| Topic Name: |
Career switch in my late 30's, Imperative that I get it right! |
| Message Name: |
Let's see |
| Date Posted: |
02/03/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
Since Johnathan was able to receive such good advice, I thought I would continue this thread and try myself.
I too am trying to make a career change in my mid 30's. I am a 36 year old female with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. My degree concentration was in Computer Engineering.
I've spent the last 12 years working my way up the ladder from rung #1 through the Utility, Manufacturing and Controls ranks. I've lived and worked all over the U.S. and my latest achievement was as a Corporate level Project Manager in San Francisco with an Energy Services provider.
I just recently moved back to my home state and decided to try to enter the High Tech arena as an IT Project Manager and I'm not having any luck.
Just recently I interviewed with Compuware Corporation where they told me that my PM experience was "too light" and therefore were not interested in me. However, during my interviews I learned that I had already performed many of the duties and functions that one of my interviewer's described as his job - he was a Director there. It was also implied to me by Compuware that it is almost impossible to get an IT PM job without having spent years and years of writing code etc.
Is this the norm? Should I discontinue my desire to switch over to IT? I have read so many articles about these successful people who get into IT without even having a technical background - at least I have that.
Thanks so much!
MSB |
| Message: |
I recruit for a number of clents up in San Francisco and it seems as though contractorsand good IT professionals have more work than they can shake a stick at. Why did you leave San Francisco?
I think what you need to identify what you want out your career, your marketable skill set and target some specific industries to research. You should also utilize the network of colleagues you've worked with in the past. Also work with a retainer based search firm like the one I work for which can give honest feedback as to your career and how we go about making you marketable again. Don't use a contigency shop, its numbers game. If you want to contact me, send an email and I'll respond.
You know the other problem is that most companies don't have good interviewers. How can anything good come out an interview when a 4 interviews a 10? Get my drift?
|
|
