InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
August 11, 1998
I have been a Regional IT manager for the past six years at a midsize engineering firm and spent
two years prior as a system administrator-beta tester at an oil company. I have a diverse
background in software and hardware development, design and implementation, networking and
telecommunications. My future career options with this company are very limited due to internal
politics. My career goal is to be a successful CIO at a Fortune 500 company. Should I work for a
Big Six consulting firm for a few years, then join a Fortune 500 company in a senior-level
position. Or, should I look for an executive-level position at another midsize company, then join
a Fortune 500 company?
Join one of the Big Six. The experience will throw you into multiple situations--some you will be
familiar with, others you won't. The multi-engagement experience, coupled with the multitude of
scenarios, is a wonderful launching pad for any Fortune 500 company. The advantage you'll have
is that being an experienced hire, your clients will embrace your prior battle scars, and when you
are ready to leave the consulting world, you'll be a consultant who has had ownership experience
in your prior life (a big sell) yet you'll have the allure of a company that really values hiring Big
Six talent (at least 80% of my existing client group likes to see Big Six players on an interview
slate.)
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