Breaking Into IT Management: Lessons Learned

Transitioning from a technical role to management was one of the biggest challenges of my career. As someone who graduated with a BSIT degree, I was comfortable with code and systems, but leading a team required an entirely different skill set.

The most important lesson? Communication is everything. Technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills help you grow. I had to learn to delegate, trust my team, and focus on the bigger picture rather than diving into every technical detail.

For those aspiring to move into leadership roles: start developing your people skills early, seek mentorship, and remember that being a great engineer doesn't automatically make you a great manager - but with dedication, you can excel at both!