An L1 Solution to Accelerating Your Career in the IT Infra Domain
Contribute to this subject:- đ§Write to us at: info@skillcitypro.com đCall us at: 04924246001
Curious about SaaS sales strategies? Check out this blog on becoming a successful Business Development Executive-Mastering the Role of a Business Development Executive (BDE) in SaaS Sales
A Fictional First Person Account, co-written and compiled by AI and Skill City Professional Development Pvt. Ltd.
âWhy did it take me 6 years to get to a professional position when it couldâve happened in half that time?â
As an IT Infra and Admin Support professional with six years of experience, looking back at the start of my career, I canât help but reflect on the journey that led me to where I am today. Coming from a Tier 2 city, I quickly realized that the skills I honed in collegeâprimarily technicalâwerenât enough to set me apart in the highly competitive IT infrastructure outsourcing industry. The one thing that I would have done differently, if given the chance, is not just focus on technical know-how but also on developing strong communication skills, especially in English.
Southern New Hampshire University. (n.d.). Communication in IT: Why Soft Skills Matter. Retrieved from https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/stem/communication-in-it
The Communication Barrier: A Real Hurdle in Tier 2/3 Cities
Growing up in a smaller city, English wasnât the dominant language. While I had decent reading and writing skills, speaking fluently was an entirely different matter. When I first entered the workforce, I was shocked by how often communication became the bottleneck in my career progression. I could troubleshoot servers, handle L1 to L3 support tasks, and manage databases with confidence, but the inability to express myself clearly and confidently in English often left me feeling inadequate during meetings, client calls, and especially during interviews. The pressure to communicate fluently with internal and external clients was overwhelming, and I wasnât ready for it.
This is a struggle faced by many students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. According to a study by English Edge (https://www.englishedge.in), 60% of students in smaller cities face difficulties articulating themselves in English during job interviews. For us, English wasnât the language of instructionâit was a secondary skill we barely had the chance to master in real-life contexts. Most of our exposure came from grammar-based learning, which doesnât equip you with the fluency needed to thrive in a global professional environment.
The Pedagogy to Andragogy Shift: The âHowâ in How to Learn
If I could go back to my college days, I would insist on one thing: focusing more on speaking practice in real-world business contexts. At that time, colleges followed a traditional pedagogical approach: teaching facts and figures, stressing grammar rules. While this approach is beneficial in some ways, it wasnât enough to prepare me for the communication demands of the IT infra industry. When I started my job, I realized how important it was not just to *know* the language, but to *use* it fluidly and confidently in everyday work scenarios.
This is where the andragogical approach to learning would have helped me tremendously. Andragogy, which focuses on learning through real-world practice, is the perfect model for adults and young professionals. The main takeaway from andragogy is the importance of contextual speaking practice, business writing, and peer-based learning. These skills are what I wish I had cultivated earlier in my career.
Contextual Speaking Practice
Rather than focusing only on classroom exercises, I would have participated in practical business scenario roleplaysâsimulating meetings, customer calls, and troubleshooting discussions. This would have helped me improve my confidence and articulation in professional contexts, preparing me for the intense client-facing interactions that define my job today.
Business Writing Skills
Writing emails, reporting technical issues, and providing project updates are integral parts of my daily responsibilities. If I had spent more time practicing writing within these business contexts, I would have been much more confident when participating in Email conversations, whether internal or external. The importance of efficient writing wasnât very obvious to me back then.
Instructure. (n.d.). What is Andragogy: The Adult Learning Theory? Retrieved from https://www.instructure.com/resources/blog/what-andragogy-adult-learning-theory
Overcoming Inhibition Through Practice
Initially, even speaking in front of a mirror made me nervous, let alone speaking on a video call in front of senior managers. I wish I had had more exposure to camera-based learning and continuous feedback in college. The ability to record myself, have a closed group of co-learners watch the playback, and critique my language and delivery would have been a game-changer in boosting my confidence.
In retrospect, I see that these are the skills that colleges and learning environments should prioritize. By integrating Group Learning Experience Platforms (GLxP) like the one provided by Skill City Professional Development Pvt. Ltd. (http://www.skillcitypro.com), colleges could help students overcome communication inhibition much earlier. In a GLxP environment, students can interact with peers, receive feedback, and practice consistently in a safe, supportive setting, ensuring they are ready to handle any business communication challenge in their professional careers.
The Role of GLxP in Communication Mastery
GLxP tools, as seen with Skill Cityâs approach, are an ideal solution for overcoming these challenges. Unlike traditional pedagogical methods, these platforms focus on group practice and continuous interactionâboth essential for building language fluency and confidence in professional communication. The tool’s curated content ensures that learners not only practice speaking but also get critical feedback from peers, which accelerates learning. Itâs the kind of platform that would have dramatically improved my early communication skills and set me up for success much sooner.
What I Would Tell My Younger Self: A Few Career Tips
1. Donât Fear Making Mistakes while Speaking in English. Fear that scenario, where you are expected to manage interactions at work, and you arenât able to deliver at that time. That is scarier than the little nervousness you are feeling right now. âThe principle is to not fear the immediate action but to fear the consequences of not taking that immediate actionâ.
Technical skills are important, but effective communicationâespecially in Englishâis what will set you apart in the job market. Practice speaking regularly, engage in real-world scenarios, and embrace the feedback you receive.
2. Master Efficient and To-the-point Writing for Business: Business writing isnât just about grammar; itâs about clarity, professionalism, and delivering the right message. Spend time writing in contexts that matterâemails, reports, and presentations.
3. Embrace Technology for Learning: Platforms like GLxP are game-changers. Practice regularly, interact with peers, and take advantage of modern tools designed to build communication skills. Itâs much easier to tackle professional communication with consistent practice and feedback.
4. Overcome Inhibition Early: If I had used tools that allowed me to practice speaking without fear of judgment, I would have overcome my inhibition much earlier. Thereâs no substitute for real-world practice, so start early and stick with it. Many facilitators at skill city pro recommend selfie-video uploads on their GLxP as a method of ridding yourself of shyness and that feeling of being too self-conscious.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Tier 2/3 Students
Looking back at my career, I realize that the barriers I facedâprimarily around English communicationâwere not unique to me. Many students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities struggle with the same challenges. However, with the right approach to learning, especially with a focus on andragogy, we can overcome these barriers. By focusing on contextual speaking, business writing, and utilizing GLxP tools, students can gain the confidence and fluency they need to succeed in the IT infra industry.
The demand for skilled IT professionals is growing every day, and those who invest in improving both their technical and communication skills will be the ones who thrive. The sooner we adopt a holistic approach to learningâcombining technical expertise with strong communication skills: The faster we bridge this gap, the sooner we can take advantage of opportunities this booming sector has to offer.
#GLxP #SkillCityPro #LevelUp #CareerAdvancement