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Head of IT, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
Jas Sahota, IT for SLMS, Information Service Division.
My journey at UCL started in June 2002 after graduating university. My first job was IT Support Officer at the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, where I worked at the Institute for a number of years. This role allowed me to build my skill set and map the career path I am following today.
My first management role was a secondment to the role of IT Service Manager for the Eastman Dental and Ear Institutes. This secondment allowed me to develop my management skills. I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in this role and was fortunate that a permanent position arose whilst I was in the post. As a result, in December 2013 I secured the role of IT Service Manager for the Royal Free Campus.
In January 2018, I was seconded into the role of Head of IT for the Faculty Population Health Sciences. The experience and skills I gained in this secondment helped me secure the permanent role of Head of IT for the Faculty of Medical Sciences in November of that year.
One of the most important factors, that has allowed me to deliver and progress in my roles at UCL, is the ability to build and maintain a strong network (internal and external). The opportunity for knowledge exchange is invaluable, both for customers and the individual. Networking allows you to gain new insights that you may not have otherwise thought of. Similarly, offering helpful ideas to a contact is an excellent way to build your reputation as an innovative thinker.
As long as you have a strong network of professional connections, you can be confident that someone within your sphere will be able to answer even your toughest questions. If there’s no definitive answer, you will have a strong sounding board to bounce ideas off of, as well as the ability to put into action step-by-step plans to tackle more challenging problems.
By continually putting yourself out there, meeting new people, you are effectively stepping outside of your comfort zone; building invaluable social skills and a level of self-confidence that you can take with you anywhere. The more you network, the more you will grow and learn how to make lasting connections.
My career at UCL to date demonstrates there are opportunities and paths to develop and progress individual careers across the university. During my time at UCL I have been fortunate enough to have had supportive and encouraging managers and peers. The development conversations I have had with my managers identified the continuous professional development and training needed to excel in my current role and prepare for future roles.
My advice to others is to ensure that you are in a position to take advantage of these. Utilise the appraisal process to map your career path this will identify gaps in experience and skills to build on; apply for acting up and secondment opportunities if they align with your career aspirations.
Do not hesitate to reach out to experienced peers. Discussing common challenges and opportunities opens the door to valuable suggestions and guidance. Offering assistance to your contacts also sets a strong foundation for receiving support in return when you need it.
Finally, I would encourage colleagues to use the wealth of online resources, seminars and networks available to connect with your customer base. It is important not to lose sight of UCL’s and your department’s vision, this ensures that we are adaptable to change and continually develop our skills to support our customers.
All my roles have given me great job satisfaction and I look forward to the next chapter.