My Professional Attributes Assessment in Relation to My Job Application - Personal Statement Example

Research Report: My Professional Attributes Assessment in Relation to My Job Application for the Advertised Tasmanian Catholic Education Office IT Technician Vacancy (Student Name) C Q University (Date) Abstract The following paper presents a detailed assessment of my professional skills and attributes in relation to my job application for the advertised Tasmanian Catholic Education Office I. T Technician vacancy. The paper first analyzes the specific skills required in the job. It then explores various facets of my suitability for the job of I. T Technician, first delving into the specific skills acquired from the C Q University Bachelor of Information Technology and then to any skills obtained during my previous worksite experience. The paper then assesses the aspects of my personality that shall be beneficial for the job at hand. The assessment then takes a visionary angle, predicting the additional skills that I. T specialists, technicians or otherwise, shall need to have acquired in the course of the next three years based on information accrued from various significant literature. The paper summarily ends with a conclusion reiterating my suitability for the job of I. T Technician. Research Report: My Professional Attributes Assessment in Relation to My Job Application for the Advertised Tasmanian Catholic Education Office IT Technician Vacancy The Tasmanian Catholic Education Office recently advertised the vacant position of an I. T Technician. I just graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology form C Q University and I am excited about being able to realize my career objectives. Having just made my first serious plunge into the job market, I would like to embark on a proper career path with the prestigious institution that the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office undoubtedly is. The following assessment is thus an overview of my skills and attributes- those acquired at C Q University, those acquired during previous job engagements; and those unique to my character and personality. Ultimately, my objective is to prove my suitability, expertise and capability for the job at hand beyond a shadow of doubt and this shall be accomplished in the following paragraphs of this discourse. Job Requirements According to the job advertisement, the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office are looking for an IT Technician who shall generally provide technical and user support to schools within the Hobart locality. More specifically, they seek a worker that is hands- on, giving practical assistance to the school with regards to software use and ICT equipment use. In addition, the successful candidate shall be required to maintain all ICT infrastructure including software, hardware, and network components in addition to testing and installing solutions. In terms of academic qualifications, the candidate is required to possess a certificate IV in Information Technology or its equivalent) in addition to experience in the IT field and a current drivers licence. These qualifications are as per the job advertisement. Nevertheless, as with all jobs extra contributions are often sought even without being explicitly expressed within the advertisement. As Budd (2005, p. 177) explains, most advertisements only outline the minimum qualifications as the minimum threshold for considering a candidate but if all candidates meet this minimum threshold, the candidate who has extra abilities is usually favoured. This truth often manifests itself during aptitude tests where ones stamina and practical abilities are gauged over and above educational qualifications. It is thus important to be conversant with all the necessary skills that are related to the job that one is seeking. According to the Municipal and Community Affairs (2005, p. 2), additional skills required from an I. T Technician include: training staff concerning the uses of existing technology; troubleshooting; giving orientation to the new users of any technology; giving recommendations with regards to accessing information and support; maintaining an accurate and current inventory of technology software, hardware and resources; providing individual support and training upon request; installing various types of work stations when necessary; installing and maintaining passwords and Foolproof; and so on. These are some of the additional practical abilities that set one apart from the competition and the following paragraphs shall provide evidence that I possess these abilities. Professional Skills and Attributes The quality of the Bachelor of Information Technology degree offered at C Q University is unquestionable. Indeed, the Australian Computer Society (2009) has listed CQ University as one of the top universities in Australia to study for IT with its Bachelor of I. T course having a professional accreditation. It further provides a fitting description of C Q University as “an internationally, nationally and regionally networked and engaged university (Australian Computer Society, 2009). In addition, C Q University was presented with the most top ratings of any Australian university- the regionally recognized Good Universities Guide awards seven 5-star ratings in 2003. In addition, they received the Good Universities Guide awards in 2007 (C Q University Australia, 2009). The five 5-star ratings are inclusive of 5 stars for Positive Graduate Outcomes, an award C Q University has received for the last three years. All these awards prove that C Q University graduates in all departments are among the very best in the entire country. Therefore, having graduated with honours with a Bachelor of I. T degree from this prestigious university, I am equipped with exceptional skills learned from some of the best professionals in the field and am thus more than competent to succeed in any aspect of I. T within any organization. As part of the Bachelor of I. T curriculum, very important and work- place relevant courses are offered and all students are required to take them. As outlined by the C Q University Student Handbook (2009), these courses include: Conceptual Foundations of Computing; Computing Systems; Visual Programming; Java Programming; Information Systems Project Management; Ethics and Social Issues; Data Communications; Systems Development A; Systems Development B; Objects and Data Structures; Operating Systems; Systems Administration; Information Security; Database Use and Design; Applied Distributed Systems; Human-Computer