How to Become an IT Manager

An information technology (IT) manager is in charge of the employees that install and maintain computer systems, including software and wireless networks, for companies and organizations. They are involved in both the technical and...

Part 1 of 3:

Working on Your Education

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    Choose computer electives while you're in middle and high school. In order to prepare yourself for a career in IT, you should learn as much as you can about computers. As you spend more time with these machines, you'll begin to understand how they work, the kinds of problems or bugs that often cause them to break, and how to repair them.
    1. IT workers (including managers) set up and oversee computer technology such as software and networking. They also do routine diagnostics checks and troubleshoot issues with the machines. While basic computer classes won't cover the exact duties of an IT worker, they'll give you a good foundation to build on.
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    Disassemble an old computer and put it back together. Buy an old computer online or at a local used electronics store. Use YouTube tutorials and other online how-tos to take it apart. Then put the computer back together or get new parts to customize it. This is a great way to learn what makes a computer tick, as well how to fix it or make it work more efficiently.[1]
    1. You can also ask your friends and family members if they'd be willing to let you take a look at their broken computers.
    2. If you can, take apart both a PC and a Mac to get exposed to the different types of popular machines.
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    Get your bachelor's in information technology or computer science. Unlike some jobs in IT, managers need to have a bachelor's degree to get hired.[2] Some colleges offer information technology or informational technology management majors that prepare students for both the business and technical aspects of IT careers.[3][4]
    1. Ask your guidance counselor to help you find these schools, or look online for the top-rated information technology programs.
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    Take communications and management classes as well. Your computer science or information technology degree will prepare you to handle the technical side of the job. However, a big part of your position in particular will be communicating with your employees and the rest of the workers at the company in order to keep your department running smoothly. These supplemental courses can help you with your public speaking, leadership, and business management skills.[5]
    1. Communicate to your professors that you're interested in the management side of the career field. They'll help you enroll in the classes you need to develop leadership and business management skills.
    2. Consider double majoring or minoring in management.
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    Get an internship to build your network. Look for an internship while you're still an undergraduate. Apply for internships that will expose you to IT departments at major companies. This will give you a body of contacts that you can rely on later to point you in the direction of open positions or to write recommendation letters.[6]
    1. Ask your professors and/or advisor to help you find internships that will improve your career prospects.
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    Find a tech boot camp online or at a local university. Tech boot camps cover different topics, but many are meant to launch people into careers as IT workers. Some are designed for recent graduates, which will likely be the best option for you. Look for boot camps that emphasize IT management as well.[7]
    1. Some boot camps may be offered to lower-income students for free. Search online for these opportunities.[8]
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    Go for your master's degree to improve your job prospects. While a master's degree isn't required for IT managers, it may help you land a higher-paying job or competitive position with an exciting company. Look into getting a master of science (MS) degree in IT management, or a master's of business administration (MBA) with an emphasis on computer technology.[9]
    1. Talk to your undergraduate advisor about reputable master's programs. They may also be able to recommend scholarships you can apply for to pay for the degree.
Part 2 of 3:

