Evolving technolgy, baby boomer retirement, and jobs

[11011110000]

Technology is constantly evolving and certain positions in the industry are likely to disappear due to advances, while new jobs, not yet thought of, will need to be staffed due to technological advances.

My situation is that I have been in IT for over 10 years and I no longer derive the satisfaction from the field that existed a couple of years ago, save for a few moments that I am able to use some thinking skills to solve a problem.

Lately, I have been thinking of the future, and where I will be, given the changes in the field and the baby boomer retirements.

I love to learn and have a masters degree in education with a specialization in business and computers. The options available for consideration, that I have been kicking around, include: a masters in IT/InfoSec/etc.; an MBA with a concentration in tech management; an MBA with a concentration in management or marketing or leadership; a masters in management; a masters in educational technology. I have taught adjunct college classes before and would like to teach again, either full time or at least part time. Without a PhD (which I dream of getting, but most likely never will) I am under no illusion of attaining a full time, tenured faculty position, though I would welcome teaching at a 2-year college.

The best opportunities for future college jobs are in comp sci, engineering, health services, and business. Therefore, an MBA would seem to leave more options for the future, inside and outside academia.

Staying in a hands-on technology position for a couple of more decades does not appeal to me, even though I have always said I would prefer to do hands-on work. Also, given the changes in the field, my position could go away in a few years and I would have to find another technology niche. Although learning something new would be easy and not pose any problems whatsoever, it would lead me down the same path I am currently on.

I do enjoy technology, but, at the same time I feel so constrained, and want to do something else. If I got an MBA then I could go into management and parlay that job, possibly into teaching and consulting. Or stay on the tech side and teach in the field and do consulting on the side.

Getting your opinions on my situation would be welcome.

 

[11011110000]

Other ideas I have been considering include: a masters in educational research; a masters in measurement and evaluation; a masters in educational media; a masters in reading; a masters in instructional design. These are in addition to the ones listed above, but are all in the education field.

 

[KenCunningham]

You obviously derive great satisfaction from teaching and I think that's your niche, having the great advantage that teachers will always be needed (if not always satisfactorily remunerated), regardless of shifts in the technology used. As you correctly point out, you can always keep in touch with the dark side by consulting. Good luck anyway.

 

[mmorancbt]

I am a big believer in following your passion with a focus on necessary return. Meaning, if your passion is building things with legos, you had better have an income source in place first.

Fortunately, in your case, you could probably consult - some technical, some managerial, derive an income - and at the same time, pursue some type of teaching or instructional endeavor.

I consult IT companies - at times providing hands-on programming, network scripting, etc. - but more of my consulting is now strategic technology utilization and sales & marketing approaches for service companies.

I left a Financial Services company where I served as CIO to pursue writing. When I walked away, I was making $160,000/year and had an equity position. There were many who thought I was crazy. Maybe they were right. But niche consulting allowed me to pursue writing, my passion from when I was very young.

I was able to sell & publish numerous articles and now have my first book being released by a major publisher. A second book has been optioned and I was just referred to another major publisher who wants to see my third!

I still consult as the major source of my income but I have been paid a decent some for recent speaking engagements and have only begun marketing that service.

The idea is this: If you have a passion that drives you - and one that dovetails into some type of income producing endeavor - chances are you can start moving in that direction prior to any new degree (you sound like you have a fair amount of education already). Move in that direction now and find areas of specialized opportunity.

Your passion in a given area (as long as it is not building lego castles) will probably be able to yield an income. And if you have marketable technology skills, you can slowly shift your primary income production from one to the other.

Most important: Don't wait. Start immediately, just start wisely. Instead of incurring the risk and stress of stopping all income to pursue a new endeavor, start with a few hours a week and a transitional game-plan.

That's my opinion!


Matthew Moran

http://www.cbtoolkit.com