Interaction; Networks; Algorithms and Data Structures; Professional and Technical Communication; Internet Application Development; and Database Application Development. All these courses are up- to- date and in synchronization with the current advances in the world of Information Technology. I excelled in each of them as my academic transcripts attest to. The wealth of knowledge accrued from the courses have proved to be invaluable and I always make reference to them whenever I find myself faced with an I. T related problem. Despite my academic excellence, however, the most unique aspect of the mode of study in the I. T department of the university was not the mere acquisition of theoretical knowledge. Instead, the emphasis our tutors placed was in practical assessments. It is in this area, more than in the theoretical aspects of our coursework that I enjoyed the most and I likewise excelled in them. It is these practical lessons that have equipped me with the skills and attributes I have today. One such skill and attribute attained was the ability to administer and install computer software, hardware and networks of all manners. I am enthusiastic about tracking the current software’s available in the market and familiarizing myself with them. I can install and test new software and then make this software available to the appropriate users. For instance, I am well able to install the most powerful and effective anti-virus software and ensure that is up to date and functioning appropriately in all stations. This is important in ensuring that all work stations are operating optimally for the convenience of all users. Similarly, I am proficient in hardware use, installation and maintenance. I am thus able to check new computer equipment and install the necessary hardware’s. In addition, I have the ability to: look after and maintain computer equipment such as printers, scanners, projectors and whiteboards; ensure that computer equipment are constantly ready for the use of all members; ensue the safe deployment of computer hardware; maintain the inventory; ensure the electrical safety of all appliances; carry out fire safety testing; maintain the battery conditions of computers; keep a log of all technical faults; link with external support agencies such as OCC School Service Desk to repair faults quickly; communicate with outside suppliers for the repair of equipment under maintenance contract or warranty; and make sure that staff are conscious of the importance of the maintenance of all equipment such as battery maintenance. I have an in- depth understanding of all hardwires and their component parts and thus will be of great help whenever a problem arises relating to computer hardwares. With regards to network management I am a specialist networker- my skills are above par as I am very familiar with the network infrastructure patch panels and cable hubs, OCN router, switches, and the like. My skills in this area afford me the ability to check all network back up logs when need arises in addition to setting up, maintaining and eradicating user network accounts when necessary. Further to that, I am able to carry out routine network maintenance tasks, in addition to maintaining a log of all damages (Becta, 2007). In addition, I have the ability to implement and design network infrastructure to meet any organizational requirements. I can set up firewalls, internet filtering systems and disk caches. Furthermore, I am capable of creating ICT financial processes among other processes as all I. T Technicians should be able to do (Becta, 2007). All in all, I always ensure that I strictly adhere to the recommended procedures and guidelines of suppliers to ensure network stability, a requisite quality of an I. T Technician. Another skill I possess is the ability to carry out Information Systems project management, an increasingly important skill in many an organization. Assessing the importance of Information Systems project management to the success of any organization is crucial and is a skill that I have crafted over the years. I have the ability to apply the key concepts of project management, analyze projects; make reports on the weaknesses and strengths of quality assurance; and most importantly, apply project management softwares in an information systems project setting. These are just a few examples of the professional and practical skills I possess. The aforementioned skills are not just theoretical but very practical as I have experience in applying these skills. During my last holiday break, I was fortunate enough to have received an internship opportunity in Melbourne with the CSL International Internship Program. Here, I gained invaluable work experience, putting the various practical skills to application within a work environment. It was an eye- opening experience that helped improve my skills and made me ready for placement in an organization such as Tasmanian Catholic Education Office. It is this experience that has given me the confidence that I could apply everything I had learnt during my undergraduate studies and it is this confidence that assures me that I am well suited to the job as an I. T technician. Personal Skills and Attributes Practical professional skills are important and without them, one cannot become an I. T technician. However, technical skill is useless without personal skills since, contrary to popular belief, I. T is a people- centred field. To become an effective I. T Technician, one has to be friendly and patient since the reality is that most ordinary people are not well- versed with computers and their applications. Failure to understand this may lead to angry encounters, particularly among people with short fuses. I am alive to this fact and always ensure that I constantly develop my personal attributes alongside my professional skills. I am well aware that one of my greatest strengths is with regards to my personality and the following paragraphs are dedicated to assessing my personal attributes. The first personal attribute I have that shall put me in good stead within the capacity of an I. T technician is communication skills. I am naturally a very friendly person and enjoy talking to people. I can communicate effectively with the staff, colleagues and supervisors; and I possess empathy and thus will not lose my temper easily even when dealing with I. T ignorant members. My communication skills are not limited to verbal skills, however, and I am also a very good writer. These writing skills are necessary when communicating problems concerning software, hardware or network to other members of the