What Makes a Practitioner a Professional?

Do you consider yourself a professional? Consider this definition of what constitutes a professional that is used by most established professions and apply it to your own situation:

"A professional is a practitioner whose practice is based on a significant body of theory, has appropriate qualifications from a recognized body of peers, is committed to undergoing continuous professional development and consult best practices before undertaking work, and operates and is held to a code of conduct."

An IT professional is not just an effective knowledge worker - one needs to adhere to an industry accepted standard in terms of integrity, responsibility, accountability and public obligation.

Did you know that IT is one of only a handful of professions where best practices and professional standards are not recognized or employed consistently across the globe.

IT exists in a global world and similar to all other established professions it requires practitioners from different continents to have a common language and understanding of roles, and a standard means of measurement of capability and an assurance of quality.

What are the elements that define an IT professional?

Competence

• Demonstration of relevant, up-to-date skills and capabilities appropriate to a particular role with practical experience to complement theoretical knowledge.

Integrity, Responsibility, Accountability

• Commitment to a published code of conduct
• Obligations and responsibilities to the profession
• Professional accountability

Public Obligation

• Work in the best interest of society
• Use knowledge, skills and experience to apply IT diligently and carefully for the public good
• A responsibility to make balanced and thoughtful decisions and understand and be willing to explain the ramifications and consequences of those decisions and the impact they will have

The IP3 professional standard, the IP3Professional (IP3P) includes all elements found in the traditional professions:

• Skills based on theoretical knowledge
• Demonstration of competence
• A defined work autonomy
• Adherence to a professional code of conduct
• Self regulation through professional certification

Why should you consider achieving professional certification?

Leverage future career opportunities

• Grow your skills and competencies to achieve higher professional recognition
• Increase your ability to compete for recognition

Belong to a community of global professionals

• Networking with your peers across the globe
• Have the credential that has global recognition

Support the growth of your profession

• IT is one of only a handful professions where best practices and standards are not recognized or employed consistently across the globe.

How to get involved?

Join your local professional association

Some associations have already been IP3 Accredited and others are actively working towards IP3 recognition. If your association has been accredited, consider applying for professional membership. If you reside in a country that does not have an IP3 accredited association than apply for membership and actively assist the association in working towards IP3 accreditation.

Join the IT Professionalism Debate

Let your voice be heard.

Join the IT Professionalism Debate via the IP3 Youtube Channel Upload your video clip on what you believe constitutes professionalism in IT or submit your video question that will be answered by a panel of experts at the September 2010 IFIP World Computer Congress in Brisbane, Australia.