Technical Competence Ensures a Successful Career
It is generally agreed today that employees have to demonstrate different kinds of competencies in their professional life. However, the question is whether in particular technical competence ensures a successful career. In my view, technical competence is beneficial but doesn’t ensure a prosperous career for the following reasons.
First, I have to admit that technical competence is important because of the complex tasks in today’s businesses. There are a lot of areas in modern companies in which comprehensive knowledge and technical competence is required to solve problems in an appropriate time and quality. For instance, tasks that relate to Information technology like implementing an Enterprise Resource Planning System requires extensive technical competencies. Employees have to be familiar with the software system as well as with the IT strategy of the company. There are also many less widespread tasks that require technical competence. For example, nearly any employee needs competencies in software like Microsoft Office. This software package has become a standard in today’s business world and most companies require that applicants have at least basic knowledge in such software packages. This leads me to the belief that technical competence is indeed important for a successful career. There are also many other fields beside information technology that require technical competence. To illustrate this point one need only refer to accountants. Accountants need knowledge in different laws like tax law and various other financial laws. They also need to be familiar with handling payroll activities as well as managing records of accounts receivable and accounts payable. This also shows that technical competence seems to be an important feature.
Anyway, the question whether or not technical competence ensures a successful career needs to be addressed. To my mind, technical competence is important but it doesn’t guarantee success in a professional