332: Exposure Changes Attitudes and Share Your Story with Kevin Harris

In this week’s show, Phil talks to Kevin Harris, who has been in the IT field for over 20 years, holding positions that range from Systems Analyst to Chief Information Officer.

He is now a higher education administration official at American Public University System, continuing to make system improvements to support student success and learning. As a faculty member he has delivered instruction in several disciplines including business, cybersecurity, computer science, and computer networking, with particular interest in information security and computer forensics.

Kevin joins Phil to talk about how exposure to new opportunities can help to shape our attitudes. He also discusses the value to be found in sharing our own career stories, and how this can inspire others.

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

 

TOP CAREER TIP

Make sure you’re always stepping out of your comfort zone. By pushing yourself into spaces outside of your comfort zone, you develop new sensibilities and attitudes.

 

WORST CAREER MOMENT

During a junior role, Kevin and his team assumed that all the work they had done was enough, but upon the rollout of the project, it transpired that things were not as prepared as they may have liked. This taught Kevin the value of understanding each organisation’s political structure.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHT

Kevin was given the chance to return to his college and work on prestigious projects. Working on the other side of learning was quite a thrill.

 

THE FUTURE OF CAREERS IN I.T

IT has become a more inclusive place to work, and a sector that allows for many more opportunities for growth, as well as more diversity in terms of raising up minorities.

 

THE REVEAL

What first attracted you to a career in I.T.? – The challenge of finding solutions to problems.

What’s the best career advice you received? – As long as you understand the consequences, you can do anything you want to do.

What’s the worst career advice you received? – Don’t seek roles above you and stay where you are until something comes up.

What would you do if you started your career now? – Kevin would be more intentional about finding an internship.

What are your current career objectives? Focusing on more ways to introduce tech to more diverse communities.

What’s your number one non-technical skill? – Being able to take something highly technical and communicating it to a wider audience.

How do you keep your own career energized? – Kevin is always asking questions, as well as reading and listening.

What do you do away from technology? – Kevin regularly “unplugs” by going fishing and getting back to nature.

 

FINAL CAREER TIP

Share your story. No matter where you’re at in your career, sharing your story so far can act as a beacon to others who may be at the beginning of their own journey.

 

BEST MOMENTS

(5:51) – Kevin - “Exposure changes attitudes”

(12:20) – Kevin - “There’s a lot of underrepresented populations in the tech field that we need to focus on, but I think the momentum is there”

(13:55) – Kevin – “You can do anything you want to do but you must understand the consequences to it”

(17:13) – Kevin – “Anyone who’s interested in tech can find their place and a really rewarding career”

 

ABOUT THE HOST – PHIL BURGESS

Phil Burgess is an independent IT consultant who has spent the last 20 years helping organizations to design, develop, and implement softwar