InformationWeek

January 5, 1999

I am a 35-year-old Unix systems administrator for a large manufacturer of satellite broadcasting and encryption equipment. I want to move into management before being considered too old. I have eight years experience with Sun and HP servers, and two as a Sybase DBA. I finished my bachelor's degree in computer science at night, and am now in a master's program. When that is completed, I plan to go for an MBA. I will be almost 40 when I have completed my degrees, but hope that I can gain visibility and contacts at my job. How can I make every move count at work, improve my presentation skills, and avoid poor judgment?

I've always been a big fan of continuing education and increasing your knowledge base, but the MBA will offer little added value when it comes down to managerial skills, exposure, and making the right moves about your career. What you should be doing already is making management aware of your continued educational advancements, your ability, and your willingness to take on more responsibility in the areas of project management and project leadership. More than anything else, identify a corporate mentor in the areas of leadership who can guide you in the right direction of your career. What you'll find is that the experience base alone will outweigh the need for an MBA, and you'll be judged on what you've done, not what someone thinks you can do.

More Questions:
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