT Trainers Can add credibilty to you as a professional Useful sources of books, courses, career advice, local groups, events, awards and certification


So what will you do?: So what will you do? Don’t try to change too much too fast Think about changes needed in Colleagues Management You! Plan how to achieve the changes Make a timescale and have regular reviews to see how you are doing It needn’t feel like climbing a mountain!


Finally: Finally Remember that very few are completely happy with their career But most are happy most of the time Focus your energy on things you can change Don’t waste energy worrying about things you can’t change


Questions & Answers: Questions andamp; Answers Thank you! Thanks to Jane Littlehales for allowing me to use her slides from a previous conference for ideas