InformationWeek

May 26, 1998

I am a 52-year-old communication engineer working in a university environment for nine years. I have a masters degree in computer science. I also have C programming experience when I was previously employed by a PBX manufacturer. I am happy with my current job of technical support of a PBX and its add-on wireless phone system, but I don't think that the skills I've developed in my current job have good market value. In addition to PBX support, I am also interested in wireless voice, Internet publishing and window tools. Is it true that working on software development is not to my best interest? What is my best career strategy? Should I stay put, move to other department in the same company, or move to another company? What should I do to improve my marketability?

No, it 's not true that working on software development is not to your best interest. It may not be your most likely transition based on your skill set, but anything's possible. You've acquired a strong communications background over the last several years, and my first suggestion would be to ask yourself the question: Have I explored all of the opportunities in my internal company that could better my skills? You're more likely to leverage your capabilities internally, particularly when it comes to desiring new skills or looking to new technical areas. Organizations are more likely to cross-train internally than hire from the outside unless the need is so unique that it forces them to find outside talent. At the same time, however, I would begin to explore outside opportunities, because that will serve as a barometer for you as to how marketable your skills really are. If there were an immediate sugges tion to enforce, it would be the involvement in any way, shape, or form with the Internet and Internet tools. This experience would give you a competitive edge to fight off your contemporaries as well as less-seasoned IT professionals but more skill-specific professionals.

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