What does an Information Technology Manager Do?

While many other IT positions require specializing in an advanced, technical skill, IT management is all about people skills. The IT Managers need enough technical knowledge to communicate effectively with the staff, but the main priorities will only include planning and directing the department's needs and upgrades and also managing a budget, negotiating with vendors, and communicating with business executives. 

Depending on the industry or department, the IT Manager could be overseeing computer systems analysts and software developers, information security analysts, computer support specialists, or all the above.

The exact purpose of an IT manager's responsibilities varies from one company to another. In some companies, the main focus is mainly on computer networks. At some other companies, the focus might be on the creation or upgradation of telephone systems and other electronic support systems connected with the company operation. Alongside helping to establish the overall structure of the company network, an IT manager should also oversee the routine maintenance of the system.

How to be a IT Manager: Steps to Follow

Decision Making

The students who wish to become Information Technology Manager should make up their mind right after 10+2. They should be very interested in human resources and information technology.

• The students who make up their mind at school level to take up IT related courses can successfully do so as the admissions are based on marks scored in class 12 and based on entrance exam. Doing this will give them plenty of time to prepare for the entrance exam.
• Also the students who have graduated in IT or related courses can change their career path given they get an opportunity to do so.

Subject Choices

Arts/Science stream taken in +2 will help students become Information Technology Manager. It is required for Information Technology Manager candidates to pass 10+2 with human resource subjects.

• The course BSc/BA degree in human resources, business administration or any other relevant field without much hassle.
• Students who have opted science in their +2 should opt for PCM as mandatory subjects. However computer science can be opted for better understanding of the subject.
• During engineering or bachelor courses, information science or computer science and its likes should be opted by the candidate else after graduation, the candidate shall take up certification courses in the same.

Entrance Exam Preparation

The candidates who want to become Information Technology Manager should hold a bachelor’s in arts degree for which entrance exams may or may not be held.

• However the candidates who wish to pursue engineering should take up entrance exams held on national levels such as IIT-JEE, BITSAT etc. or state level entrance exams like CET, ComedK etc.
• Preparations for these exams should start from class 11 itself as the syllabus covers both class 11 and 12.
• After graduation, the candidate shall have to prepare for aptitude and his analytical skills because most of the companies screen candidates based on aptitude exam.

Selecting Correct College

For a better tomorrow, one has to worry today. This means that the job opportunities will be directly affected by the college that attends. That is one of the reasons; one has to opt for the right college.

• The candidate shall first make a list of colleges they prefer to attend, post which they shall short-list the colleges.
• After this, they shall investigate the college, its placements, travelling to college daily, fees etc. All these will further short list the list of colleges the candidate prefers.
• Finally the candidate shall register and apply for the colleges he wishes to attend from the short-listed ones.

After Qualifying Exam

After the candidate qualifies in either of the entrance exams held, there are a few steps to follow in order to be allotted a seat for the course they wish to study.

• Generic process is that the candidate after results wait for the counseling round, where all the documents submitted will be verified and other such steps will be done by the conducting authorities.
• After this few colleges may conduct a personal interview or even a group discussion round to admit students. In these rounds, the candidate’s caliber and communication skills will be tested.
• After this, the candidate, if qualified, will be allotted a seat in the college after which the classes shall commence.

Types of Information Technology Managers

There are many types of Information Technology Managers who specialize in subjects like IT Finance Manager, IT service manager, IT configuration manager etc.

IT Financial Manager 

Financial management of Information Technology (IT) resources is a powerful process to improve service while lowering costs.IT Financial managers advise clients on appropriate business planning and help in decision making processes in regard to technology, to ensure that businesses are financially successful. This might involve advising on investments, savings, pensions or insurance products.As technologies become more complex, the financial management of IT investments has proven challenging.

IT Service Manager 

IT Service Managers, Manages information technology (IT) tasks and staff, establishes relationships with external clients, services computer systems and software, and maintains computer networks and user connectivity. They Develop relationships with external clients and organisations to assess their technology, support, and security needs, Provides client assessments, and pitches IT equipment and service packages during meetings or presentations.

IT Asset and Configuration Manager 

The Asset & Configuration Manager is accountable and in charge for defining and managing the Service Asset & Configuration Management policy and processes ensuring integration with Incident, Problem, Change and Release Management. This role will ensure IT management to exercise control of IT configuration items.

