IT job advice

I’m tired of feeling like an order taker for the business group I support. How do I get them to ask me what’s needed, not just tell me what to do and what reports to build?

The Information Technology (IT) groups we all know and love are, slowly but surely, being transformed into new and more business-oriented organizations, best characterized by the term Business Technology (BT). This transformation of IT from being technology driven toward becoming business driven has long been in the making, is truly taking hold, and will potentially have major implications on your future employment.

I'm considering going back to school for a degree in computer science. If I do, are there any IT jobs that can be done virtually from home?

The expression “triple threat” has historically been associated with two very diverse activities, the performing arts and football. My suggestion here is that you become a triple threat in IT, It can get you hired and/or promoted.

I’m a business analyst and have been working on my company’s order entry systems for the last five years. I like my job, I like the people, I like the company and I even like the system, but I feel trapped and want to make a change. What should I do?

I was speaking with a group of younger software and hardware IT professionals. They were a great crowd, extraordinarily knowledgeable in their specific areas of expertise, and just a joy to be with, but had a lot to learn.

It may sound premature to start thinking like a CIO this early in your career, but it will help you begin to notice things you would otherwise miss.

Dear Eric, I was just offered a promotion from programmer to IT manager. It feels wonderful to be asked, but I’m not sure I want to take it. Any thoughts on what I should do?

People early in their career say “If I work hard, one day I’ll be a THIS.” THIS could be a CIO, Systems Architect, Senior Programmer, or any other professional goal you desire. Then, one day, years later, you look up from your day-to-day activities and realize one of the following . . .