Individual contributors are focused on performing a specialized skill or set of tasks. They do not manage people, but may have circumstances where they are called upon to lead. Individual contributors who want to progress toward management or technical leadership, or who want to explore an alternative career path, will find resources here. Managers and leaders looking for professional training may find relevant resources here as well.

Cornell Training

• Career Development (HR)
• Professional Development (HR)
• Certificate Programs (HR)
  Includes workshops for individual contributors and supervisors.
• LinkedIn Learning with Lynda.com content: Information, Login
• Skillsoft: Information, Login
• Cornell Emerging Leaders Program
• Employee Degree Program

Off-site Certifications

• New Horizons
  Located in Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, and Rochester, New Horizons offers certification programs in a variety of areas including Microsoft technical certifications and project management.
• Project Management Institute
  Practices and credentials that certify project management expertise.
• SANS Institute
  Certifications for IT security professionals.

• Avixa, The Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association
  Avixa is an international AV trade organization with certifications sanctioned by ANSI / ISO.  Certifications are available in general AV knowledge (CTS), AV design (CTS-D), and AV installation (CTS-I).  To achieve and maintain these certifications, Avixa provides on-line and on-site continuing education offerings.  These are complemented by manufacturer specific training.
  
  Cornell University maintains a Corporate Membership which covers members of Cornell staff in the role of AV Technology Support and Management and others that may have an interest in learning about audio-visual technologies.
  
  For information about eligibility or to be added to the Cornell roster contact:
  Andrew Page, CTS
  Assistant Director Video Engineering & Event Services, Cornell University

Cornell Emerging Leaders Program

The IT Emerging Leaders Program is geared toward individual contributors, technical leads, and front line managers who may or may not have direct reports. It focuses on foundational skills, such as leading without authority, building "presence," and communicating effectively. Participants also learn critical "toolbox" skills, such as meeting facilitation, process improvement, and coaching. Participation involves a one-year commitment and workshops are held on the Cornell campus.

Internet Education Options

• Enroll in MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) via the various consortia. Cornell has joined edX to provide courses, but you can take free MOOCs through any provider: edX, Coursera, Udacity.
• Listen to Ted Talks
• Learn through the Khan Academy.

Professional Networking

Participate in and get involved in EDUCAUSE, NERCOMP (NorthEast Regional Computing Program) and/or professional organizations associated with your field of expertise or the field you want to be in.

Resources

• Career Development and Succession Management
• Planning and Developing Your Cornell Career
• Individual Development Plan: A tool available as part of the Performance Management Process, specifically geared toward helping individuals articulate career goals and the experience and education required to attain them.

Articles

• How to prepare for the coming IT skills revolution
• IT Career Development of the Future, EDUCAUSE Review Online by Clare van den Blink, Director, Academic Technologies, Office of the CIO

Other Approaches to Career Development

Have a conversation with your supervisor about these and other work environment options that may be available to you.

• Network
  • Tend to your work relationships, develop new ones, learn about relationship management.
  • The DFA and CIT Diversity Committee has been conducting a networking pilot designed to align individuals with others outside of their typical work groups to enhance personal creativity and provide exposure to different ideas relative to current work assignments.  This “informal” program is not intended to assist with obtaining promotions or new work assignments.  An August assessment process of the pilot is expected and if the program is continued participation details will be included here.
• Identify a mentor and arrange ongoing interaction and conversation with him/her.
• Arrange to shadow a professional already in a position you are interested in pursuing.
• Rotate into a different IT job for a period of time. The Career Development Committee plans to pilot this option as part of the IT Career Framework.