Senior Information Technology Manager 

The Senior IT Manager is in charge of the supply of accurate and timely technology resource management advice and consultancy services to managers and staff. The Senior Human Resource Consultant will take a lead role within the development of human resource policy, and undertake human resource projects.

How to Become an Information Technology Manager in India?

To become an Information Technology Manager in India, one has to develop an early interest in Technology and IT in school days itself. Participating in school level computer quizzes etc. can be very helpful.

The following can be followed by an aspirant if he/she wants to become a Information Technology Manager in India.

School Level Preparation

The candidate can follow the below steps during the school level to prepare themselves to become a Information Technology Manager after school .

• The candidate should have passed 10+2 with at least 50% marks preferably in PCM subjects with Computer Science or human resource subjects.
• The student should be interested in computer science or Information science subjects. The student should have some knowledge about coding etc and should be interested in the same.
• The student should have a strong inclination towards human resources and other relevant subjects. The students should clear 12th exams with the eligible marks and exceed in the entrance exams (if any).

How to become an Information Technology Manager after 12th?

The candidate must follow the below steps after the 12th standard to prepare themselves to become a Information Technology Manager.

UG Preparation

• The candidate should hold a bachelor’s degree in human resources, computer science, information science, information technology or its likes. The candidate can also have an engineering degree in the same subjects.
• The candidate should have at least 50% marks from a recognized university.
• The candidates should have passed any of the various entrance exams held for engineering courses and should have taken up Computer Science, Information Science, Information Technology and its likes as their stream of study.
• After doing so, the candidate should be placed in a company for the job role of IT Manager.

PG Preparation

• There is no need for a PG degree in order to be an Information Technology Manager.
• However if one wishes to pursue higher education before working as an IT manager, they can do so.
• The candidate after engineering should again qualify in either of the entrance exams held. Then they should again choose the stream related to Information Technology such as CS, IS etc.

How to become an Information Technology Manager Abroad?

Many colleges offer Information Technology Manager courses. Those who are interested in studying these courses online and look to get placed there should go ahead with it.

Information Technology Manager in United Kingdom

In the UK, many colleges offer the course and the Top colleges are mentioned below. The UK is one of the most desired destinations for studying.

Educational Requirements

• The candidate should have passed class 10+2 from a recognised board in India and should have scored at least 50% marks.
• The candidate should have a valid IELTS score above 5 and/or a PTE score.
• The IELTS score should at least be 6 whereas the PTE score should be a minimum of 50.

Other Requirements

• Strong financial background, or arrangement of student education loans.
• VISA should be approved beforehand.
• Internship and other such opportunities must be fully utilized.

Top Colleges

Courses Available

The courses available in the United Kingdom related to Information technology are: BSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), MSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), BSc Computer Networking (Hons), BEng Computer Science, MSc Computer Science, MPhil Computing and Information Science, MSc Cyber Security, MEng Computer Science, MSc Data Science and many more.

Information Technology Manager in USA

The USA is also one of the most desired places to study and live, Hence candidates might think of studying in the USA.

Educational Requirements

• The candidate should have passed class 10+2 from a recognised board in India and should have scored at least 50% marks.
• The candidate should have a valid SAT, TOEFL or PTE scores.
• The TOEFL scores are expected to be above 70 and IELETS score are required to be more than 5.5.

Other Requirements

• Strong financial background, or arrangement of student education loans.
• VISA should be approved beforehand.
• Internship and other such opportunities must be fully utilized.

Top College

Courses Available

The courses available in the United States of America related to Information technology are: BSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), MSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), BSc Computer Networking (Hons), BEng Computer Science, MSc Computer Science, MPhil Computing and Information Science, Graduate Pathway – Data Science, International year 1 in computer science and many more.

Information Technology Manager in Canada

Educational Requirement

• The candidate should have passed class 10+2 from a recognised board and should have scored at least 50% marks.
• The candidate should have a valid IELTS score.
• Since most of the colleges accept IELTS scores, it is recommended to have a good score of about 6 or more.

Other Requirements

• Strong financial background, or arrangement of student education loans.
• VISA should be approved beforehand.
• Internship and other such opportunities must be fully utilized.

Top College

Course Available

The courses available in the Canada related to Information technology are: BSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), MSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), BSc Computer Networking (Hons), BEng Computer Science, BSc Data Science, BA Information Technology, BTech Informatics and Security (Hons), Bachelor of computing in Fundamental Computation and many more.

