In our most recent “Featured Position” posts, we have focused on skilled trade careers that come with manual labor. And while we love that hands-on aspect of this industry, there’s so much more to it than just that. Our industry offers opportunities for all personalities. Now, more than ever, we need diverse skill sets to advance our communities through high-quality construction, from front-end planning to back-end work.
If you want to make a difference in your community but are better at working behind a computer screen than operating heavy machinery, a position as an Information Systems Specialist might be right for you.
Information Systems Specialists, also known as Information Technology (IT) Managers, can be found in every job sector across the country in some capacity. Generally speaking, they support technological needs, spanning from databases to web resources to enterprise systems.
As with other sectors, IT Managers in the construction industry are responsible for every aspect of an organization’s information systems – from initial software development to network management to ongoing database administration.
So why should the tech-savvy consider a position within the construction industry, rather than directly with tech or with another industry? The potential impact they can have on the community and in their career.
Of course, the construction industry isn’t the only place where IT Managers can thrive, but it is the only one that makes the visible, incredible impact on the local community. Aside from the benefit it creates for the greater good, people who choose this career have a greater opportunity for advancement than in other sectors. The construction industry has slowly been adopting more and more technology to its processes and depending on information systems unlike ever before. With that growth comes the need for expertise and more job opportunities for Information Systems Specialists in the construction industry.
At first glance, this position might seem like a desk-only role. But in reality, Information Systems Specialists wear a lot of hats. Including:
- Visionaries, as they help determine the information technology goals of an organization.
- Executors, as they take the lead in implementing new computer systems.
- Educators, as they train non-technical workers on the business’s information systems.
- Technicians, as they provide technical support to employees.
- Designers, as they develop and establish new systems.
- Managers, as they take time to delegate and educate more junior team members.
- Vice Presidents, as they establish long-range planning in an increasingly vital specialty.
These varying responsibilities require specialized skills only education and experience can provide. From a certificate program for those on a short timeline to an advanced doctoral degree for those with larger long-term goals, education is critical to success. The average Information Systems Specialist obtains a bachelor’s degree in computer or information science. And, as with every other position we’ve featured, industry experience is not only preferred but also highly desirable.
You can be a part of an impactful, inspiring industry doing the things you love the most (and are best at). Learn more about this in-demand career on our website. Click here.
