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IT career success and advice: An interview with Marilyn Smith

Posted April 22, 2013 - 4:23 pm

Former MIT CIO Marilyn Smith recently said in an interview that to enhance your IT career, you should 'exit and then return to IT.' Her reasoning: 'Your time working outside of IT will enhance your perspective on how to best serve your internal clients and also position you to be a business partner, rather than a service provider to other business areas.
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9 great advantages of technical certifications

Posted March 17, 2013 - 2:44 pm

I love being technical and at least for the foreseeable future I would like to stay that way. Is it worth the time and money to get a technical certification? Yes it is and this is why.
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Selecting the best programming language; A.K.A less filling, taste great.

Posted March 12, 2013 - 12:38 pm

When asking people why they like one programming language over another, various memorable TV commercials and great classic songs, comes to mind.
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Saying “It’s not what I do” can get you unemployed

Posted March 4, 2013 - 5:52 pm

In today’s technical and business environment, there is a huge advantage of being an out-of-the-box thinker and look at your IT organization holistically, rather than through the lens of your specific technical specialty or current job.
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15 great IT telecommuting jobs

Posted January 14, 2013 - 10:32 am

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?
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Be an IT triple threat

Posted December 18, 2012 - 8:47 am

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.
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The power of long term networking

Posted December 10, 2012 - 3:39 pm

I was speaking to a group of recent college graduates who all had the good fortune of being hired into the same company's IT consulting practice and were in the process of going through an intensive introductory training program. I would like to tell you what I told them.
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Being a specialist or generalist: A techie’s dilemma

Posted September 10, 2012 - 3:02 pm

The decision to become a specialist in a particular technical area or to be a generalist with average level skill in many technical areas may be one of the most important decisions you make in your professional life, and this is why.
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6 Ways to start thinking like a CIO and now it can help you get there

Posted September 4, 2012 - 11:12 am

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.
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8 ways a career coach can help your career

Posted April 10, 2012 - 7:35 am

I want to begin this blog by saying that I am not a career coach, I just think they provide great value.
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6 ways to help manage your boss

Posted April 2, 2012 - 10:01 pm

The first thing you must do to properly manage your boss is to be the best employee you can be.
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Can techies boost their salaries without becoming managers?

Posted March 13, 2012 - 7:18 am

I’m currently a Java technical lead at a large financial services company. My problem is that I love being a hands-on software developer but believe I have to go into management to increase my pay. Is this true and what do you suggest?
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6 great social media jobs within IT

Posted January 3, 2012 - 12:40 pm

Are there any social media related jobs within a traditional IT group? Yes, there are ...
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Your technology skills have a two year half-life and 6 ways to stay current

Posted October 24, 2011 - 5:03 pm

Question: Professionally I customize software modules on a well known software package. The version we are working on is one version back and about a year old. Is continuing to work on this old software version hurting my professional marketability?
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Your hobbies can help your career

Posted October 3, 2011 - 8:28 pm

Are you a techie by day and a dancer by night? How about a writer, football coach, musician, or car repair enthusiast? If so, this column is for you.
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5 important presentation tips for techies

Posted September 19, 2011 - 9:07 am

Help! I’m a .NET developer and was just asked to make a formal 30 minute presentation to senior management on the business intelligence system I just built. What do I do?
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Building your personal brand

Posted August 22, 2011 - 10:15 pm

Whether you are looking for a job, pushing for a promotion, trying to start your own company, or looking for a date to your sister’s wedding, building your personal brand can be of great help. This week’s blog can help you with the above three listed professional goals. Regarding your sister’s wedding, you’re on your own.
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An MBA or a Master's in Computer Science? It’s your call.

Posted July 25, 2011 - 12:24 pm

Two years ago I graduated from college with a degree in computer science from a great engineering school. Now that I have a couple of years work experience under my belt, I want to begin a part-time master’s program. Should I get an MBA or a Master's in Computer Science?
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Want more money? Learn new high-demand technologies.

Posted July 18, 2011 - 5:31 pm

Early in my career I was given some great advice. I was told to read the Sunday help wanted ads in my local newspaper like it was the sports page. I thought this was a ridiculous idea until I was told why.
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When to take old information off your resume

Posted July 6, 2011 - 6:45 am

I've been in IT for a long time and am currently updating my resume. I'm not sure what things I should/should not include from the early part of my career. Any advice?
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Top 10 reasons to get a PMP certification, even if you’re a seasoned pro

Posted June 27, 2011 - 10:21 am

I have about ten years experience working as a project manager. Is it worthwhile for me to get my PMP certification or have I worked long enough that I don’t really need it?
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COBOL programmers have options, but must ask themselves what they want to do, and learn

Posted June 20, 2011 - 11:45 am

I’m a COBOL programmer with about 30 years of experience and have been out of work for just over two years. Is it too late for me to learn new marketable skills? If not, what should I learn?
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Helpdesk support technician wants more

Posted May 23, 2011 - 8:41 pm

I have worked for the last two years as a help desk support technician. I have a good reputation with the people I help and like the work. The thing is, I’m getting really bored. A job at the company opened for a second shift operator in the data center. Do you think I should take it?
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How to tell if someone is lying

Posted August 26, 2010 - 5:03 pm

If you're the suspicious type, you probably just assume that your boss is lying to you. Now, thanks to David Larcker and Anastasia Zakolyukina of Stanford's Graduate School of Business, you can know for sure.
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Career advice: Making your mark in software programming

Posted April 13, 2010 - 8:05 am

One of the best ways to raise your professional profile is to take the time to measure what you're doing. Did your group upgrade some software to make a program module run twice as fast as before? Let people know.
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