Week 8 a.k.a. IT Pro In My Country

As there is no strict definition, it may be quite difficult to discuss and describe professionals in any field including IT. Still, today I will try to come up with my own answer to this question and share it with you. This is Week 8 of SPEAIT2021K course and I would like to would like to become IT professional.

For me, one defining aspect of being a professional is knowledge. Even though we live in time when the Internet is present, which can be the source of unlimited knowledge, and everyone can learn programming and related things from home on their own, I think that companies still generally prefer people with university degree. That is understandable, since in order to get your university dergee, you have to prove that you possess required knowledge. That being said, I don't imply that the piece of paper from university defines whether you are a profeesional or not - you can be a professional without it, you can be not a professional with it.

Secondly, I think that your attitude to work and your passion matter. It makes a big difference when you are excited about your work or when you do it mechanically without enjoying it. Your mood always affects people around you and since programming is often a team work, it is crucial that noone spreads negativity. Still, I think that you can be a profesional without enjoying your work and I understand that after some time your work becomes a routine.

Lastly, I think that soft- or social skills play a big role too. It is important to know how to sell yourself, it is important to know how to communicate with other members of your team, it is important to just be social. After all, a company will more likely hire just OK specialist who is good with people rather than an excellent specialist who cannot communicate well with others. And it is quite logical, since it is easier to improve your professional skills than to become other person.

I would like to end by saying that it is hard to describe an abstract professional in any field, to find that one formula which would make you a professional. I think that there are people who meet all criteria and still cannot be called professionals and there are people opposite to that, who may lack some qualities and compensate with other. The most important thing is to be passionate about what you do. Set your goals clear and achieve them, that's all that matters.