InformationWeek

June 9, 1998

I am 39 and attempting to change careers. I was a well-educated but very bored attorney. I found a job with a software company as an on-site project manager overseeing the implementation of a LAN/WAN and training end users in highly specialized legal software. The company trained me in Solaris to help administer the network server. I greatly enjoyed running the network. I now work for a hardware vendor configuring systems, mostly on paper, before they are shipped. I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in information science, including CNE and MSCE certifications at an accredited trade school. In the past, you have told people in similar situations to pursue a B.S. in computer programming rather than network certifications. Am I barking up the wrong tree? Will I need yet another degree to advance in the field? With my background what job should I pursue in the field?

My advice has been that if the choices are certification or a formal bachelor's degree, nine out of 10 times, I will recommend the degree route. It denotes a long-term commitment and the shelf life certainly is a lot longer than a certification that may no longer be applicable or marketable: i.e.: Novell vs. NT. It appears to me that you're doing both, which is terrific. Your point regarding my prior recommendations really have to do with the law of averages and desire. In the infrastructure/networking world, your opportunities become a bit narrower at the top. In most companies, there's usually only one director of network infrastructure. I think the exposure to applications and software integration enhances your career mobility across the IT enterprise. So it really comes down to what you enjoy--and there are terrific opportunities in the path that you're taking. You barked up the wrong tree once before; go with what makes you passionate.

More Questions:
How can I start my career in IT?

I would like to move into the career field, but I have no experience. What should I do?

Career Counsel Home

Send A Question To Career Counsel

Career Counsel Archives

Send Us Your Feedback

Top of the Page