Careers in Information Technology

Strathmore University 15

th

February 2008

Quick Introduction

Currently:

Head of IT in KLM for the Eastern Africa Region: Kenya Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia • •

IT professional since 1991

Degree in Mathematics and Economics Various IT certifications including (MCSE 2003, ITIL etc) •

Industries:

IT Provider (Comp-rite) Publishing (JKF, Standard Newspapers) Banking (Standard Chartered bank) and Aviation (KLM) •

Areas of experience:

User Training, Graphics, Programming, Complete IT solution deployments, Voice and Data Networks, Project and General Management

Some Current Trends

Telecommunications Wireless (700MGHZ frequency excitement…) Challenge of cable and impact of mobile phones Convergence In telecommunication (voice, data use the same media) IT is in pervasive in the business environment Programmers have there grove back!

SOHO’s and SMEs want customized software ERP’s and CRM’s need maintenance Open source movement,E-commerce, web2,Big market of games Outsource or In-source?

BPO’s BUT some outsourced roles are coming back in Day to day business support still high on IT budgets IT in schools is no longer special IT savvy society, PC’s at home

Key Success Factors

Degree from a reputable institution (e.g. Strathmore! Various vendor Certifications  ) Bsc in IT or Engineering, strong business education background Strong people and problem management skills Heavy user interaction at all levels Continuous user training Customer satisfaction Problem solving methods Commitment to owning and solving problems Multi skilled, multi tasking change oriented individual Savvy with the trends in business and IT environment New technologies New business practices Continuous learning (certifications) What matters most to the business organization?

A PLAN (3yr to 5yr plan) Clarity of one’s life objective = SELF DRIVE Discipline, absolute.

Opportunity Areas

• • • Telecommunications (CCNA,CCNP…) Telecommuting virtual office Globalization BPO’s Software Application Development (Oracle, Java, Web) Voice, Alcatel 4400 with call centre NBO VSAT connectivity Q-management systems Security (CISA,CISM…) Firewalls, Hacking, phishing, identity theft, • IT management (ITIL, COBIT Control Objectives for Information and related Technology We must be more than geeks Project management From IT to CEO?

) Challenge: “Everything is becoming IT!”

Which way after Strathmore?

• Get engaged even if it is voluntary Previous job employment inspires confidence • Have a clear career development plan • Review your plan regularly and score yourself • Update your knowledge (and contacts!) regularly • Do not worry about money, you will have it, just keep doing the right thing… • THOUGHTS BECOME THINGS, THINK POSITIVE AT ALL TIMES

INTERACTIVE

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