IT Academy
IT Academy
The IT Academy offers Harvard IT staff the opportunity to participate in instructor-led courses, self-paced activities, and the Tech Talk series that will deepen subject matter expertise and broaden knowledge of Harvard's unique technology landscape.
The IT Academy is built on the model of the "T-shaped professional,” who are characterized by their ability to collaborate and innovate across disciplines (the horizontal), and their deep technical expertise (the vertical). These professionals are in high demand in today’s workforce.
IT Academy courses
The horizontal of the T, Essential skills, represents the skills identified by the Harvard IT community and approved by the CIO Council as essential for all Harvard IT staff.
The vertical of the T, IT career skills, represents the technical skills specific to each Harvard IT job family. We have cultivated training content along with resources to help you apply new skills, recommended by Harvard IT staff from across the university.
The IT Academy offers courses in essential (the horizontal) and technical (the vertical) skills at 2 levels.
- Level 1 (Learn) courses combine the definition of a common language at Harvard, an introduction of tools and techniques needed to successfully implement the new skill, and a foundational overview of key concepts.
- Level 2 (Apply) courses provide you with the opportunity to receive additional resources and support from both peers and Harvard subject matter experts to apply the foundational skills learned in Level 1 to your role and work situations.
The forum is open to all Harvard staff, faculty, and researchers who support, have responsibility for, or are interested in technology-related topics and use cases on campus. The forum is held virtually over Zoom and meets quarterly for one and a half hours.
Become an IT Academy facilitator
Looking for some professional development and to enhance your career? Become an IT Academy Facilitator!
As an IT Academy facilitator, you will:
- Facilitate IT Academy created courses with a co-facilitator (class duration varies from 3 – 9 hours, depending on class you facilitate)
- Participants are IT staff across Harvard
- Build a network of IT Professionals across all schools and units at Harvard
- Be viewed as an expert in your subject matter by your peers
- Have the opportunity to network with the CIO Council and other senior leadership
- Gain valuable facilitation and public speaking skills and training
- Be an integral contributor to an important Harvard-wide initiative
- Contribute to enhancing the IT Academy’s course offerings
- Have fun!
What are the requirements?
- Participate in a train the trainer session to get certified (these sessions are 1 – 3 full days depending on the certification requirements. Please email the IT Academy for specifics)
- Commit to facilitating 1-2 classes per quarter. The IT Academy will work with you and your availability to schedule these classes with a co-facilitator to share the course content. Our classes range from one ½ day to two full days
- Meet with your co-facilitator in advance of your class for 1-2 hours to prepare and practice
- Participate in quarterly Facilitator Forum with other IT Academy facilitators to share your feedback and help us enhance the IT Academy facilitator experience
- Approval from your manager
- Contribute to course enhancements (optional, but appreciated)
- Be open to feedback and have a Service Mindset
Tech Talks series
Launched in February 2024, the Tech Talks series is a space for Harvard staff to share and learn about Harvard's use of AI technology and how they can incorporate these use cases into practice. With AI Technology rapidly changing and advancing, the Tech Talks create more frequent learning opportunities to stay current as the landscape evolves.
Upcoming Tech Talks
New Tech Talks to be scheduled soon!