10 years from now...

Think about yourself worthy to be called as IT professional, how do you see yourself 10 years from now, what are your strategies to get there? (at least 3000 words)



I see myself ten years from now as a fully capable network administrator. I mentioned the phrase “fully capable” because nowadays I observed that there are a lot of employees whose job descriptions are for network administrators but does not function as to what he/she is supposed to do. This path is really not easy. Being a fully functioning network administrator not only requires knowledge from researches and readings but also needs vast experience in the said field. It is also a fact that this job is not in huge numbers in developing countries like ours, that’s why finding the job itself is a pain. And because the job is very limited there will be a lot of other qualified applicants like me that would be my rivals.

Considering this goal as a very big challenge for me, I have come up with these strategies to at least give me a better chance in achieving this goal.


1. Read wide arrays of related articles and books

Knowledge is not limited on the things that our professors in school teach us. Our generation is very blessed because information nowadays is in the grasp of our hands. This privilege gave each one of us the capacity to be better every day, to surpass the boundaries of distance and time, and to learn more by just sitting in front of your computer while browsing the net. Though this fact is very good to know, sad to say, the advantage that our generation is experiencing is up to us to put into good use. Even though vast significant information are in our reach, it is still worthless if we instead reach on those senseless things or not even bother to reach a hand.

Knowing this, I’ll make sure that the opportunity that the current information era is giving us will be put into good use. I will read relevant articled everyday focusing on IT related subjects. I will take advantage of different forums and activities that our college will give us and listen to the things that speakers will share. If I have some spare cash I will buy some IT related books especially those that focuses its topics on computer networking. This stage will be an information gathering one. I’ll make sure that I will meet new terms, new algorithms, new definitions and theories every day. In this manner I will be better and more knowledgeable every day. I may not feel the relevance of some readings that I may encounter for now but this will help me be familiarized in this subjects thus they will not be foreign to me as I meet them in the near future. And besides, we have a saying that prevention is better than cure. Prevention from ignorance is better than treating it in the future.


2. Grab every chance of IT and Networking experience
I have my own personal computer. And there was one time when I needed to link up with my classmates’ laptop. A beginner myself, I was quite confused on how to do things. So I browsed the internet and found a lot of ways on directly connecting two computers using a single networking cable.

The scenario that I have mentioned was a networking experience itself. Though it may not be that hard for networking professionals it’s a very healthy experience for me. These circumstances are the things that cannot be thought in school. As some say, experience is the best teacher. And in order to be thought by the best teacher, I must be open for them. I will make sure that I will grab any possible IT related experience that I can have. From upgrading/fixing my own computer to networking and diagnosing others computers.

There are a lot of things that is easier said than done. This situation is same with IT related instructions and procedures. For example, it is very easy to enumerate the steps on how to change a CPU. First, you take out the CPU fan, unbolt it if have some bolts. If the motherboard is a new version, pull the lever to unlock the metal that is enclosing the CPU. After that gently lift the CPU and replace it by the new one. Make sure that it is properly in place then lock it using the lever. Then put some thermal paste, about a pea-size. Then install the CPU fan and it’s done. Looks very easy but it will be a pain if it’s your first time to do this step. Getting the CPU fan out of the motherboard is not that easy, a lot of wires and main board parts are just beside it and you need to be careful not to bulge them or your motherboard will be broken. Applying the thermal paste is also better to be learned through experience. If the thermal paste is too much, it will overflow and penetrate to the CPU and the results will be not so good. That’s why experiencing these instructions rather than reading them will be much more significant. You may not get good results at first, but as you continue to do the process, you will have familiarity over it and assuming you have been doing this for a long time, it is expected that you have encountered almost all possible circumstance that might happen during the process. This will help you give fast and relevant solutions to them.


3. Be involved in the IT society

It is a good thing to learn by yourself but it does not mean that you will not allow others to have a share of what you have known. Sharing knowledge is a very good opportunity for development. There are a lot of IT practitioners out there that also have goals like me. Some of them are far ahead of me in terms of experience and researches. It is a good idea to learn from them. The IT society aims to further give the IT industry in our country a boost in practice and relevance. By helping them reach this goal, IT will be rampantly practiced here in the Philippines in the near future, thus, IT specialist will be very in demand. This situation will be very good for us and will give us a lot of opportunities to practice and develop our craft and earn what we sown.


4. Get a college degree

Every good job nowadays requires a college degree, how much more in the future. It is necessary for me to graduate to an IT related to be closer to my goals and give me some good credentials on the future. Studying on an IT related course will also lead me closer to experience and knowledge opportunities that will help me be competitive in the future.


5. Be employed on an IT related job

After finishing my studies, it will not be likely for me to be a network administrator right away. I need to seek for further job experience. And having an IT related job will greatly help me. It is a good thing if it has to do with computer networking, but if not, at least it has something to do with computer hardware. This is because as a competitive network administrator you must not only be good in the software end of networking, but you must also know hardware installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair. Having these capabilities will give me an edge in other applicants that are also interested for the job.


6. Focus on Network Administration in future studies

Unlike the first step where I gathered any possible IT facts and information, on this stage I will focus on information related to networking and administrating it. Experience will continue through my present job. On this stage I will train myself for future opportunities that my dedication to my craft will carry me. And through enough hard work and prayers I will reach my goals soon.


7. Be a network administrator

After all my hard work and struggling paid out. I am a network administrator at last. On this stage I will use all the things from experience to my researches to be a competitive network administrator. I will make sure that all those hard work will not put in to waste and give everything that I can do to give justice to my job.


8. Continue research and studies

My life doesn’t end here. After having my goal as a network administrator I will continue to grab opportunities of experience and knowledge to be closer to my dream in having the most secured and fastest network in the world.


9. Help the IT society
It’s not a bad idea to help others that have the same call like me. The world needs IT. And in order for IT to be helpful, IT needs us; a group of individuals who continue to practice and develop IT for it to suite in the needs of the people. By helping others and sharing my knowledge, this time I will be a part of their own success and give the IT industry a little hand in its endeavor.