Information Technology Manager in Australia

Admission Process

• The candidate should have passed class 10+2 from a recognised board and should have scored at least 50% marks.
• The candidate should have a valid TOEFL or PTE score.
• TOEFL scores are required to be more than 60 to land in a good college.

Other Requirements

• Strong financial background, or arrangement of student education loans.
• VISA should be approved beforehand.
• Internship and other such opportunities must be fully utilized.

Top College

Course Available

The courses available in the Australia related to Information technology are: BSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), MSc Artificial Intelligence (Hons), BSc Computer Networking (Hons), BEng Computer Science,BA Information Technology, BTech Informatics and Security (Hons), Bachelor of computing in Fundamental Computation and many more.

Benefits of Career as Information Technology Manager

Salary

• The salary offered to Information Technology Manager in India ranges from INR 5 – 12 lacs per annum. However, if one gains enough experience and starts their own venture in this field, they can earn quite a lot.
• Senior experienced IT Managers are paid hefty salary ranging between INR 12 – 24 LPA. This is achieved with time and experience.
• The Salary provided to IT Managers abroad is also very attractive, hence attracting a lot of Indians annually.

Job Security

• The job is secure although there is much competition. If you start working as a Information Technology Manager there is a good chance that you will have job security through-out your career.
• Becoming head of the IT department in a company ensures a job throughout the career of an IT Manager.
• Gaining enough experience also enables one to change these companies for better salary. All this with the option of having a secure job.

Positive Impact of Career

• Information Technology Manager helps companies and other firms stay up to date with the technology in use. They manage the company’s technology and those who are passionate about IT will definitely be affected positively by the job.
• IT Manager is considered to be one of the top designations in a company, hence they will be highly reputed and will have a lot of subordinates working under them which is a positive thing.

Unique Experience

• Managing technology and meeting the everyday requirement is a unique experience on its own. Matching the new technology and meeting the technological demands of the company is a unique experience.
• When an IT Manager heads the Technological department of a company, they experience a very unique experience. This is because not everybody can reach the top positions in a firm or company. Reaching such a position will have many unique challenges, difficulties, problems etc, which the person would have overcome.

Skills Required for Information Technology Manager

• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple things at once.
• Judgment and Decision Making
• Professional demeanor
• Strong communication skills
• Great listening abilities

Salary of Information Technology Manager

IT Managers earn a decent salary during the initial period of employment. This is likely to get better with experience. 

Average Annual salary

The average salary is calculated based on reported salaries of respondents. The average salary definition is to add the salaries in the sample together, then divide by the number of respondents. The average salary comes up to INR 5 lacs per annum. The average salary given in government and private organizations are given below.

Specialisation Wise Salary

Job specialization is particularly useful to help you narrow the interests into a specific career path that can offer job stability. A very task-oriented employee who enjoys being deeply knowledgeable in one or two areas is required for specialization There are a few specialisations in IT Managers such as IT Financial Manager, IT Consulting Manager, IT Service manager. The salary range for all these are pretty close and do not vary drastically. The salary increases with the increase in the degree of specialisation one holds.

Gender Wise Salary

According to the latest World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report 2018, India ranked 108th out of 149 countries on the gender gap index.Even though there is no biased choice when it comes to recruiting an IT Manager for a company, yet there is a slight salary difference amongst the genders. Male IT Managers are always paid more than an Female IT Manager just like any other industry.

Experience Wise

The salary of any experienced or senior level officer or employee is obviously more than that of a starter or a junior. This is because of the level of expertise and knowledge an experienced person brings into the job. An entry level IT Manager earns a comparatively low salary of about INR 3LPA whereas an experienced IT Head at a very big firm will earn a huge salary. However on an average the IT Manager’s salary is more than the national average salary in India.

After the IT Manager Course

Higher Education: After finishing an bachelor degree in the field of information technology or computer science and its likes, one might go ahead and pursue a career in the field of IT and after some experience, they might get selected for the role of IT Manger. However one can also do masters in the same subjects and broaden their knowledge and enhance their employability.

Start Job: The aspirants can start their career by doing Job but it has to be noted that you can’t become an IT Manager right after passing out of college, however they can increase their chance of becoming one by doing internships, being competent, gaining experience etc.