InformationWeek

October 6, 1998

I'm a project leader/systems analyst for a major company. I have 12 years of experience working in IT. I have been working for this company for five years now. My salary is in the mid $70s. I'm sometimes offered the chance to move to the management side within the company, but since I don't have a degree, I'm afraid that I may not make it. I really don't like dealing with personnel issues. On the other hand, management may be the only way to advance financially. I'm 30 years old. Would you recommend that I start looking at getting a degree of some sort or should I stay in the technical side? How can I advance financially while staying technical? I'm a CNE and lately have been contemplating going for MSCE certification.

The only way you're going to advance financially while staying technical is by moving into a consulting capacity, either through a third-party consulting firm or directly. That may be a viable option for you. You're just biding time and the lack of a formal degree will catch up to you in the next three to five years. Your options today are consulting, working for a startup, and/or limiting yourself to those companies that will not restrict you because of the lack of a degree. You would fare far better with some type of formal education that would afford you the opportunity to move into technical management without people evaluating you based on your lack of education.

More Questions:
What jobs are available for a college graduate in IS management who has no experience in the technology field?

I'm in the military. What are my chances of landing a decent-paying IT job in the civilian world without any formal certifications or education?