It’s that time of year – everyone is getting back in the office from the holidays, making plans for the new year, and setting resolutions for growth. For many, personal development is high on their priority list for 2019. Specifically within the IT function, the key to growth is continuing your technical education. As companies become more and more dependent on technology, a deep understanding and mastery will ensure that you become indispensable within your company and will set you up for success in the long run.

If one of your goals is to further your technical education and become a key leader within your IT department, here are three ways to get started:

Consume Content

The first step towards becoming an indispensable IT expert in your company is the actual technical expertise. There’s no shortcut to knowledge. That means that you’re going to have to put in the work and consume content related to the areas you’re looking to grow. The good news is that there are infinite sources available to you.

First, start with a list of topics and goals related to your technical background.  Determine what areas are you most interested in, then research the top-rated books that cover those topics.

No time to read? Try online tutorials. They’re easily accessible, timely, and mainly free.

You might also subscribe to technical publications to keep up with trends and newsworthy updates in your industry.

Finally, research local or online classes where you can hone your newfound expertise in a workshop format.

Think Critically

Now that you’re focused on continuing your technical education, it’s time to put that newfound knowledge to use. Be intentional about going above and beyond at your workplace. Think critically about challenges that your team is facing and offer solutions to your leadership team.

This is truly the key to becoming indispensable. There is a huge difference between identifying problems and challenges within your technical environment and proposing solutions. Anyone can point out problems, IT experts solve those problems.

Start proposing improvements, handling problems that are outside your typical job description, and consulting with leadership to help turn your technical environment into a competitive advantage.

Partner With Experts

When all else fails, partner with the experts. Find team members or third party consultants to help implement the solutions you suggested.

A true test of an IT expert is knowing their limitations and when to outsource to others. Keep your company’s growth and goals in mind when determining how to best implement the solutions you’ve proposed. Hiring a third party technical expert to supplement your expertise will ensure your project’s success and cement you as a key leader within your IT team.

At Softsys Hosting, we often partner with internal IT leadership to supplement their teams and offer application-specific technical expertise. Contact us to learn how we can partner with your company today!