Becoming Certified as an IT Worker

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    Begin with Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications. The CCNA Routing & Switching exam is a prerequisite certification. This low-level exam will cover the installation and configuration of network routers and switches, as well as how to upgrade a company's networks when new technology arrives.[10] Once you've completed it, you can choose a career concentration (by taking upper-level exams) in security, service provider operations, remote collaboration, or wireless setup.[11]
    1. The test costs $325 USD. You can take it at a certified testing center or online.[12]
    2. Entry-level IT workers will generally need to be certified to do network setup, computer security and repair, and installation of new computer technology. The Cisco exams can get you started on this path.
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    Verify your foundational skills as a CompTIA A+ Technician. Completing this exam shows that you understand the typical hardware and software that's used by companies in the business world. It also shows that you can handle multiple platforms, including mobile and traditional devices. Look for training materials and online courses on the CompTIA website.[13]
    1. This 90-question online exam costs $205 USD.
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    Develop your networking skills with the CompTIA Network+ certification. Passing this test shows employers that you can design, configure, and troubleshoot wireless networks. This is a good certification to get early in your career to round out your IT skill set.[14]
    1. This online exam costs $294 USD.
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    Take online training courses if you can afford them. The companies that produce these certification exams also offer prep classes for them. These can get pricey, usually costing at least $100 USD per course.[15] You can also purchase study materials and training through online tech schools such as Udemy.[16]
    1. Many undergraduate IT programs will include prep for these certifications.[17]
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    Choose self-prep books and practice questions if you're on a budget. Go to your local bookstore and library and search online to find study books and practice exams. Be sure this material is up-to-date by checking when it was published. Don't rely on study materials that are more than 1 year old.[18]
    1. Although this will be less costly, if you prefer structure when learning, consider waiting to register for the exams until you've saved enough for the courses.
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    Continue to pursue valuable upper-level certifications. There are several technical skills that are particularly important to IT managers, including an understanding of Java programming language, SAP implementation, database management, cloud storage, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems.[19]
    1. Cisco and CompTIA provide a number of upper-level certification exams.[20] It's also a good idea to obtain Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certifications.[21]
    2. You can slowly budget for these certifications after you've secured a job as an entry-level IT worker.
Part 3 of 3:

Moving up to Manager

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    Volunteer your skills with a local organization to get experience. Get in touch with nonprofits, schools, or other budget-strapped institutions near you. See if there's a computer technology problem that you can address. Put this experience on your resume (in a separate spot than paid job) to show employers that you've applied your education and certifications out in the real world.[22]
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    Work as an entry-level IT employee for 5-6 years. Usually, you won't be able to just jump in as an IT manager. Most companies will want to see that you've worked in the IT field for several years before moving up to a management role. Start by applying for jobs as an IT specialist or IT support worker.[23]
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    Ask for more responsibilities at your current company. It's possible that you can become a manager in your own department! Talk to your boss about adding management-like tasks to your current workload. Mention that you're interested in eventually moving up to IT manager, and see if they think that you can gradually assume that role. This slow transition will allow you to ease into your new position.[24]
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    Find IT manager jobs online if you want to change companies. It's possible that there won't be advancement opportunities where you work now. If that's the case, go to Indeed or LinkedIn to search for open positions near you. Write down the skills companies are looking for and see if you match any listings.
    1. If you have all but 1 or 2 of the skills a particular listing mentions, apply! Your education, experience, cover letter, or interview may set you apart from the rest of the pack.
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    Write a resume that showcases your tech and management skills. Put your technical skills and certifications right at the top of the resume. For jobs you've held in the past, talk about measurable accomplishments instead of daily duties.[25]Tailor every resume to the job you're applying for by reading the listing closely. Use your document to emphasize that you're exactly what the company needs.
    1. For example, a company will be less interested in knowing that you 'oversaw network maintenance.' Instead, say that you 'changed network diagnostic protocols, minimizing glitches and cutting time-to-repair by 50% in 2017.'
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    Write a concise but passionate cover letter. Go online and do research about the company as you're writing your cover letter. This will allow you to show that you're enthusiastic about what the company does. Demonstrate your excitement about the IT career field generally, as well as the particular job you're applying for.[26]
    1. Cover letters generally shouldn't be more than 1 single-spaced page.
    2. Proofread carefully before you submit your application! A typo on a resume or cover letter sticks out like a sore thumb.
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    Ace your interview by preparing and dressing the part. When you're brought in for an interview, wear clean and pressed clothing. Show your self-confidence with upright posture, steady eye contact, and a level voice. Be ready for technical questions about your abilities as an IT worker. You'll also want to prepare responses for standard and management-related questions such as the following:[27]
    1. 'How would you handle a frustrated client who felt like the IT department hadn't properly handled their technology issues?'
    2. 'How would you address an employee whose productivity suddenly declined?'
    3. 'Can you describe a difficult problem you encountered in the past and how you solved it?'
    4. 'What are your strengths and weaknesses?'
    5. 'Can you tell me a little bit about yourself, your work experience and educational background?'
Update 24 March 2020
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