Personal Skills for Computing Professionals

In this paper, the issues regarding computing professionals and their personal skill required in industry is discussed. A study commissioned by a Spanish private university analyzed the social and organizational image of professional graduates in various fields. This study found that computing people tend to be considered technically competent and efficient, but were seen as outliers in the game of influence within their organization. They typically work in places close to data processing centers, far away from the luxurious offices of top management. In general, human resources specialists tend to believe that computing people must improve their interpersonal competence. In the area of human resources, competencies management has been the rage for the past several years. This approach highlights general personal skills as the key for success in any discipline of the professional world. Different studies have developed lists of what employers, or what people in charge of HR or the main areas of company management, think are the most adequate abilities for high performance in almost every area of business action. Words like teamwork, leadership, and creativity have been touted as desired talents. Relating these concepts to computing professionals is the challenge.