It’s a great time to enter the world of Information Technology in Virginia. It might surprise many people to learn that, while it’s ideal to be technically inclined, you don’t have to have years of experience writing code in a dark room to break into the IT world. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
We spoke with Candace Phelps, business administrator and recruitment specialist at Digital One Technology in Lynchburg, to learn more about what it takes work in IT, and what attributes and skills Digital One values in its employees.
Strong Customer Service Skills
Interpersonal skills may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about IT but according to Candace, it should be at the top of the list.
“You may know how to fix a problem, but if you don’t know how to communicate your diagnosis and next steps in terms that customers understand, then moving forward will be difficult and frustrating for everyone involved,” said Candace. “Ensuring people feel taken care of is a crucial part of the job. If you’re working with people, you have to be able to communicate with them.
Collaboration and Communication
Like many employers, Digital One values honesty and integrity in its employees and considers these attributes just as important as being tech-savvy.
“This is one of those industries where some things stay the same, but plenty of things change rapidly as well,” said Candace. “And although this is usually positive change, it can also come with difficulties. We want people who are upfront and honest about challenges they’ve faced and know how to work well and communicate with other members of the team.”
Good Attitude and Willingness to Learn
There are many paths to pursue in IT, and many opportunities for growth. Digital One looks for employees who have a desire to learn more and a positive attitude.
“Whatever you’re hoping to pursue, whether it’s a desk job in cybersecurity or you want to go on site to help set up laptops at a school or business, there’s so much to learn,” said Candace. “Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you learn, you just have be willing to take the first step.”
Along with strong communication skills and an eagerness to learn, a good attitude will get you far at Digital One.
“I can’t tell you how many times people have been hired on at Digital One, not because they had a strong background in IT,” Candance shared. “But because they had a good attitude.”
Digital One is currently hiring Level 1 IT Field Services Technicians to travel and cover the central Virginia area performing networking installations, basic telephone troubleshooting, and many other IT-related Services. To learn more about the position and benefits, visit Digital One’s career page.
Digital One is a supporter of Virginia’s Community Colleges and the statewide G3 Business Ambassador program. Visit its website to learn more.
