How Do I Become a Change Architect?

A change architect is an information technology (IT) professional who uses software and telecommunication devices to improve the overall performance of an organization. Change architects often work directly with managers and executives to learn about a company's needs and to translate those needs into effective IT systems. To become a change architect, you should first earn degrees in concentrations such as computer science, computer engineering, and information systems. Most professionals in this field also have graduate degrees.

To become a change architect, it is important that you be well versed in the industry in which you would like to work. For instance, if you are interested in designing IT systems for financial firms and institutions, you should take some courses in management and finance. You might even want to earn a degree in information systems with a specialization in financial software or business systems. Likewise, an individual who is interested in designing medical systems might want to take courses in health administration.

While you are studying for your degrees, you can benefit from getting as much professional experience as possible. To become a change architect, you should engage in internships. These often are unpaid positions that your academic program organizes with local organizations. Most students do receive academic credit for their internships. If you do not have internship opportunities at your school, consider taking a part time or summer job as an assistant to an IT professional.

To become a change architect, you need to be a well established IT professional with a number of impressive credentials. You might want to publish articles in trade publications and related academic journals. Some high level IT architects write books about practices and principles.

You also can benefit from joining professional organizations and attending workshops, seminars, and trade shows. These opportunities are great for learning about new products. They also are wonderful networking opportunities. By communicating with like-minded professionals, you can learn about job openings.

To become a change architect, it often is essential to join an IT firm or to start your own practice. To join a firm, you should prepare a resume that highlights all relevant skills and experiences. Include awards, degrees, certifications, and publications.

Individuals who would like to have their own change architect practices should choose to specialize in niche markets. For example, if your background is in financial systems, you should advertise yourself as an expert in designing financial IT systems. Design a website that lists your services and which includes testimonials and recommendations from professionals whom you have assisted in the past.