InformationWeek

May 12, 1998

I am 28 years old and have six years' experience in IT, the last five of which I have spent working for an AS/400 software house. My role is systems integration services around our company's core product, in wide area networking and electronic commerce, and the associated project management. I hold a bachelor's degree in math and a recently-completed MCSE. My long-term ambition is IT management or consulting, and I'm wondering about the best way of getting there. I've already climbed to the top of the heap at my current employer and am ready for bigger challenges. I was considering a full-time MBA but feel uneasy about being out of the job market for 16 months. Should I look at continuing education instead? I want my next job to be technical leadership. What companies and positions s hould I be looking at?

There are no bad choices here. You already have a significant amount of experience and have obviously worked hard in the breadth of technologies you've exposed yourself to and the certifications you have accomplished. Any of the Big Six would gladly hire you. It's really a personal decision around the MBA. You can go with consulting and get the technical leadership you're looking for and do that now, then follow that with the MBA in a couple of years. Or, you can do the MBA now--I'm confident that the 16 months will not erode your marketability. As far as companies, tons of manufacturing companies as well as consumer companies have significant AS/400 presence, so these would be good targets.

More Questions:
How can I find the right niche for myself?

Should I go back to college for a technical bachelor's degree or go for an MBA?

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