organization. My inter-personal relationships are likewise very good, skills that I polished during my internship with the CSL International Internship Program. I easily established excellent working relationships with workers at various levels of the company and will likewise do the same as an I. T Technician. I naturally enjoy inspiring and motivating people and will make sure to do the same with the staff and fellow colleagues. The last personal attribute I shall touch on and that makes me suitable for this job is my superior ability at problem solving. This is a skill that cannot be taught but is one that I am very good at. As such, I have the ability to make good decisions even during stressful periods. I have a calm demeanour and thus can maintain my cool under intense pressure. I can easily identify problems and patiently appraise the situation before deciding on a solution. This is crucial, particularly in troubleshooting and will thus be beneficial to me during my duties as I. T Technician. Additional Professional Skills and Attributes That Shall Be Necessary For I.T Technicians in the Next Three Years The I. T industry is without a doubt the most dynamic and fastest growing industry in the world. The advances that have occurred in the last 50 years are nothing short of tremendous and these changes are set to carry on in the coming years. Most I. T experts have different predictions as to what the next big thing in I. T and they all have their own interpretations about the skills that will be necessary in the coming years. According to Shin (2008), skills in open source will be very necessary. Open source refers to computer software for which the source code is freely available (WordNet, 2009). Shin explains that 87 per cent of businesses in the U S make use of open source and more astoundingly, there are 900, 000 developers contributing to open source (2008). He predicts that the momentum for Open Source is increasing at a very fast rate thus any I. T specialist worth their salt must acquire open source skills (Shin, 2008). It is evidently an important area in I. T and skills for it must be obtained for I. T specialists to keep up with the momentum. In addition, areas related to the web, infrastructure and jobs related to information content remain challenging. A majority of agency CIOs in the United States have predicted that there needs to be increased training and competency in these areas since present proficiency ratings in the same are exceedingly low (The Research Foundation of State University of New York, 2009). This requires updating the curriculum and even re- training I. T specialists to be at par with the challenges of the future. Though there are many other skills that shall be required in the future, these are the main areas where I. T specialists need to keep abreast within the next three years to ensure that they are not left behind with the increasing technological advances that are bound to come. Conclusion In a nutshell, I am absolutely certain that I am more than qualified to become an I. T Technician with the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office. I am first and foremost well- educated and trained, having graduated with a Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) from one of the best universities in Australia, C Q University. In addition, I have work place experience, having had my internship with the CSL International Internship Program where I put my professional and personal skills to good use. Last of all and most importantly, I’m very passionate about my work. I genuinely enjoy working with computers and with people and this passion will serve as my drive for perfection. I am confident that I shall be an asset to you organization; now and in the future. References Australian Computer Society. (2009). Australian Universities. Retrieved October 8, 2005, From http://www.acs.org.au/ictcareers/index.cfm?action=load&temID=universities&state=all&position=asc Becta. (2007). Technical Competencies Framework. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://www.becta.org.uk/techcomp/comp/ C Q University Australia. (2009). Our History. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://content.cqu.edu.au/FCWViewer/view.do?page=4777 C Q University Student Handbook. (2009). CQ18 - Bachelor of Information Technology. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://handbook.cqu.edu.au/Handbook/programs_4.jsp?s=4&code=CQ18 Budd, John W et. al. (2005). The ethics of human resources and industrial relations. Illinois: Cornwell University Press. Municipal and Community Affairs. (2005). Job Description: Information Technician. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://www.maca.gov.nt.ca/school/tools/JD_docs/Information%20Technician%20JD..pdf Shin, Sang. (2008). Technology: Next 10 Years. Sun Microsystems. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://www.javapassion.com/javase/why_it_career.pdf The Research Foundation of State University of New York. (2009). Conclusions and Future Considerations. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/reports/nysit_statewidesurvey?chapter=10 WordNet. (2009). Open Source. Princeton University. Retrieved October 8, 2005, from http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=open-source Appendix Job Advertisement It Technician (South) About The Job Tasmanian Catholic Education Office IT Technician (South). The Tasmanian Catholic Education Office is a welcoming and professional organisation that supports Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hobart. We are currently seeking an IT Technician to provide technical and user support to a group of schools in the Hobart area. The position reports directly to the ICT Manager and will be responsible for: • Providing practical support to school staff in their use of ICT equipment and software• Maintain ICT infrastructure in a cluster of schools including hardware, software and network components• Installing and testing specific solutions The successful applicant will hold a certificate IV in Information Technology (or equivalent), have work experience in the IT field and hold a current drivers licence. Salary to be determined according to qualifications & experience and in line with the Catholic Education Agreement. For further information and to obtain an Application Package for the position, please contact: Mrs Nicole Moore Senior Administrative Officer Phone: (03) 6210 8888Fax (03) 6210 8844Email nicole.moore@catholic.tas.edu.au Applications close: Wednesday 21 October 2009. 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