Ask for Advice
The owner of a small marketing company once told me the most noticed/desirable words for people to hear are "you" and "free." One strokes our pride, and the other strikes a pragmatic financial chord.
Don't be afraid to ask for what you want, but just as important is the ability to ask for advice. When you approach an IT manager, ask him what you might do to break into the field. More specifically, ask him how you can break into his department.
Let the IT manager know up front that you are asking for his advice. More importantly, take it. If this person provides you with a profile of what he would like to see in an employee, do what you can to model that profile. Asking advice pays dividends in a few ways:
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It serves notice that you are serious about your career You want to know from the top how to succeed in this endeavor. From this perspective, it paints good public relations. As a business owner, I was always impressed when someone would approach me for advice on my line of work. I considered it a compliment and considered the individual wise for seeking it.
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You'll probably receive some good advice Don't overlook this. If you are asking advice just to paint a good picture, but your attitude is one of disdain for the actual advice received, it will show up somewhere else. Most people in management have actually produced to get where they are. Their advice is valuable and should be heeded.
Don't make the mistake of assuming that the managerial tasks are simpler than the hands-on technology work. I'm here to tell you that the opposite is true. You should aspire to learn from effective managers, even if you believe your technical skills far surpass theirs.