InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
May 12, 1998
I have a strong technical and educational background, yet in these times of low
unemployment
figures, I am finding it very difficult to get a job. I have my undergraduate degree in astronomy
and physics from one of the top 10 colleges in the nation, and my masters and Ph.D. in biomedical
engineering from an Ivy League university. Between college and grad school, I spent six years
working for a large defense contractor doing software and systems engineering. Now that I am
looking for work in industry, I find the biomedical firms don't care about a biomedical-related
education; they merely want hackers. Non-biomedical firms don't see how my background could
possibly provide me with expertise to suit their needs. I am looking for a
management-type
position and feel I can do a great job at it, but I just can't find the right niche. Any suggestions?
Technical
In today's market, companies are looking for a blend of both strong educational pedigree and
practical business experience. It appears to me that your emphasis has been selling you
academic achievements, and you may be viewed as more academia than practical business
experience. In addition, your defense experience is pretty specific; what you need to do is
downplay the emphasis you put on education and emphasize your ability to pick up technologies
quickly. My professional opinion is you may need to take one step backward to go two steps
forward; meaning that your focus is on a management role, and while you have significant
management experience, it doesn't conform to today's market and the experiences that
accompany a manager of information technology. Look for a senior busi
ness analyst's role or a
technical consultantýs role or latch on with a consulting firm in which you can gain new skills.
|
Should I go back to college for a technical bachelor's degree or go for an MBA?
|
Career Counsel Home
Send A Question To Career
Counsel
Career Counsel Archives
Send Us Your Feedback
Top of the Page
Home | Career | Financials | NewsFlash
Resource Centers | Shop Talk | Search
Featured Microsite
