The 4 Things IT Pros Want in 2015: In Their Own Words
It’s that time of year again—when the tech media looks into their crystal ball to predict what will matter to IT pros in the coming year. Rather than rely on supernatural guidance, we decided to go right to the source—we asked the Spiceworks community “What are your Professional goals for 2015?” Aside from the occasional predictable response…
Try not to hit a user with a chair. -Matthew6920
…these IT pros paint a picture of much different desires than the tech media usually predicts.
Here’s what IT pros REALLY want in 2015.
1. EDUCATION (61%)
33 of the 54 responses say they want to improve their education in 2015. Most of the skills mentioned are hard, technical skills—with few responses speaking of “soft skills”—and the majority of respondents agree that success in the ever-changing IT landscape requires continuous education:
To continue to learn about the IT industry… IT is constantly evolving… -Olivia for Authorize.Net
For some of these IT pros, continuous education means finishing up their BAs, sharpening existing skills, and taking advantage of opportunities for new on-the-job experiences:
Continuing to learn and improve. Hopefully I’ll continue my streak of high profile projects to prove and test myself along the way. -Richard3966
But for most, education means certification. Common certifications to pursue include Server 2012, Comptia A+, Linux and Cisco. As one respondent put it:
2015— Year of the Certs -Exist_cat
While earning degrees and certifications leads to new job opportunities, many IT pros attach deeper personal meaning to their education:
I want to expand my knowledge base and earn my first certification. I know the debate will rage forever over what certifications are worth it and how much weight one may carry over another, but it’s something I want to do for me, just to prove to myself that I can do it. -nelsrm19
2. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH (38%)
21 of the 54 responses say they are focused on career planning and advancing their professional lives in 2015. Some IT pros have concrete plans in place—they mention the education, projects and outcomes they want to pursue in 2015—while others simply know they’d rather move forward than stay in place:
I want to have a more dedicated and focused approach towards building my career in 2015. -shruti19
Sometimes this concern comes from feeling complacent:
For the first time I’ve had a job that has paid me a livable wage tbh… it’s been hard for me to really push myself because of this. I am really hoping that I can find that push to bring myself to the next level. I need to get hungry again. -Daniel9533
But often it comes from a lack of external challenges:
To hopefully keep learning things at this job. It’s why I left my last job, I hate getting stuck in ruts. -Ross42
When IT pros lack room for professional growth in their existing organization, they are happy to seek better opportunities elsewhere:
Honestly, looking for a new job. Doesn’t look will there will be any advancement opportunities here any time in the next decade or so. -Alequaff
3. PROJECTS (27%)
15 of the 54 responses say starting or completing a specific project is a big goal for 2015. These projects include virtualization, automation, and upgrading infrastructure. Interestingly, no one said day-to-day operations are a big focus for them. Why? Probably because projects tie directly into…
Raises
I’d also like to roll out Office365 and build another VM Host so I can be fully virtualized by June. And continue with automation. Hopefully doing these things will make the company see my value and raise my pay! -patrickmendyka
Promotions
We are moving to virtualized systems and from SPARC to Intel. Then I’ll earn the pending promotion in July. -Dan S
Greater Responsibility
Finish rebuilding my entire environment so I can breathe at last, sit back, and worry on improving things and being creative instead of just milking them along. 🙂 -Dwhippa
An Increased Sense of Meaning at Work
A lot of IT can be automated. When you automate, you become a wizard, people fear you and you can then spend all of your time on the 20% of it that actually makes you feel worth something and actually matters. -Jeff79
4. MONEY (20%)
Only 11 of the 54 responses say earning more was a big priority for 2015. While we encourage them to go for the compensation they deserve, IT pros tend to not be money-motivated people. When speaking of money, they often treat is as an afterthought:
Definitely some Certifications. I’d like A+ and Network+. A+ at least is my goal (and a raise never hurt!). -Danielbusta
Yes, most IT pros do want to increase their compensation:
mo money, mo bacon! -NickAtACompany
But money rarely motivates an IT pro for long:
I would also like to move away from technical support/desktop services within the next two years, ideally sooner. I’ve had a taste of system and network administration, and I would really like to move toward that again. The wage and benefits at my current tech support job were simply too good to pass up; but with any luck there will be a network technician position available at the same employer in the next twelve months. -jschadt
How to Make 2015 a Great Year ?
Focus on What Really Matters
IT pros want to learn, to grow their careers in meaningful ways, to work on projects that challenge them and are valued by the business, and if more money results from the above, then all the better. Simple, yes, but focusing on providing these four things for yourself—and your people, if you manage a team—will ensure 2015 is the year you truly get what you want.
