InformationWeek
Defining The Business Value Of Technology
January 13, 1999
I am 28 and recently made a career change from mechanical engineering to IT. I landed a job as a
network technician for a small value-added reseller, but I stayed only six months because of the
company's instability. During that time I completed my MCSE and was promoted to senior
network technician. I now am employed as a network administrator on a military base. I have a
bachelor's degree in applied science and am halfway to a master's in computer science. I now
may have the opportunity to get a Microsoft consulting position with IBM, which I think would
mean a great deal to my career. However, I am concerned about leaving my current position so
quickly after having left my previous job within six months. Second, the position would mean
putting aside my pursuit of formal education (but, in return I would receive a lot of technical
training and of course, invaluable experience). You seem to place a lot of stock in an IS-focused
bachelor's degree. Eventually, I plan on pursuing an MBA. Do I need a bachelor's degree in IS or
would a master's degree in computer science be sufficient?
There are two schools of thought here: Hunker down and let the military finish paying for your
education or break away into the corporate sector. On one hand, breaking away from the military
and getting into the private sector is a good option, and history shows that for those in the
military, it's been more challenging to get into the corporate world. Bear in mind that this will
still be your biggest hurdle. But it's my belief that with the changing economic times and the
sheer demand for sound and solid technical experience, that as long as your skill set is strong in
an area that's in demand, it won't matter where you practice your expertise. With that in mind, I
lean toward the second school of thought: Finish your master's and continue to stay technical.
Your best opportunities to segue into a corporate role are not at the managerial level but at the
core technical level.
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Would I be missing a major opportunity if I pass on a job opportunity with a Big Six firm? |
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