| Topic Name: |
IT Management/Consulting |
| Message Name: |
Next Steps |
| Date Posted: |
09/01/2003 |
| Message: |
Hi Everyone -- I would really appreciate some intelligent and knowledgeable insight/advice to my 'problem'.
I graduated from a competitive liberal arts college with a degree in Computer Science in May 2001. Right now, I work as a Senior Database Developer/Business Intelligence specialist in an NYC ecommerce firm, and I earn a bit less than $100,000. I am right now pursuing my MCDBA (Microsoft Certified Database Administrator) certifications. I hope to also pursue Oracle and Cognos certifications sometime in the near future.
I am having problems making up my mind on what career path(s) to take over the next 5 years.
Firstly, I am thinking of applying to an MBA program (in one of the top schools), starting Fall 2005. If I graduated with an MBA in 2007 (29 years old), from what I see the only option I have is Consulting, specifically IT Consulting. Does this career path mean I will have to lose my technical skills? My fear is that much greater focus on the business side of work (which Consulting involves) will lead to my losing the technical skills I have worked so hard to develop. I understand that I cannot be a Programmer forever, but I feel that these technical skills are a wonderful safety net for job security, especially given the horrible job market we have all experienced. I have never been laid off, but I know that with the technical skills I have, if I was to be on the job market, I would have a much better chance of getting a new offer than many of the people who I 'report' to at work, such as the IT Directors and Project Managers.
Is it wise to quit my job in the next few years to pursue an MBA full-time?
What options would I have when I graduated?
Would I be looking at a significant pay increase, given what I would be making (assuming I get good raises) just before I begin my program?
Do I have better marketability by putting more focus on my technical skills as I am doing now, or is it adviseable to try to move into management/consulting by focusing more on the business side of things with or without an MBA?
As you can see, I am avery confused person! I would really appreciate any help!!! ....
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