Career Skills for IT Workers: Staff Development on a Shoestring

IT professional development is critical, given the ever-changing, fast-paced nature of technology and business needs. The integration of IT into every aspect of university life also means that soft skills for IT staff are critical; IT must understand business needs and communicate effectively with nontechnical staff to create impactful relationships with business units. Yet with tight budgets, staff development funds are often the first item cut. How can organizations develop meaningful opportunities for staff to develop their soft skills alongside their technical ones, on a shoestring? This session will explore creating new opportunities for IT staff inside their organizations (and/or with peer institutions) through building a culture of collaborative knowledge sharing. Through group exercises, personal sharing, and brainstorming, participants will have the opportunity to take away innovative staff development and engagement strategies to build the IT workforce of tomorrow.

OUTCOMES: Identify what soft skills are needed for effective IT careers * Explore creative ways to increase staff collaboration/engagement * Discover the power of knowledge sharing