CompTIA Launches Future Leaders Community To Welcome IT Industry's Next Wave Of Innovators And Trendsetters

A new initiative that embraces the information technology (IT) industry’s multi-generational workforce and promotes greater collaboration among generations was launched recently by CompTIA, the IT industry association.

The CompTIA Futures Leaders Community brings together members of the IT industry who are age 35 and under, looking to grow their careers, connect with peers and make an impact on the industry.

“They’re our digital generation and we can learn a lot from them,” said Nancy Hammervik, senior vice president, industry relations, CompTIA.

At the same time, she noted, younger IT industry workers are eager to learn from their elders.

“They don’t think they know it all,” Hammervik said. “They want mentorship. They want to learn about the channel and the industry; about how to conduct themselves in a business environment; and how to put themselves on a fast track for career advancement.”

More than 50 people have already joined the community, the 10th such group established by CompTIA. These communities bring together like-minded individuals around a particular issue, market, technology or topic.

In the case of the Futures Leaders Community, its members have a strong desire to interact with the other member groups.

“We’re very anxious to get more involved, to network and collaboratively work on opportunities,” said Rory Jackson, senior network engineer, Business Continuity Technologies, Las Vegas. “We want to share with others the different characteristics of this next wave of IT leaders and how our generation consumes information and engages with technology.”

“The Future Leaders Community is a new breed of community for CompTIA – focused more on relationships than a particular mission or goal, because enhancing relationships is the mission and the goal,” said Ted Roller, vice president, channel development, LogMeIn. “We all want to learn, grow and contribute. This group will help foster better relationships, communications and idea sharing between the generations in the IT space.”

Some of the issues the Futures Leaders Community expects to explore include:

• How can companies in the channel prepare to best embrace and leverage a multi-generational workforce?
• How will this new generation prepare to take on leadership roles as Baby Boomers retire? By some estimates 40 percent of channel executives and business owners plan to retire within the next 10 years.
• What does this new demographic mean for IT consumption patterns amongst end users? How can companies in the channel best prepare to meet these emerging needs?
• How can the industry and CompTIA best serve the needs of this important and growing demographic?

To learn more or to get involved with the CompTIA Future Leaders Community, visit http://www.comptia.org/communities/future-leaders.

About CompTIA
CompTIA is the voice of the world’s IT industry. Its members are the companies at the forefront of innovation; and the professionals responsible for maximizing the benefits organizations receive from their investments in technology. CompTIA is dedicated to advancing industry growth through educational programs, market research, networking events, professional certifications and public policy advocacy. For more information, visit http://www.comptia.org/