NewCareerOptions.co.uk

Practical Routes To Management

There are many different management careers and routes to get into management positions. In the first place, finding the appropriate training and certification will be paramount. Most managers then build their experience in a number of different companies, and continue to retrain to keep their skill-sets current.

Let's Focus on Three Managerial Roles -

Database Administration, HR Management and Information Systems Manager.

Finding out about the various learning and exam criteria for each of these professions can take a good deal of investigation. You could use this page as a reference point for checking out training organisations, as many different ones will appear on it each day. If you want to come back to this information, simply bookmark the page to save time.

Database Management Systems & The Microsoft MCITP Course

Database management will involve running a team of admin clerks who collate company data. The work is highly detailed and specific and calls for someone who has a clear head for accuracy. All the organisation's statistical reports are taken from databases and are the responsibility of the senior database administrator.

He or she will be expected to hold a professional certification such as the MCITP (Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional) DBA, and have gained a good deal of industrial knowledge before qualifying for this role. A suitable career track course if you're retraining to join the industry would be the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician - MCDST. This will allow you to get into the industry and start getting that all-important technical experience.

Some knowledge of SQL would also be needed. SQL is the standard language of databases. For this, a recommended program is the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) SQL Server.

It takes a highly accomplished and experienced person to run a Database Management System. As well as dealing with the running of the system - which includes security issues, analysis and reporting - the role can also involve installing and testing software, and liaising with database developers on design criteria. As a Database Manager you could expect to receive a substantial remuneration package and gain a very real sense of making a major contribution to the running of an organisation.

Human Resources Manager

To progress to management in the field of Human Resources you should have good communication skills for dealing with staff members, and a detailed knowledge of the practices and procedures of employment legislation. The duties of an HR department include recruiting and training staff members, monitoring numbers and encouraging opportunities for developing talent. Plus of course Human Resources has to check that the company's employment regulations and policies are in line with current laws.

All staff members must be familiar with the company's workforce practices, and HR must provide everyone with the details. Staff disputes, benefits and compensation claims will also be under the jurisdiction of HR.

Promotion to a managerial position in HR would give you a very interesting and worthwhile career. The job is very much a product of modern working practices, and is a far cry from the old personnel officer whose duties were much more routine.

These days the HR Manager is a fundamental contributor to the future success of a company.

You have a number of different choices when it comes to training and getting qualified for work in HR. Whether you're looking to join the profession as a graduate, or wish to train alongside working in the industry, you should research into membership of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development). Commercial colleges can take you through the various CIPD membership levels and certifications, and work out a path for you to follow.

IT Management Roles

The role of the Information Systems Manager is to manage and implement an organisation's IT functions and systems.

The work involves (amongst other things) providing the right support to each department in terms of their hardware and software needs, network support, licences, security, back-up, user training and compatibility through change.

Systems Managers are needed in all medium to large organisations, and will be involved in policy decisions regarding strategic planning and quality standards.

This level of job will require first-rate man management and business skills, as well as a strong computer technology background. Supporting the Systems Manager will be computer programmers, analysts, network engineers and security technicians plus other appropriate specialists.

Systems management does not demand a set career path or training route. Discuss your ambitions with several different IT training companies, and start in the area of IT that interests you the most. You should expect to gain an understanding of how to use SQL which was covered earlier when we discussed the role of a DBA, and have a sound working knowledge of Microsoft Operating Systems. But much of your training will be done whilst building your career, as it will be essential to update your technology and management skills over time.