InformationWeek Career Counsel

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February 16, 1999

I am a 34-year-old Sybase database administrator and would like to know whether it's still a good idea in today's IT market climate to stay with an employer for a few years to gain experience? I have seen a lot of my friends job-hop--sometimes two or three jobs in a year--to get their salary up. But I wonder if they are doing themselves a disservice by not staying for at least a year or two to really make some contributions. Also I would like your views on the value of a computer science education, specifically a master's in computer science. I have a master's degree in electrical engineering from a well-known school in California and have worked in the IS/IT field for 10 years. I started pursuing my master's in computer science last year to provide me a theoretical foundation in software and computers. I personally think it's been helpful, but some of my friends disagree; they feel it's a waste of time and also feel that the degree is outdated.

Although in technology it's true that companies will try to lure "in-demand" talent by offering sizable compensation increases as well as significant signing bonuses, you are right: Long-term, it makes sense to stay with a company that also offers you significant professional growth as well as the opportunity to learn new technology. However, it's common in today's marketplace to see, on the average, 8-10 job changes throughout one's career. Making frequent changes merely to move forward financially will catch up. It's not so much changing; it's having qualified reasons to make a move. To answer your second question, listen to your conscience; long-term, your master's degree will undoubtedly open up more top-notch and appealing opportunities for you. Bottom line: Your commitment and dedication to continuing your education will make a difference; it will put you a step above the rest over the long term when it comes to making grounded career choices at the executive level.

More Questions:
Should I continue my education and work on getting a Ph.D or should I switch to a company that values IT as a strategic asset, and postpone the education for a while?