Where Do I Go From Here?Monday, July 10, 2006I have been in Information Technology (IT) management since 1990. In the IT world, most careers are born in the trenches, wiring network cable, configuring PCs, learning to write good software. Whether you end up a programmer or a network guru, eventually you reach a point in your career where you ask yourself what is next. Where do you go? Do you move into management? Do you become a hot-shot architect? My experience has been that many software developers remain developers. They become experts in certain technologies. Often they will become consultants or start their own business. They know that anything short of working with the technology is not going to keep the passion alive. Some leave the profession and sell real estate or move into business roles. Some get their MBAs and become CIOs (Chief Information Officer) or CTOs (Chief Technology Officer). Business is what keeps them fired up. Then there are developers or network engineers that do not want to program or tweak networks for the rest of their career. They naturally look towards becoming a manager. The management track has more opportunities for advancemnt. You can become a Director, Vice President, Senior Vice President, etc. When someone asks me to give them advice about their careers beyond the hands-on development world, I often ask how far they are willing to go. In management, the higher up the corporate ladder you climb, the greater the responsibility. With more corporate responsibility comes greater personal sacrifice. If you have a family, you have to consider your options very carefully. A VP title could cost you baseball games and evenings at the pool with your family. Are you ready to sacrifice personal for professional? After someone talks to me about their future, I can't help but wonder if I have just muddied the water even more for them. I dump on their lap a set of new things to consider. I speak from experience. I wish someone would have told me what the cost might be as I assumed more and more responsibility. No matter what field, if you are looking for the next opportunity for advancement, consider the cost versus benefit. You might find that the promotion you are about to take is not such a good return on investment. posted at 7/10/2006 08:00:00 PM |
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Copyright © 2006 Beat Your Own Drum
1 Comments:
Hi Eric,
I've been reading your blog on and off for a few months now... I've come across some good things on it. I have a similar blog (although it's not IT related) so I hear alot of what you're saying.
Keep it up!
Gail/Pied Piper
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