InformationWeek

March 19, 1999

I am a 29-year-old senior software test engineer with more than 10 years of software development and software testing experience. I have a master's degree in MIS and a bachelor's in electrical engineering. I've been contracting for the last two years as a software test consultant. I have been compensated well, but I haven't received the job satisfaction in return. I have been pondering a return to corporate America as an employee of a major company. My criteria for returning include joining a company that will offer me a management-level opportunity, sponsorship for an executive MBA program, and compensation of at least $100,000 in salary. Is this realistic? Where can I get more information about companies that offer these type of opportunities?

Two out of the three are realistic. Assuming you've had management experience, the salary figure and the need for strong hands-on managers is still very much in demand so I have no reservations as to your ability to secure that at all. As for the executive MBA: It's highly unlikely. Companies usually reserve that for their high-potentials and very rarely ever offer that as part of a package. More so with the pace of change and turnover any company will be leery of doing so at the onset based on the time requirements as well as the financial outlay.

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