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BOFH is now passé – consultant

My dreamboat sysadmin

Rick Freedman, IT consultant and author, says he sees changes coming in the typical IT admin job description. No longer will sysadmins or network administrators be able to get by on technical talent alone. In the near future, they're going to need - gasp - people skills.

For many people, the phrase "IT tech" conjures up a vision of the Bastard Operator From Hell (BOFH) - a crass , grumpy, intolerant freak dressed in black who sits in his cube for hours typing code, only emerging to growl at passers-by as he heads to the latest idiot's desk to fix their network settings or plug in the computer that "won't work." (Tina, you cheeky monkey - Ed.)

But admins have to develop some manners or face losing their positions to those with more social graces, says Freedman. "Bedside manner, the ability to talk to a client in language that the client can understand, is a key element of success.

Freedman's idea of the perfect IT tech: "Like a partner in a law firm, he knows that his job is a little bit services and a little bit relationship. Like an accountant that needs to keep up with changes in tax law, he knows that he needs to keep up with changes in technology or else his skills will become obsolete quickly. He's a combination of subject matter expert, business consultant, advisor, trainer and project manager."

Sound scary? Freedman says that you can develop the necessary skills by designing your own personal career development program, that "includes not just the latest technical boot camp, but also incorporates sales skills, project skills, business context, and communication. Most community colleges offer professional development programs that include skills like active listening, presentation skills, facilitation & negotiation."

Freedman also recommends subscribing to business magazines like Fortune or BusinessWeek to facilitate conversation with pointy-hairs. Not only that, but it would be smart to study trends in IT so you can make recommendations for your department.

Employers who want the best in IT talent should look for potential employees who have the right attitude, and not just aptitude, says Freedman. "There are a lot of IT techs out there who will look at these suggestions and say 'this is a lot of bull! I'm a genius at my technical area and, if I'm not a good communicator or a good presenter, they can take it or leave it! They need me more than I need them!' That's an employee I wouldn't want on my team, and wouldn't recommend to my clients that they hire, no matter how strong her technical skills might be."

Reason being, of course, that the economy and job market aren't what they used to be. The years-long economic boom trained legions of IT workers that their employers did, in fact, need them more. But that's not completely true anymore, when jobs and dollars are scarce. Employers now have to squeeze as much nebulous "productivity" from their staff as possible to satisfy the psychological bottom line.

Not only that, but the very counter-culture mystique that has surrounded IT people and has been responsible in some measure for their job security is evaporating, according to Freedman. ?What we saw back in the original counter-culture days of the 1960's, when long hair on men went from being a badge of certain beliefs to a part of mainstream style, is also happening in the world of tech.

?When Linux makes the front cover of Business Week magazine, and articles featuring ?software nomads? and ?open-source vagabonds? pop up in the business press, it's clear that counter-culture and conventional culture have merged.?

Which means that, since sysadmins are now officially just like everyone else, they are expected to act just like everyone else ? no snarling allowed. ®

Copyright © Newsforge.com

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