Q: I have an undergraduate degree in business administration with an emphasis on IS management. I like the technical side of IT, but would like to get some IT project management exp
erience. Given the way IT is increasingly intertwined with the goals of business, would it be better to pursue a graduate degree in IT or an MBA?
A: This is the classic dilemma-which matters more, schooling or experience? There's no question that adding an MBA to your resumé is valuable. The question is when to do it. Our experts were divided.
In your case, says Greg Selker, a VP and principal at Christian & Timbers, an IS recruiting firm in Cleveland, it's time to get to work. "An MBA is not going to give you the project management experience you need. Join the workforce now as a systems programmer, get experience, and then decide if you want to move into IS."
Keeping up with the latest technology is the reason that M. Victor Janulaitis, CEO of Positive Support Review, an IT management consulting firm in Santa Monica, Calif., would opt for work experience first. "As a rule," he says, "by the time a technology is part of a formal university program, it's already old hat." His so
lution: "Work for a larger IT organization for four to five years, then go for your MBA."
But Beverly Lieberman, president of Halbrecht Lieberman Associates Inc., an executive search firm in Stamford, Conn., would get the MBA first. "Business executives today are looking for strong technology people who are business-oriented and who have problem-solving savvy," she says. "These executives prefer MBAs."
Paul Daversa, president and CEO of Resource Systems Group, a technology executive search firm in Stamford, would opt for the MBA first, with an eye on the future. "I believe executives running companies over the next 15 to 20 years will shift to those who have been IT professionals," he says. "An MBA is the way to go. You have the foundation of technical experience; the MBA will broaden your appreciation of the operating mentality. An MBA is widely embraced by the financial and marketing community that often fears the `techie' stereotype."
Q: I've been a computer programmer f
or more than four years and pick up new technologies very quickly. At my current company, I seem to be the one everyone comes to with technical and programming questions. But becoming an expert in C++ or Java has little appeal for me; I'd rather know how to best implement and manage these technologies. How do I avoid being pigeonholed as the "tech-weenie"? My long-term goal is to own a software company.
A: There are two questions here, our experts say. The first is how to get away from being the corporate IS encyclopedia; the other is how to realize your long-term goal.
The answer to the first problem, says Daversa, is "stop raising your hand." Instead, he says, offer other resources that can provide answers to technical questions. Though it's hard not to want to be helpful, he adds, "the more you continue to answer questions, the more you'll invite the same. The next time you find yourself in this situation, advise people of corporate protocol for problem resolution."
Janulaitis sugge
sts offering to spend time with information seekers to better understand what the important issues are. "It may take longer to solve the problem," he notes, "but it will give you the experience on what the business really is."
To Selker, the short-term answer is to move into project management and away from development. But, he adds, "if your long-term goal is to own a software-development business, then leave your company and start your own. If you have an innovative idea, go for it." If you're ready to make the move, he notes, "we're at an all-time high with money raised by venture capital firms looking for good, innovative ideas."
In a career quandry? Send your questions to
iwcareers@cmp.com
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