Sixteenth International Conference on Technology, Knowledge & Society

Abstract

In the rapidly changing world of technology, many businesses purport that agility is critical for business success. Thus, IT professionals must transform from working solely as a service provider in isolation to a culturally competent business partner. “Top-performing IT organizations are more than three times as likely to be perceived as partners, capable of presenting ideas and recommendations for solving business problems and capitalizing on opportunities” (The Hackett Group, 2018). The need for IT organizations to transform to culturally competent business partners creates an even greater need for IT training curricula to prepare prospective talent with the essential skills to build an agile IT workforce. Preparing prospective IT professionals with only tech skills maintains the status-quo. Thus, IT curriculum developers and instructors must offer learning opportunities that challenge students in the areas of communication, diversity, cultural competence, and inclusion. When students demonstrate competencies in the aforementioned areas, it is our position that students will transfer these competencies into the IT workplace. Hence, IT professionals will feel empowered to perform their best work. “Employees are more productive when they feel they belong, are heard, and are able to be their authentic self at work. 73% of employees report they perform their best work when they feel they belong at their company” (Salesforce (2017). This workshop session will offer interactive instructional strategies and tips for IT professionals to use within the workplace or classroom to build a transformed IT workforce embracing a myriad of experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints.